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A screen-matched, light-up blue Roadmaster bicycle from Chuck's Bike-O-Rama from Tim Burton's Pee-Wee's Big Adventure. After picking up his newly-improved bicycle horn from his close friend and bike mechanic Dottie (Elizabeth Daily) at Chuck's Bike-O-Rama, Pee-Wee Herman (Paul Reubens) passed by a blue Roadmaster bicycle for sale before exiting the shop and discovering, to his horror, that his beloved and highly-personalized red bicycle had been stolen while he was inside Chuck's, thereby setting in motion the titular "big adventure" as Pee-Wee journeyed across the United States to find his stolen bicycle. Distinctive bending to the custom rear rack to the bike -- in addition to customizations not found in stock 1950s Roadmaster bikes, notably the two-tone blue paint scheme, the handlebars and tires used -- screen-match to the sequence.
Pee-Wee's Big Adventure was director Tim Burton's first feature-length film and his first of many collaborations with his since-frequent composer Danny Elfman. It launched Burton's career and led to him helming Beetlejuice (1988) and Batman (1989). It also introduced Pee-Wee to audiences everywhere, and laid the groundwork for sequels, appearances, and the popular children's television series Pee-Wee's Playhouse.
This Roadmaster bicycle with light blue embellishments separated by a thin red pinstripe features such custom modifications as mud guards, a functional headlight, and a rear rack all finished in blue to match the main frame of the bike. It also features Roadmaster labels with a horn that functions via a button on the "tank"; whitewalled tires; a black leather saddle; a kickstand; and a reflector on the rear. The handlebars and tires are of the same style and type used by Pedal Pusher on Pee-Wee's bike, which they made for the film. The lot shows evidence of wear consistent with on-set use, handling, and age; including paint chipping and staining to the whitewalls. Dimensions: 77" x 29" x 43" (195.75 cm x 73.75 cm x 109.25 cm)
Additional Provenance: Copies of a Oct. 23, 1984 purchase order for multiple bicycles from the Pedal Pusher bicycle shop (misspelled "Peddle" on the document), which also supplied Pee-Wee Herman's famous bicycle for the film, and a contract from the later sale of the bicycle by the prop house.
Special shipping required; see notice in the Buyer's Guide.
Contains electronic and mechanical components; see notice in the Buyer's Guide.
Estimate: $4,000 - 8,000
View all lots from PEE-WEE'S BIG ADVENTURE (1985)
This item comes with a Propstore Certificate of Authenticity.