PEE-WEE HERMAN’S BICYCLE RIDDEN BY PAUL REUBENS IN HIS FIRST FEATURE-LENGTH FILM
Los Angeles, California – April 25, 2025 – Van Eaton Galleries, the premier gallery and auction house for Disneyana, classic animation and pop culture has announced the “Pop Culture: Collection of Jay Ward” auction to take place May 3, 2025 and May 4, 2025. The highlight of the massive auction is the most famous bicycle in entertainment history – Pee-wee Herman’s screen used bicycle ridden by Paul Reubens.
With his short pants, iconic voice, bow tie and childlike persona, Pee-wee Herman, personified by actor Paul Reubens, was a movie and television personality who became one of the biggest stars of television and film in a category all by himself. On May 3rd, the bicycle that Pee-wee rode and crashed into a curb will hit the auction block for the very first time in Los Angeles.
The screen used (Warner Brothers, 1985) stunt bicycle from “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure” is one of only 14 bikes used during production of the classic film. There were 13 created by Pedal Pusher vintage bike shop in Newport Beach, with this one custom-built by Gary Littlejohn, a stuntman who helped create the world’s first BMX bikes. This particular bicycle is one of the only surviving bikes that can be screen-matched to exact moments in the film.
The bike is seen as Pee-wee crashes into a curb and says “I meant to do that,” during the Warner Brothers lot chase as Pee-wee rockets over the house and Paul Reubens swings on a vine like Tarzan.
This is a rare opportunity to own one of the most iconic props of the 1980s, from the first feature-length film directed by Tim Burton.
Paul Reubens burst into celebrity as Pee-wee Herman with the success of his Groundlings Comedy Production “The Pee-Wee Herman Show” as an HBO Special in September of 1981 He quickly charmed audiences with his child-like naivete and joy for play. Warner Brothers hired Reubens to write a full-length Pee-wee Herman film, which he first conceived as a remake of Disney’s “Pollyanna” with Pee-wee in the title role. But noticing employees riding bikes around the studio lot, Reuben’s requested one of his own, and began writing “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure,” the unforgettable story of a boy and the most famous bicycle in cinema history.
In act three of the film, Reubens as Pee-wee is fleeing from security on the Warner Brothers lot when he and the bike swing across a lake Tarzan-style on a vine. This bike also makes the landing that immediately follows the vine, and the rocket-over-the-house ending in which Pee-wee escapes the Studio. This one-of-a-kind stunt bike frame and fork were custom-built by Gary Littlejohn who also was a pioneer designer in the early days of BMX bikes. The bike still exhibits wear from the original film usage. The bike bears a gleaming replica “Property of Pee-wee Herman” plaque behind the seat.
The “Pop Culture: Collection of Jay Ward” auction begins at 10:00 a.m. PT on May 3rd and wil continue on May 4th. Details of the massive auction can be viewed at vwww.vegalleries.com. The public exhibition of the auction takes place at Van Eaton Galleries located at 12160 Ventura Blvd in Studio City, California until May 1, 2025.
Celebrating 30 years in business, Van Eaton Galleries & Auctions is the go-place to find pop culture memorabilia, animation art, and Disneyana. In addition to major catalog and online auctions featuring impressive exhibitions, Van Eaton runs a retail gallery featuring production drawings and collectibles that is open to the public.
