The red beach cruiser from the 1985 film "Pee-Wee's Big Adventure" is being auctioned off online, with bids exceeding $25,000. The bike is a classic prop from the Tim Burton film, in which Pee-Wee exclaims, "I wouldn't sell my bike for all the money in the world." While Pee-Wee may not be willing to part with his beloved bicycle, the current owner of the piece sure is. The online auction includes not only the bike, but also an autographed photo of Paul Reubens – the actor who portrayed Pee-Wee in the film – as well as another photo of him signing the photo, a certificate of authenticity and the bike's spec sheet from Warner Bros. Pictures.
A piece of hollywood history
Pee-Wee's Big Adventure has become a cult hit with a devoted following of Pee-Wee Herman fans. It was also a hit with the critics – Rotten Tomatoes, the online aggregator of critical views, has rated the film at 92 percent. This score reflects the percentage of critics who gave the film a positive review. Adored by audience members and critics alike, the madcap feature follows the adventure of Pee-Wee Herman, a character Reubens originated on the Pee-Wee Herman Show, as he searches for his stolen bike. As such, this prop plays a central role in the plot of the film, thus adding to its value. The current seller of the piece is the third person to own the bike, having acquired it in 2010 for $10,000.
The film is a milestone in the history of cinema, as it was the first feature-length film directed by legendary filmmaker Tim Burton. Burton would go on to make several dark comedies such as Beetlejuice, Batman and The Nightmare Before Christmas, which have also become cult classics in their own right. The bicycle is valued not only by Pee-Wee Herman fans, but also by those who admire the work of Tim Burton.
Hollywood memorabilia auctions
Movie prop and costume collectors can find listings of lots from auctions around the world at iCollector.com. The iCollector platform makes it easy to bid on items from live auctions without ever leaving your computer. By partnering with auction houses that specialize in Hollywood props and memorabilia, such as ScreenUsed, iCollector is able to provide users unparalleled access to unique and interesting items to supplement their collections.