PAGING MR. HERMAN

When I first watched Pee-Wee's Big Adventure on VHS at my friend Ben's house my rubbery 11-year-old mind was exploding. We'd discovered the perfect film and watched it two more times in row to make sure. Then his parents had to shut it down, so we might go T.F. to sleep, but not before our faces were sore from laughing. Today's passing reminded me that was a thing that could happen.

I've laughed very possibly thousands of times since then recalling moments from the movie, reciting lines, rewatching it, riding a bike, looking at snakes at Petco, eating Mr. T cereal, drawing Rube Goldberg machines, seeing animals made from fiberglass, big bathtubs, a ragtop convertible, or outlaw bikers. I went to the Alamo once and it was funny too. So creative and deeply, meaningfully silly. Joy.

Thank you, Pee-W-- er. Paul.