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For those who don't "get" Pee-Wee, this was a character that Paul Ruebens had created on the comedy stage, with many appearances on David Letterman's show, and then continued on his inventive Saturday morning kids (and adults) show, before moving on to the big screen. Pee-Wee's act was always meant to be absurd, full of 50's kitsch and childhood playthings. But with plenty of double entendres and gentle poking fun at kiddie shows. I just watched the DVD with commentary by Tim Burton, who mentions it was made on a low budget, and I believe it was Burton's first full-length movie. It is just silly and fun, and through all these various permutations, Pee-Wee never grows or changes, he is just Pee-Wee marching to his own drummer. I enjoy this movie as much as my 8 year old son does, but for very different reasons.

I saw this last year for the first time in at least 30 years, and also still remember parts of it from when I was a child (razzleberry dressing, the "Despicable" song in the junkshop, and the achingly poignant "All Alone in the World"). My 8 year old really enjoyed it, a great intro to the classic story. He commented on how sad he felt for the young Scrooge in the schoolhouse scene. To see a modern kid as moved by that song as I remember being, is a real credit to the songwriter. And, the song in the Crachit house, where despite not being able to afford a tree or a holiday meal, they "prize what we have now" by having a loving family together for the holiday. What wonderful concepts presented in a simple yet effective holiday cartoon for kids and adults.