Pee-wee’s Playhouse was the culmination of a character created back in the 70s by the multi-talented Paul Reubens. Reubens had joined the comedy group the Groundlings in the 70s. The Groundlings was the jumping-off point for several famous comedians and icons. This would include Phil Hartman, Lisa Kudrow, Cassandra Peterson, Craig T. Nelson, a who’s who list of SNL Alumni, Conan O’Brien, JJ Abrams, and well…just a lot of people.
A number of the troupe who were there when Reubens was a part of the Groundlings would wind up as part of not only Pee-wee’s Playhouse but also other Pee-wee projects. I mean…who can forget Cassandra Peterson, Aka Elvira, as the biker gang badass chick who wanted a go at Pee Wee first?
From his time creating the character at The Groundlings, Reubens had a go for Saturday Night Live which didn’t happen. After this, he...
A number of the troupe who were there when Reubens was a part of the Groundlings would wind up as part of not only Pee-wee’s Playhouse but also other Pee-wee projects. I mean…who can forget Cassandra Peterson, Aka Elvira, as the biker gang badass chick who wanted a go at Pee Wee first?
From his time creating the character at The Groundlings, Reubens had a go for Saturday Night Live which didn’t happen. After this, he...
- 1/8/2024
- by Jessica Dwyer
- JoBlo.com
There’s only one thing that comes to mind when you think of Elvira: franchise! And that’s exactly what Cassandra Peterson – portrayer of everyone’s favorite horror hostess – wanted following the release of Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, aiming to have the sort of success of Ernest P. Worrell. Knowwhatimean, Uncle Vinnie?
Unfortunately for Cassandra Peterson, she ran into some serious issues with a sequel to 1988’s Elvira, Mistress of the Dark (which was a box office bomb anyway) when the planned studio, Carolco Pictures, went bankrupt. But Peterson had plenty in the arsenal. As she told Dread Central, “I had a ton of [ideas] that were so awesome. I had this one called Elvira Goes to Hell, and it was like a buddy picture, and I really liked that one. It was really funny. It revolved around Halloween a little bit more and I would’ve gone more...
Unfortunately for Cassandra Peterson, she ran into some serious issues with a sequel to 1988’s Elvira, Mistress of the Dark (which was a box office bomb anyway) when the planned studio, Carolco Pictures, went bankrupt. But Peterson had plenty in the arsenal. As she told Dread Central, “I had a ton of [ideas] that were so awesome. I had this one called Elvira Goes to Hell, and it was like a buddy picture, and I really liked that one. It was really funny. It revolved around Halloween a little bit more and I would’ve gone more...
- 11/4/2023
- by Mathew Plale
- JoBlo.com
The Elvira’s Haunted Hills episode of The Black Sheep was Written and Narrated by Andrew Hatfield, Edited by Juan Jimenez, Produced by Lance Vlcek and John Fallon, and Executive Produced by Berge Garabedian.
It’s always fun to see some of our horror heroes appear outside of their given role as it were. We’ve seen Stephen King appear in tons of his story’s adaptations, but he also showed up in things not associated with him like Sons of Anarchy. Sure, you get athletes that try acting, some that are even successful, but how about our beloved horror hosts? Many of them only stayed on the critique end of the movie spectrum but a couple have made the jump. Joe Bob Briggs appeared in a segment of the recent Scare Package as well as a deleted scene from Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 but never got the spotlight in his own feature length film.
It’s always fun to see some of our horror heroes appear outside of their given role as it were. We’ve seen Stephen King appear in tons of his story’s adaptations, but he also showed up in things not associated with him like Sons of Anarchy. Sure, you get athletes that try acting, some that are even successful, but how about our beloved horror hosts? Many of them only stayed on the critique end of the movie spectrum but a couple have made the jump. Joe Bob Briggs appeared in a segment of the recent Scare Package as well as a deleted scene from Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 but never got the spotlight in his own feature length film.
- 8/9/2023
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
On the surface, the whimsy of Pee-wee’s Playhouse appears to be worlds apart from the solemnity of Boyz N the Hood, other than the curious resemblance between Cowboy Curtis and Furious Styles. But it’s no coincidence that Laurence Fishburne and other key creatives were part of both projects.
As a USC film student in the late 1980s, John Singleton spent one summer working as a security guard-slash-production assistant on the set of Pee-wee’s Playhouse. “John was the lowest of lowly PAs,” recalled Fishburne on Late Night with Conan O’Brien in 1995. “He was working on the door and his job was to stop people at the door and go, ‘Are you supposed to be here? Do you have the proper ID?’”
Singleton would press Fishburne for stories of working with Spike Lee, as the actor had appeared in School Daze a few months prior. The budding filmmaker...
As a USC film student in the late 1980s, John Singleton spent one summer working as a security guard-slash-production assistant on the set of Pee-wee’s Playhouse. “John was the lowest of lowly PAs,” recalled Fishburne on Late Night with Conan O’Brien in 1995. “He was working on the door and his job was to stop people at the door and go, ‘Are you supposed to be here? Do you have the proper ID?’”
Singleton would press Fishburne for stories of working with Spike Lee, as the actor had appeared in School Daze a few months prior. The budding filmmaker...
- 8/4/2023
- by Rebecca Sun
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The late, great Paul Reubens didn't just bring his chipper, friendly, well-dressed character Pee-wee Herman to television with "Pee-wee's Playhouse." He also brought total anarchy. In a children's television landscape dominated by poorly disguised toy commercials and wholesome live-action hosts, "Pee-wee's Playhouse" was a loud, chaotic, unapologetically strange (and sometimes controversial) TV series where anything can and, usually, did happen.
Hosted by Reubens, every episode featured Pee-wee Herman — decked out in a (let's be honest here) pretty stylish grey tailored suit and a little red bowtie — interacting with his anthropomorphic furniture, getting his wishes granted by strange deities, and getting visited by a cavalcade of friends. But these friends weren't the normal human beings who lived next door to Pee-wee in the hit film "Pee-wee's Big Adventure," who loved him or hated him, but never shared his kookiness. "Pee-wee's Playhouse" was populated by lovable goofballs just like Pee-wee himself,...
Hosted by Reubens, every episode featured Pee-wee Herman — decked out in a (let's be honest here) pretty stylish grey tailored suit and a little red bowtie — interacting with his anthropomorphic furniture, getting his wishes granted by strange deities, and getting visited by a cavalcade of friends. But these friends weren't the normal human beings who lived next door to Pee-wee in the hit film "Pee-wee's Big Adventure," who loved him or hated him, but never shared his kookiness. "Pee-wee's Playhouse" was populated by lovable goofballs just like Pee-wee himself,...
- 7/31/2023
- by William Bibbiani
- Slash Film
Forget the pleasantries, today sucks. Paul Reubens, best known for his incomparable work as Pee-wee Herman, has passed away. The weird, wacky, and wonderful comedy figure is one of the most influential creatives ever to do it, and left in his wake is an irreplaceable void of silly, absurdist joy. Reubens' created the character of Pee-wee Herman while performing with The Groundlings, the legendary improvisational comedy troupe boasting alumni like Laraine Newman, Pat Morita, Craig T. Nelson, Jon Lovitz, Adrienne Barbeau, Conan O'Brien, Phil Hartman, Phil Lamarr, Lisa Kudrow, Jennifer Coolidge, Will Ferrell, Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Melissa McCarthy, Will Forte, Annie Mumolo, Kaitlin Olson, Edi Patterson, Tony Cavalero, and a ridiculous number of other eventual "Saturday Night Live" players.
Pee-wee Herman was an immediate hit and led to Reubens writing, producing, directing, and starring in "The Pee-wee Herman Show." He quickly became a household name, and the Pee-wee character would get another show,...
Pee-wee Herman was an immediate hit and led to Reubens writing, producing, directing, and starring in "The Pee-wee Herman Show." He quickly became a household name, and the Pee-wee character would get another show,...
- 7/31/2023
- by BJ Colangelo
- Slash Film
Paul Reubens, known best by his character name Pee-wee Herman, died Sunday after a private six-year battle with cancer. He was 70.
“Please accept my apology for not going public with what I’ve been facing the last six years,” Reubens wrote on an Instagram message posted today. “I have always felt a huge amount of love and respect from my friends, fans and supporters. I have loved you all so much and enjoyed making art for you.”
The post’s caption, written by his estate, reads: “Last night we said farewell to Paul Reubens, an iconic American actor, comedian, writer and producer whose beloved character Pee-wee Herman delighted generations of children and adults with his positivity, whimsy and belief in the importance of kindness. Paul bravely and privately fought cancer for years with his trademark tenacity and wit. A gifted and prolific talent, he will forever live in the comedy...
“Please accept my apology for not going public with what I’ve been facing the last six years,” Reubens wrote on an Instagram message posted today. “I have always felt a huge amount of love and respect from my friends, fans and supporters. I have loved you all so much and enjoyed making art for you.”
The post’s caption, written by his estate, reads: “Last night we said farewell to Paul Reubens, an iconic American actor, comedian, writer and producer whose beloved character Pee-wee Herman delighted generations of children and adults with his positivity, whimsy and belief in the importance of kindness. Paul bravely and privately fought cancer for years with his trademark tenacity and wit. A gifted and prolific talent, he will forever live in the comedy...
- 7/31/2023
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Paul Reubens, who disappeared behind a tight gray suit and bright red bow tie to create and star as the awkward man-child Pee-wee Herman onstage, on a groundbreaking kids TV show and on the big screen, has died. He was 70.
His death in Los Angeles was announced Monday on his official Facebook page.
“Last night we said farewell to Paul Reubens, an iconic American actor, comedian, writer and producer whose beloved character Pee-wee Herman delighted generations of children and adults with his positivity, whimsy and belief in the importance of kindness,” a statement read. “Paul bravely and privately fought cancer for years with his trademark tenacity and wit. A gifted and prolific talent, he will forever live in the comedy pantheon and in our hearts as a treasured friend and man of remarkable character and generosity of spirit.”
Reubens created Pee-wee (named for a brand of harmonica he had when...
His death in Los Angeles was announced Monday on his official Facebook page.
“Last night we said farewell to Paul Reubens, an iconic American actor, comedian, writer and producer whose beloved character Pee-wee Herman delighted generations of children and adults with his positivity, whimsy and belief in the importance of kindness,” a statement read. “Paul bravely and privately fought cancer for years with his trademark tenacity and wit. A gifted and prolific talent, he will forever live in the comedy pantheon and in our hearts as a treasured friend and man of remarkable character and generosity of spirit.”
Reubens created Pee-wee (named for a brand of harmonica he had when...
- 7/31/2023
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
At one time, Paul Reubens and Phil Hartman had a symbiotic friendship, as many in Hollywood do.
Speaking with Westword's Simon Abrams whilst promoting his 2016 movie "Pee-wee's Big Holiday," Reubens remained as dedicated to his iconic man-child character as ever, and refreshingly hailed Russ Meyer's "Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!" as "one of the most underrated American films ever made." Looking back on his career, the American writer-comedian reminisced on his many collaborations that seem out of left field, including that with the late, great Hartman.
A fellow member of the L.A.-based Groundlings comedy sketch troupe when Reubens joined in the 1970s, Hartman (who joined the improv team in 1975) quickly hit it off with him. When the beginnings of an obnoxious character, inept at stand-up comedy, began to germinate in Reubens' mind, it was Hartman who helped him develop the character into the bowtie-wearing nerdball Pee-wee Herman. The...
Speaking with Westword's Simon Abrams whilst promoting his 2016 movie "Pee-wee's Big Holiday," Reubens remained as dedicated to his iconic man-child character as ever, and refreshingly hailed Russ Meyer's "Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!" as "one of the most underrated American films ever made." Looking back on his career, the American writer-comedian reminisced on his many collaborations that seem out of left field, including that with the late, great Hartman.
A fellow member of the L.A.-based Groundlings comedy sketch troupe when Reubens joined in the 1970s, Hartman (who joined the improv team in 1975) quickly hit it off with him. When the beginnings of an obnoxious character, inept at stand-up comedy, began to germinate in Reubens' mind, it was Hartman who helped him develop the character into the bowtie-wearing nerdball Pee-wee Herman. The...
- 1/16/2023
- by Anya Stanley
- Slash Film
Friends and family of actor/writer/director John Paragon paid tribute to him earlier this week, laying him to rest at Hollywood Forever in a unique urn that memorializes his character from Pee-Wee’s Playhouse, Jambi the Genie.
The purple and gold box containing his remains is a recreation of a similar Jambi box seen on the television show. It can be found at Abbey-Haven of Devotion, E-2 East wall, Niche D-3 at the cemetery, where many celebrities and Hollywood executives are interred.
Paragon died on April 3, 2021 at age 67 of heart disease complications. His ashes were stored by actress Cassandra Peterson (aka Elvira), who came up with the idea for the Jambi box with actor Paul Reubens (Pee-Wee Herman). A fundraiser on GoFundMe raised more than 14K toward the memorial celebration.
Paragon was a writer, director and performer in numerous television series and specials, He started with The Groundlings improv group,...
The purple and gold box containing his remains is a recreation of a similar Jambi box seen on the television show. It can be found at Abbey-Haven of Devotion, E-2 East wall, Niche D-3 at the cemetery, where many celebrities and Hollywood executives are interred.
Paragon died on April 3, 2021 at age 67 of heart disease complications. His ashes were stored by actress Cassandra Peterson (aka Elvira), who came up with the idea for the Jambi box with actor Paul Reubens (Pee-Wee Herman). A fundraiser on GoFundMe raised more than 14K toward the memorial celebration.
Paragon was a writer, director and performer in numerous television series and specials, He started with The Groundlings improv group,...
- 11/19/2022
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
It’s time for a new episode of our Revisited video series, and with this one we’re taking a moment to pay tribute to one of the most iconic horror hosts of all time, Elvira. The movie we’re covering is the 1988 horror comedy Elvira: Mistress of the Dark (watch it Here) – the Halloween season seemed like a perfect time to show Elvira some love – and you can find out all about it in the embed above!
Directed by James Signorelli from a screenplay written by Sam Egan, John Paragon, and Cassandra Peterson (a.k.a. Elvira herself), Elvira: Mistress of the Dark has the following synopsis:
The late night TV scream queen of horror makes her debut as a movie star in this manic comedy that is full of laughs. The mega-busted terror queen descends descends upon a conservative Massachusetts town to sell her late aunt’s estate.
Directed by James Signorelli from a screenplay written by Sam Egan, John Paragon, and Cassandra Peterson (a.k.a. Elvira herself), Elvira: Mistress of the Dark has the following synopsis:
The late night TV scream queen of horror makes her debut as a movie star in this manic comedy that is full of laughs. The mega-busted terror queen descends descends upon a conservative Massachusetts town to sell her late aunt’s estate.
- 10/20/2022
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
The age of 66 is still considered a bit too young, relatively speaking, for someone to pass away, but many are saying their goodbyes to John Paragon, better known as his character, Jambi, from Pee Wee’s Playhouse. This was far from the only role that Paragon took on during his career, but it was one of the most well-known, as well as one of the most respected since he stuck with Paul Reubens from the beginning of the show to the end as he acted and wrote for the show and even directed over the course of his career. The
Remembering John Paragon: Jambi Actor Was Just 66...
Remembering John Paragon: Jambi Actor Was Just 66...
- 6/28/2021
- by Tom
- TVovermind.com
John Paragon, best known for his role as Jambi the Genie on the television series “Pee-wee’s Playhouse,” has died. He was 66.
Paragon died in his residence in Palm Springs, Calif. on April 3, according to a press release from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department. A representative for the Sheriff’s Department confirmed to Variety that Paragon’s cause of death was heart disease and chronic alcohol abuse.
Born in Anchorage, Alaska on Dec. 9, 1954, Paragon got his start in show business as part of the L.A.-based improv group The Groundlings, where he worked alongside comics Paul Reubens and Phil Hartman. In 1986, Paragon reunited with Reubens on his Saturday morning children’s show “Pee-wee’s Playhouse,” in which Paragon portrayed the teal-faced Jambi the Genie and provided the voice for Pterri. In addition to his role on the series, Paragon also wrote 24 regular season episodes and co-wrote its 1988 Christmas special with Reubens,...
Paragon died in his residence in Palm Springs, Calif. on April 3, according to a press release from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department. A representative for the Sheriff’s Department confirmed to Variety that Paragon’s cause of death was heart disease and chronic alcohol abuse.
Born in Anchorage, Alaska on Dec. 9, 1954, Paragon got his start in show business as part of the L.A.-based improv group The Groundlings, where he worked alongside comics Paul Reubens and Phil Hartman. In 1986, Paragon reunited with Reubens on his Saturday morning children’s show “Pee-wee’s Playhouse,” in which Paragon portrayed the teal-faced Jambi the Genie and provided the voice for Pterri. In addition to his role on the series, Paragon also wrote 24 regular season episodes and co-wrote its 1988 Christmas special with Reubens,...
- 6/18/2021
- by Ellise Shafer
- Variety Film + TV
John Paragon, an actor, director and writer most familiar from his disembodied, teal-faced role of Jambi the Genie on Paul Reubens’ Pee-wee’s Playhouse, died April 3 in Palm Springs of unknown causes. He was 66.
Paragon’s death, only recently made public, was confirmed to Deadline by the Riverside County Coroner.
In addition to his work with frequent collaborator Reubens — he also voiced Pterri the Pterodactyl on Playhouse — Paragon is remembered by Seinfeld fans as Cedric, half of the couple Bob and Cedric who appeared occasionally to browbeat Michael Richards’ Kramer. In the famous episode “The Soup Nazi,” Paragon and actor Yul Vazquez, as Bob, stole an armoire that Kramer was guarding for Elaine (Julia-Louis Dreyfus).
Paragon was, like Reubens, a member of the Los Angeles comedy troupe the Groundlings, and contributed to the writing of early stage performances featuring the Pee-wee Herman character. The Jambi character carried over from the...
Paragon’s death, only recently made public, was confirmed to Deadline by the Riverside County Coroner.
In addition to his work with frequent collaborator Reubens — he also voiced Pterri the Pterodactyl on Playhouse — Paragon is remembered by Seinfeld fans as Cedric, half of the couple Bob and Cedric who appeared occasionally to browbeat Michael Richards’ Kramer. In the famous episode “The Soup Nazi,” Paragon and actor Yul Vazquez, as Bob, stole an armoire that Kramer was guarding for Elaine (Julia-Louis Dreyfus).
Paragon was, like Reubens, a member of the Los Angeles comedy troupe the Groundlings, and contributed to the writing of early stage performances featuring the Pee-wee Herman character. The Jambi character carried over from the...
- 6/18/2021
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
John Paragon, the actor and comedian best known for playing Jambi the Genie on “Pee-wee’s Playhouse,” has died at age 66.
TMZ reported Paragon passed away in April of unknown causes.
Paragon got his start performing improv at The Groundlings alongside classmates like Paul Reubens, Phil Hartman and Cassandra Peterson, all of whom he would work with later in his career.
He made his TV debut in “The Pee-wee Herman Show,” a stage show developed by Reubens in 1980. Paragon reprised his role as the sassy genie Jambi in “Pee-wee’s Playhouse,” which ran from 1986-90, and he even wrote and directed several episodes of the beloved children’s show. In 1988, he and Reubens co-wrote “Pee-wee’s Playhouse Christmas Special,” which earned an Emmy nomination for Best Writing in a Children’s Special.
Paragon returned to his performance as Jambi in the Broadway adaptation of the “Pee-wee Herman” stage show in 2010.
Paragon’s other TV credits include “Cheers,...
TMZ reported Paragon passed away in April of unknown causes.
Paragon got his start performing improv at The Groundlings alongside classmates like Paul Reubens, Phil Hartman and Cassandra Peterson, all of whom he would work with later in his career.
He made his TV debut in “The Pee-wee Herman Show,” a stage show developed by Reubens in 1980. Paragon reprised his role as the sassy genie Jambi in “Pee-wee’s Playhouse,” which ran from 1986-90, and he even wrote and directed several episodes of the beloved children’s show. In 1988, he and Reubens co-wrote “Pee-wee’s Playhouse Christmas Special,” which earned an Emmy nomination for Best Writing in a Children’s Special.
Paragon returned to his performance as Jambi in the Broadway adaptation of the “Pee-wee Herman” stage show in 2010.
Paragon’s other TV credits include “Cheers,...
- 6/18/2021
- by Madeline Roth
- The Wrap
We love Cassandra Peterson, a smart woman who made a go of horror host work in the tough Los Angeles TV market, long after the short-lived Vampira and just a few years after the passing of Sinister Seymour. After Elvira’s Movie Macabre she got to make this lively comedy feature, and thus planted her stake in the cinema firmament while at the top of her game. I’d give it an A+ for nostalgic sentiment, a B for quality and a B+ for wit, even if the adult humor does skew a bit infantile. Well, that was part of the Elvira personality too!
Elvira, Mistress of the Dark
Blu-ray
Arrow Video
1988 / Color / 1:85 widescreen / 96 min. / Street Date April 28, 2020 / 39.95
Starring: Cassandra Peterson, William Morgan Sheppard, Daniel Greene, Susan Kellerman, Jeff Conaway, Edie McClurg, William Duell.
Cinematography: Hanania Baer
Film Editor: Battle Davis
Original Music: James B. Campbell
Written by Sam Egan,...
Elvira, Mistress of the Dark
Blu-ray
Arrow Video
1988 / Color / 1:85 widescreen / 96 min. / Street Date April 28, 2020 / 39.95
Starring: Cassandra Peterson, William Morgan Sheppard, Daniel Greene, Susan Kellerman, Jeff Conaway, Edie McClurg, William Duell.
Cinematography: Hanania Baer
Film Editor: Battle Davis
Original Music: James B. Campbell
Written by Sam Egan,...
- 7/25/2020
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
John Paragon, the actor who played Jambi the Genie on "Pee-wee's Playhouse," is being accused by a neighbor of repeatedly screaming at her to "shut her f***ing dog up!!!" and he tells TMZ ... guilty as charged. Elizabeth MacPherson has filed for a restraining order, claiming John has a thing against her and her dog, once screaming at her for 4 hours ... "Shut that f***ing dog up asshole." She also claims he said, "I'm going...
- 4/27/2017
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
Last year, German distributor Cinespectral Films announced their plans to honor the Queen of Halloween with a limited edition, all-region Blu-ray of Elvira, Mistress of the Dark (1988), and today they've released the full details and pre-order information for the anticipated home media release.
Limited to 3,000 overall items, the Elvira, Mistress of the Dark Blu-ray / DVD is available in three different cover art versions (limited to 1,000 apiece) and is slated for an April 24th release. Pre-orders are now open, and you can check out the full list of special features and cover art selections below. To learn more, visit Movie2Shop and Cinespectral Films.
Press Release: Elvira, Mistress Of The Dark Finally Busts Out In A Strictly Limited Collector’S Edition Blu-Ray Set On April 24th 2017! 3000 Copies Only!
Cinespectral Films proudly presents the 1988 cult comedy: Elvira, Mistress of the Dark for the first time ever on Blu-ray, in glorious all-new restored High Definition.
Limited to 3,000 overall items, the Elvira, Mistress of the Dark Blu-ray / DVD is available in three different cover art versions (limited to 1,000 apiece) and is slated for an April 24th release. Pre-orders are now open, and you can check out the full list of special features and cover art selections below. To learn more, visit Movie2Shop and Cinespectral Films.
Press Release: Elvira, Mistress Of The Dark Finally Busts Out In A Strictly Limited Collector’S Edition Blu-Ray Set On April 24th 2017! 3000 Copies Only!
Cinespectral Films proudly presents the 1988 cult comedy: Elvira, Mistress of the Dark for the first time ever on Blu-ray, in glorious all-new restored High Definition.
- 3/7/2017
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
Hop in the Macabre Mobile and keep a tight hold on the lid of your casserole dish, because Elvira, Mistress of the Dark (1988) is finally coming to Blu-ray this April.
Following its initial announcement last year, EW reports that German distributor Cinespectral Films will release Elvira, Mistress of the Dark on a three-disc Blu-ray set (confirmed by Cinespectral to be region free) on April 24th. Featuring a 4K scan of the movie's initial interpositive, this home media release is limited to 3,000 items and will include two Blu-ray discs and a Pal DVD.
Collectors can choose between three different cover art choices (including the new artwork below by Andreas Marschall), with each option limited to 1,000 items. EW reveals that the Blu-ray bonus features will include the following:
Three audio commentaries: 2012 track with Cassandra Peterson, Edie McClurg, and John Paragon; new commentary with director James Signorelli moderated by former Fangoria editor Tony Timpone...
Following its initial announcement last year, EW reports that German distributor Cinespectral Films will release Elvira, Mistress of the Dark on a three-disc Blu-ray set (confirmed by Cinespectral to be region free) on April 24th. Featuring a 4K scan of the movie's initial interpositive, this home media release is limited to 3,000 items and will include two Blu-ray discs and a Pal DVD.
Collectors can choose between three different cover art choices (including the new artwork below by Andreas Marschall), with each option limited to 1,000 items. EW reveals that the Blu-ray bonus features will include the following:
Three audio commentaries: 2012 track with Cassandra Peterson, Edie McClurg, and John Paragon; new commentary with director James Signorelli moderated by former Fangoria editor Tony Timpone...
- 2/28/2017
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
It's back and better than ever -- the makers of Pee-Wee's Playhouse capped their Saturday morning show with a Christmas Special to end all Christmas Specials. All the show's regular characters, special treats and creative extravagances are enhanced with a tall stack of celebrity guests, performers and walk-ons -- it's a 1988 time capsule. Pee-Wee's Playhouse Christmas Special Blu-ray Shout! Factory 1988 / Color / 1:33 flat / 49 min. / Christmas at Pee-Wee's Playhouse / Street Date October 6, 2015 / 19.97 Starring Paul Reubens, Annette Funicello, Frankie Avalon, Grace Jones, k.d. lang, Dinah Shore, Little Richard, Cher, Del Rubio Triplets, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Whoopi Goldberg, Oprah Winfrey, Joan Rivers, Charo, Laurence Fishburne, Kevin Carlson, Ric Heitzman, Suzanne Kent, William Marshall, George Mcgrath, S. Epatha Merkerson, Alison Mork, John Paragon, Lynne Marie Stewart, Vic Trevino. Cinematography David Lewis Film Editor Billy Fox Original Music Van Dyke Parks Written by John Paragon, Paul Reubens Produced by Steve Binder Directed by Wayne Orr,...
- 12/8/2015
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Shout! Factory has announced that they have officially secured the distribution rights for the Emmy Award-winning “Pee-wee’s Playhouse”, the popular kids show starring Paul Reubens that ran every Saturday morning from 1986-1991. With the media company’s latest acquisition, all of the episodes from the series are currently being remastered and prepared for a huge Blu-ray box set that will include all 45 episodes as well as bonus content that’s due to arrive in 2014.
“We could not be more excited to collaborate with Paul Reubens on this fantastic venture,” stated Shout! founders Richard Foos, Bob Emmer and Garson Foos. “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.”
Press Release –
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...
“We could not be more excited to collaborate with Paul Reubens on this fantastic venture,” stated Shout! founders Richard Foos, Bob Emmer and Garson Foos. “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.”
Press Release –
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...
- 7/19/2013
- by Adam B.
- GeekRest
Black Sunday: Remastered Edition (1960) Lorber Films Blu-ray and DVD Available Now
One of director Mario Bava’s most acclaimed works, Black Sunday is a strikingly photographed “old dark castle” thriller revolving around witchcraft and possession. Barbara Steele (Piranha) gives a hypnotic performance as Katia, the unfortunate look-alike descendent of a witch who intends to possess her. This highly influential film, also shot by Bava, was the precursor to countless American and European gothic horrors. This is the uncut European print with a few extra minutes of footage, a different English track and Robert Nicolosi’s haunting original score. After years of ugly public domain releases, Black Sunday is finally being presented in its original aspect ratio with a high definition transfer struck from a pristine 35Mm archival print.
Special Features:
• Audio commentary by Tim Lucas (author of Mario Bava: All the Colors of the Dark).
• Original Bava theatrical trailers.
One of director Mario Bava’s most acclaimed works, Black Sunday is a strikingly photographed “old dark castle” thriller revolving around witchcraft and possession. Barbara Steele (Piranha) gives a hypnotic performance as Katia, the unfortunate look-alike descendent of a witch who intends to possess her. This highly influential film, also shot by Bava, was the precursor to countless American and European gothic horrors. This is the uncut European print with a few extra minutes of footage, a different English track and Robert Nicolosi’s haunting original score. After years of ugly public domain releases, Black Sunday is finally being presented in its original aspect ratio with a high definition transfer struck from a pristine 35Mm archival print.
Special Features:
• Audio commentary by Tim Lucas (author of Mario Bava: All the Colors of the Dark).
• Original Bava theatrical trailers.
- 9/27/2012
- by Bradley Harding
- Planet Fury
If you didn’t grow up during the late-80′s/early-90′s, you may not remember the Barbarian Brothers. Peter and David Paul were muscle-bound body builders known for their extreme dedication to their craft. One look at their impossibly chiseled physique and you knew you were dealing with a different breed of weight-lifter. In 1987, someone got the bright idea to cast the siblings in a fantasy flick called “The Barbarians”, a film I vaguely recall during the late-night Cinemax escapades of my youth. The film must have been a moderate success, as the brothers found themselves in a small batch of like-minded action/comedies which focused on the fact that they were big, they were strong, and, more importantly, they were twins. Enter John Paragon’s 1992 epic “Double Trouble”, a buddy cop flick which finds the two brothers joining forces to take down the dastardly son-of-a-bitch behind a high-stakes jewel smuggling operation.
- 2/28/2012
- by Todd Rigney
- Beyond Hollywood
Austin, TX - Billy Bob Thorton’s, The King of Luck, documentary on Willie Nelson, will screen Saturday, March 19 for the Closing Night at the SXSW Film Festival.
The World Premiere film explores Willie Nelson “the man, the songwriter, the friend, the father, legendary performer and champion of the family farmer.”
Also announced today, a work-in-progress version of the Judd Apatow produced ‘Bridesmaids,’ will screen. The film is directed by Paul Feig, and stars Kristin Wig and Annie Mumolo.
Rainn Wilson’s short film, The Blitzen Trapper Massacre, will be having it’s World Premiere as well, Umshini Wam, a short film from Harmony Korine featuring South African act Die Antwoord, and Hit So Hard, P. David Ebersole’s documentary on Hole drummer Patty Schemel, among others will screen.
Read more announced titles below.
Press Release
SXSW Film Announces 2011 Closing Night & Additional Titles
Thornton’s The King of Luck, Work...
The World Premiere film explores Willie Nelson “the man, the songwriter, the friend, the father, legendary performer and champion of the family farmer.”
Also announced today, a work-in-progress version of the Judd Apatow produced ‘Bridesmaids,’ will screen. The film is directed by Paul Feig, and stars Kristin Wig and Annie Mumolo.
Rainn Wilson’s short film, The Blitzen Trapper Massacre, will be having it’s World Premiere as well, Umshini Wam, a short film from Harmony Korine featuring South African act Die Antwoord, and Hit So Hard, P. David Ebersole’s documentary on Hole drummer Patty Schemel, among others will screen.
Read more announced titles below.
Press Release
SXSW Film Announces 2011 Closing Night & Additional Titles
Thornton’s The King of Luck, Work...
- 3/3/2011
- by Albert Art
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
The South by Southwest Film Conference and Festival revealed today that its closing night film this year will be the world premiere of Bill Bob Thornton‘s documentary on Willie Nelson, The King of Luck. They also announced additional titles to the fest, including a work-in-progress screening of Bridesmaids, starring Kristen Wiig and produced by Judd Apatow, and a short from Harmony Korine. More info on the closing night film and additional titles can be found below.
SXSW will take place March 11-19 in Austin, Texas. Read full list of features here; Midnight, SXFantastic and shorts here.
Closing Night Film
The King of Luck
Director: Billy Bob Thornton
This is a documentary about Willie Nelson: the man, the songwriter, the friend, the father, legendary performer and champion of the family farmer. (World Premiere)
Special Events
Bridesmaids (Work In Progress)
Director: Paul Feig, Writers: Annie Mumolo & Kristen Wiig
Kristen Wiig leads the cast as Annie,...
SXSW will take place March 11-19 in Austin, Texas. Read full list of features here; Midnight, SXFantastic and shorts here.
Closing Night Film
The King of Luck
Director: Billy Bob Thornton
This is a documentary about Willie Nelson: the man, the songwriter, the friend, the father, legendary performer and champion of the family farmer. (World Premiere)
Special Events
Bridesmaids (Work In Progress)
Director: Paul Feig, Writers: Annie Mumolo & Kristen Wiig
Kristen Wiig leads the cast as Annie,...
- 3/2/2011
- by Jason Guerrasio
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
By Sean O’Connell
Hollywoodnews.com: The South by Southwest Film Conference and Festival announced that Billy Bob Thornton’s “The King of Luck,” a documentary about Willie Nelson, will be thus year’s Closing Night Film, screening on Saturday, March 19.
In addition, SXSW announced more features and shorts for the 2011 event, including a work-in-progress screening of Paul Feig’s “Bridesmaids,” starring (and co-written by) Kristen Wiig and produced by Judd Apatow; “Umshini Wam,” a short film from Harmony Korine featuring South African act Die Antwoord; and “Hit So Hard,” P. David Ebersole’s documentary on Hole drummer Patty Schemel, among others.
HollywoodNews.com will be reporting from this year’s SXSW, which runs March 11-19, in Austin, Texas. For details on the complete film and conference lineup, visit www.sxsw.com/film.
Additional Films in the 2011 SXSW Film Festival include:
Headliners
“The King of Luck”
Director: Billy Bob Thornton...
Hollywoodnews.com: The South by Southwest Film Conference and Festival announced that Billy Bob Thornton’s “The King of Luck,” a documentary about Willie Nelson, will be thus year’s Closing Night Film, screening on Saturday, March 19.
In addition, SXSW announced more features and shorts for the 2011 event, including a work-in-progress screening of Paul Feig’s “Bridesmaids,” starring (and co-written by) Kristen Wiig and produced by Judd Apatow; “Umshini Wam,” a short film from Harmony Korine featuring South African act Die Antwoord; and “Hit So Hard,” P. David Ebersole’s documentary on Hole drummer Patty Schemel, among others.
HollywoodNews.com will be reporting from this year’s SXSW, which runs March 11-19, in Austin, Texas. For details on the complete film and conference lineup, visit www.sxsw.com/film.
Additional Films in the 2011 SXSW Film Festival include:
Headliners
“The King of Luck”
Director: Billy Bob Thornton...
- 3/2/2011
- by Sean O'Connell
- Hollywoodnews.com
Unless you live in New York or Los Angeles, chances are you weren't able to see Pee-wee Herman return to the theater. No, not That theater. "The theater" as in Broadway. Paul Reubens brought back his famous Pee-wee character in 2010 for The Pee-Wee Herman Show on Broadway, which premiered last January in Los Angeles and will conclude its New York Broadway run on January 2. HBO announced Tuesday that, immediately following the end of the run, they'll shoot the production to air sometime in 2011. So if you weren't able to go out and see Pee-wee, Miss Yvonne, Cowboy Curtis, Chairy, Jambi and the rest, you'll soon get your chance. Check out a montage from the show, read the press release and more after the break. Here's what Nancy Geller, senior vice president of HBO Original Programming, said in a press release. Before his hit series and movies, HBO introduced Paul Reubens...
- 12/21/2010
- by Germain Lussier
- Slash Film
Aaron Sorkin is moving from The Social Network to writing a musical for Hugh Jackman based on the life of Houdini. Yet another sentence that surprises me when I write it.
What Your Cat Would Say If It Could Talk
The Amazing Race is finally switching to HD. I sense a lot more pixilation in the future of men’s underwear.
Robert Zemeckis says the script for Roger the Rabbit 2 is coming along slowly. The good news is that he’s going to use traditional animation and not motion capture of the cartoon characters.
What is that on the back of the ball cap for the Giants? I know what I see.
To everyone who thinks that Manhattan is the only significant place on earth: WalMart is bigger than your entire island.
In the latest bit of pro-cat propaganda, the kitty scientists stuffed into a human suit say that waiting...
What Your Cat Would Say If It Could Talk
The Amazing Race is finally switching to HD. I sense a lot more pixilation in the future of men’s underwear.
Robert Zemeckis says the script for Roger the Rabbit 2 is coming along slowly. The good news is that he’s going to use traditional animation and not motion capture of the cartoon characters.
What is that on the back of the ball cap for the Giants? I know what I see.
To everyone who thinks that Manhattan is the only significant place on earth: WalMart is bigger than your entire island.
In the latest bit of pro-cat propaganda, the kitty scientists stuffed into a human suit say that waiting...
- 11/3/2010
- by Ed Kennedy
- The Backlot
After a successful run in Los Angeles earlier this year, The Pee-wee Herman Show — Paul Reuben’s re-vamped re-visit of the 1981 stage show that launched his beloved character Pee-wee into the pop-culture firmament — is heading to the Great White Way. The one-act production will play a six-week engagement at the Stephen Sondheim theater, starting in previews Oct. 26, officially opening Nov. 11, and running through Dec. 5. (Tickets go on sale June 1 via Telecharge.com, and will run from $65 to $120.)
When I saw The Pee-wee Herman Show at Club Nokia in downtown L.A. in January, I thought it was simply uncanny how...
When I saw The Pee-wee Herman Show at Club Nokia in downtown L.A. in January, I thought it was simply uncanny how...
- 5/20/2010
- by Adam B. Vary
- EW.com - PopWatch
Howdy Interweb. I’m Matt Cohen, and I am a theater snob.
Okay, to be honest, I’m far from it. In my twenty-five years on this planet, most of my time has been spent deep in the world of comics, comedy and movies - with an emphasis on movies. Since before I can remember, my life revolved around all things cinematic, and this has not changed with time. I was never a musical theatre fan, and the only times I’ve gone have been mandatory, either by family or school. As far as “straight” plays, I think I’ve seen less than five performed in my life. And sure, I love comedy (specifically long form Improv, if ya please), but other then the occasional jaunt to the Upright Citizens Brigade, I don’t get out to the “Theater” much. It comes down to a general lack of interest in what’s being performed.
Okay, to be honest, I’m far from it. In my twenty-five years on this planet, most of my time has been spent deep in the world of comics, comedy and movies - with an emphasis on movies. Since before I can remember, my life revolved around all things cinematic, and this has not changed with time. I was never a musical theatre fan, and the only times I’ve gone have been mandatory, either by family or school. As far as “straight” plays, I think I’ve seen less than five performed in my life. And sure, I love comedy (specifically long form Improv, if ya please), but other then the occasional jaunt to the Upright Citizens Brigade, I don’t get out to the “Theater” much. It comes down to a general lack of interest in what’s being performed.
- 2/7/2010
- by mattcohen
In each episode of the Emmy-winning Saturday morning CBS series "Pee-wee's Playhouse" (1986–91), there was a "secret word of the day." When someone uttered it, everyone else would scream. If there's a secret word for the show's star, Paul Reubens, right now, it would be "comeback."The actor has spent the past year prepping his brand-new stage show, "The Pee-wee Herman Show," running through Feb. 7 at Club Nokia in downtown Los Angeles. The ambitious production features 11 actors and 20 puppets—a first for Reubens, who on his series relied on the magic of editing to bring puppets like Pterri, Chairry, Conky, Globey, and Magic Screen to life. Reubens says the tension and anxiety of creating the live show are palpable, and he has one question on his mind: Are the puppets going to perform?"This show is in many ways like the series, except we never did that live," says Reubens. "A...
- 1/13/2010
- backstage.com
Pee-wee Herman creator Paul Reubens wants ‘Playhouse’ movie, reintroduce character to new generation
Peace, love, jobs, forget all that stuff. What the world needs now, is Pee-wee, sweet Pee-wee.
In a recent interview with the AP, Paul Reubens, better known as Pee-wee Herman, talked about his plans to reintroduce his iconic character back into society. His first step? His live stage show The Pee-Wee Herman Show. His second step? A feature-length film:
“Well, you know, I really want to make a movie version of The Playhouse, my Saturday morning kid show. [The live show] seemed like a great way to do it: Reintroduce it, get back out there, introduce Pee-wee to the new generation that didn’t know about it,” he said.
His Saturday morning TV show, Pee-wee’s Playhouse, was canned in 1991 when Reubens was arrested for indecent exposure.
The Pee-wee Herman Show will run at the Club Nokia theater in Los Angeles from January 12th to February 7th. It will feature 20 puppets, along with many original cast members,...
In a recent interview with the AP, Paul Reubens, better known as Pee-wee Herman, talked about his plans to reintroduce his iconic character back into society. His first step? His live stage show The Pee-Wee Herman Show. His second step? A feature-length film:
“Well, you know, I really want to make a movie version of The Playhouse, my Saturday morning kid show. [The live show] seemed like a great way to do it: Reintroduce it, get back out there, introduce Pee-wee to the new generation that didn’t know about it,” he said.
His Saturday morning TV show, Pee-wee’s Playhouse, was canned in 1991 when Reubens was arrested for indecent exposure.
The Pee-wee Herman Show will run at the Club Nokia theater in Los Angeles from January 12th to February 7th. It will feature 20 puppets, along with many original cast members,...
- 12/12/2009
- by Reel Loop News Staff
- ReelLoop.com
Actor Paul Reubens is bringing his trademark character, Pee-wee Herman, and his playhouse full of friends back to their roots. Unfortunately, unless you live in Southern California, you may not be able to see them.
The Pee-wee Herman Show was a Los Angeles stage show in the early 1980s. It resembled the Saturday morning kids show that followed but the original concept was more of an adult parody of classic children's programming. Following appearances on late-night TV, Reubens' Pee-wee character became so popular that he was given his own family-friendly feature film, Pee-wee's Big Adventure.
The success of the movie paved the way for the Pee-wee's Playhouse TV series. Budgeted at $325,000 an episode, the show garnered 22 Emmy Awards during its five year run. Aside from Reubens, the series features Phil Hartman, Laurence Fishburne, S. Epatha Merkerson, Shirley Stoler, George McGrath, Alison Mork, John Paragon, William Marshall, Suzanne Kent, Lynne Marie Stewart,...
The Pee-wee Herman Show was a Los Angeles stage show in the early 1980s. It resembled the Saturday morning kids show that followed but the original concept was more of an adult parody of classic children's programming. Following appearances on late-night TV, Reubens' Pee-wee character became so popular that he was given his own family-friendly feature film, Pee-wee's Big Adventure.
The success of the movie paved the way for the Pee-wee's Playhouse TV series. Budgeted at $325,000 an episode, the show garnered 22 Emmy Awards during its five year run. Aside from Reubens, the series features Phil Hartman, Laurence Fishburne, S. Epatha Merkerson, Shirley Stoler, George McGrath, Alison Mork, John Paragon, William Marshall, Suzanne Kent, Lynne Marie Stewart,...
- 8/11/2009
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
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