Pee-wee Herman Tribute Looms Large At Cabazon Dinosaurs

[NEED-A-VETTE]

Pee-wee Herman Tribute Looms Large At Cabazon Dinosaurs

The appreciation is a nod to the man behind the cult classic film, "Pee-wee's Big Adventure," which featured scenes shot at the attraction.

By Toni McAllister, Patch Staff
Aug 3, 2023 10:24 am PDT | Updated Aug 3, 2023 10:34 am PDT

CABAZON, CA — Pee-wee Herman lives on in Cabazon.

The iconic Interstate 10 attraction, Cabazon Dinosaurs, is paying tribute to the actor behind the comic character by dressing one of the resident dinos, a Tyrannosaurus rex aptly named "Mr. Rex," as Pee-wee.

Paul Reubens, whose childlike alter-ego Pee-wee Herman was a movie and television hit in the 1980s, died Sunday in Los Angeles at the age of 70 following a cancer battle.

"Pee-wee lives on, just the way he would have wanted ... with love, laughter and kindness," Cabazon Dinosaurs stated on its website.

On Wednesday, remembrances from Pee-wee fans were placed at Mr. Rex's giant clawed toes.

"Au Revoir Pee Wee!," one note read. "Don't forget to tell 'em Large Marge sent ya!"

The "Large Marge" character was the infamous truck driver in 1985's cult classic film, "Pee-wee's Big Adventure," which featured scenes shot at Cabazon Dinosaurs. The dinos also popped up in another film, 1989's "The Wizard."

Reubens' death at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center was confirmed Monday by his longtime representative who released a statement from the actor.

“Please accept my apology for not going public with what I’ve been facing the last six years,” the Reubens statement read. “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.”

Cabazon Dinosaurs is located at 50770 Seminole Drive. The attraction features more than 70 dinosaur statues. In 1964, sculptor and theme park artist Claude Bell started construction on the dinosaurs to attract customers to his nearby restaurant, the now-shuttered Wheel Inn. By 1986, the 65-foot-tall Mr. Rex and a 150-foot-long Brontosaurus named "Dinny" were standing. After Bell's death in 1988, his family sold the property to the Kanter family.

The Pee-wee Herman appreciation continues through October. While visiting, Cabazon Dinosaurs, don't forget the classic Pee-wee line, “Why don’t you take a picture? It’ll last longer.”

https://patch.com/california/banning...azon-dinosaurs

[Bill]

That's actually a pretty classy and clever tribute, all things considered.

[Louie Detroit]

That’s one Pee-wee that’ll never get caught jerkin’ it’s gherkin in a dirty movie joint.

[MTPZ06]

That's cool.

[PLRX]

[Chemtrails99]

First time I went to the Diner there like 30 years ago they still had the Large Marge picture/ tribute from the movie on the wall. Used to loom out of the desert in the distance, but a bunch of fast food dumps built between the Rex and the freeway. Now you can miss it all if you aren't looking for it....

[SQUIRMIN VERMIN 84]

After my 3 yr stint with the Army back in 1970, we would pack the car and make
the trek from Pomona to my in-law's 40 acre ranch in Thermal every other weekend.
Going and returning, we would always stop at Cabazon for a break and admire Rex
and his brontosaurus friend.
Nice to see him dressed up!

[Bill]

Originally Posted by Chemtrails99

First time I went to the Diner there like 30 years ago they still had the Large Marge picture/ tribute from the movie on the wall. Used to loom out of the desert in the distance, but a bunch of fast food dumps built between the Rex and the freeway. Now you can miss it all if you aren't looking for it....

I hear Lizzo will be playing Marge in the movie remake.