Finally the glory of pure glory of Pee-wee’s Playhouse is coming to high definition! The Saturday morning weirdness was shot on 35mm so now you can see even more of the sets and actors. While there is no release date, Shout! Factory is promising a Blu-ray of the complete series including the legendary Christmas special.
Los Angeles, California – July 18, 2013 – Shout! Factory announced they are bringing Paul Reubens’ groundbreaking TV series PEE-WEE’S PLAYHOUSE to the home entertainment marketplace and a variety of digital entertainment platforms. Shout! Factory recently secured extensive distribution rights to all 45 episodes of PEE-WEE’S PLAYHOUSE and PEE-WEE’S CHRISTMAS SPECIAL, including worldwide home entertainment, select digital rights and broadcast for cross-platform releases. The announcement was made today by Shout! Factory’s founders Richard Foos, Bob Emmer and Garson Foos.
“We could not be more excited to collaborate with Paul Reubens on this fantastic venture. PEE-WEE’S PLAYHOUSE is a cultural touchstone for a generation, and its visually dynamic design and offbeat sense of humor were a genuine phenomenon,” stated Shout! Factory’s founders. “We are thrilled that this extensive restoration project is underway and look forward to presenting the series, for the first time in incredible high-definition and with behind-the-scenes bonus material. Fans will experience PEE-WEE’S PLAYHOUSE as never before and share it with a new generation audience.”
Shout! Factory announces a full-range of bonus content is currently in development for PEE-WEE’S PLAYHOUSE: THE COMPLETE SERIES multi-disc, Blu-ray box set. The company plans an aggressive rollout of this definitive complete series Blu-ray collection and individual seasons in 2014.
Paul Reubens, star and creator of the series, commenting on the collaboration, stated, “The restoration has made Pee-wee’s Playhouse look astonishing. This has been an enormous undertaking and I am truly excited to work with Shout! Factory.”
For over 25 years, the enormously popular Pee-wee Herman and innovative television series PEE-WEE’S PLAYHOUSE, created by, and starring Paul Reubens, has captured a special place in the hearts of millions of viewers, young and old. Since its initial premiere on CBS in 1986, this multiple Emmy®-winning children’s program became Saturday morning appointment viewing for kids in the 80s and 90s and has been a staple in the pop culture zeitgeist ever since. TV Guide named PEE-WEE’S PLAYHOUSE “one of the top ten cult television classics of all time. “
PEE-WEE’S PLAYHOUSE is an educational, artistic and entertaining show that teaches kids strong ‘life lessons’. With it’s innovative production design and brimming with Reubens’ rich original characters and humor, PEE-WEE’S PLAYHOUSE is a magical place that sparks creativity and imagination—and brings joy to children and adults alike. Parents and grown-ups have always enjoyed the show’s many double entendres. The series features beloved regulars Cowboy Curtis (Laurence Fishburne), Reba the Mail Lady (S. Epatha Merkerson), Miss Yvonne (Lynne Marie Stewart), Captain Carl (Phil Hartman), The King of Cartoons (William Marshall), Jambi the Genie (John Paragon), Ricardo (Vic Trevino) and Mrs. Rene (Suzanne Kent). And of course, Chairry, Pterri, Conky, Magic Screen, Clocky, Cool Cat, Dirty Dog, Chicky Baby, Penny, the Dinosaur family, and the rest of the gang!
Over the course of its original five-year run on television, PEE-WEE’S PLAYHOUSE garnered 22 Emmys®, Parent’s Choice Award, TV Critics Award, and numerous other honors and accolades.
Here’s an interview conducted at the Full Frame Documentary Film Festival with Wayne White, who was a puppeteer on Pee-Wee’s Playhouse. He admits to his state of mind while making the show.
