At the beginning of the 1988 film "Big Top Pee-wee," the circus blows into town — literally, thanks to a wind-whipping storm — and lands on none other than Pee-wee Herman's farm. Pee-wee (Paul Reubens), who works the farm in the same slim gray glen plaid suit and red bow tie that became his uniform in the Playhouse, is, of course, delighted. He greets the performers with his patented brand of childlike whimsy and perpetual optimism, punctuated by a few hand flutters thrown in for good measure.
It's no surprise that Pee-wee quickly decides that he wants to join the circus because to anyone who's watching, it's clear that's where he belongs. Ringleader Mace Montana (Kris Kristofferson) sees it, too, telling him that he has "sawdust in his veins." The crotchety townspeople who are distrustful of colorful outsiders? Eh, not so much.
