The Pee Wee Magic Screen is a classic children's toy that has provided entertainment and fun for generations. It is a small, portable device that features a plastic screen and a pencil-like stylus that allows children to draw and create their own designs. The screen is made of a special material that reacts to the pressure of the stylus, leaving a visible mark. This allows children to draw, write, and create colorful images, all without the mess of traditional art supplies like crayons or markers. The Magic Screen is also known for its unique erasing feature. By simply lifting up the plastic sheet on top of the screen, children can instantly erase their previous drawings and start fresh.
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Pee-wee Herman (ie: Paul Reubens) got a raw deal. Seriously. The guy was a genius and just because he played with his Wee-pee in a dark movie theater one day, his career as that fun-loving character was basically over. Oh sure, Tom Green can suck the teat of a cow in a grocery store on national television and he's starring in some movies shortly thereafter. But not Pee-wee. It's sad too, because while our Saturday mornings were filled with the spectacle that was Pee-wee's Playhouse, the children of today. well. they don't really have any reason to wake-up on a Saturday if you ask me.
Fortunately, they've put out a bunch of Pee-wee's Playhouse episodes on DVD, including what I consider to be one of the greatest Christmas shows ever. That's right, I'm talking about the Pee-wee's Playhouse Christmas Special!
It all starts out in a winter wonderland of snow, and the Playhouse has been completely decked out for the holidays - at least on the outside. When we go inside, we're treated to a bunch of fake-military members who are singing "Merry Christmas Everyone" along with Pee-wee. They apparently tried to get some real marines to perform this, but they claimed they couldn't make it. The few. The grinch. The marines.
No matter though, because with the insane amount of guests they had lined up for this special, we probably wouldn't even notice if the marines were giving the king of cartoons a beatdown that he'd never forget. Just look at this:
Yup, the list of guest stars was pretty incredible for the time: Oprah Winfrey, Dinah Shore, Joan Rivers, Little Richard, K.D. Lang, Grace Jones, Magic Johnson, Whoopi Goldberg, Annette Funicello, the Del Rubio Triplets, Charo, Frankie Avalon, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Roger Barr, and Dolph Lundgren. Ok, well the last two are only in the special edition of the DVD. the special edition that's in my mind. So as you can see, this holiday episode was packed with potential!
So we start off with Pee-wee going over his ridiculously massive Christmas list with Conky the robot. When Pee-wee says that he wants a yo-yo, Conky reminds him that he already has one. Agent P.W. then heads on over to a wall and lifts up a secret panel. One of the things he was famous for, aside from a plethora of classic one-liners, was having secret panels all over the place. After he enters in his secret code on the panel box, his toy vault opens up and spins around displaying all of his goodies. including a yo-yo.
He does a few tricks and we're treated to one of the many wonderful claymation scenes that won Pee-wee's Playhouse much well-deserved acclaim. When he "walks the dog", the yo-yo literally turns into a dog and walks around. When he goes "around the world", the yo-yo become a pterodactyl and flies around Globey the globe.
After breaking the camera lens with the yo-yo, Pee-wee returns to listing out more things for his Christmas wish list. Conky practical has a meltdown when Pee-wee asks him to print out the enormous list. I once had a dream that Conky broke into my house and tried to kill me. Fortunately, I woke up before that evil robot had a chance. But the image of those steel hands gripping my arms and preparing to toss me into oblivion is as vivid in my mind today as it was when I first had that dream a long, long time ago.
Miss Yvonne, the self-proclaimed most beautiful woman in the world (and who could argue with a lady who wears green eye-shadow and a beehive hairdo?), stops by the playhouse to bring Pee-wee a gift: the first of many fruitcakes to come. Then she tells everybody in the place that there's enough of her for everyone - basically suggesting that she'll be the official Christmas slut of the playhouse this year. Good times!
Pee-wee then brings the brick-heavy fruitcake to his fridge and we're treated to some more of that remarkable claymation work. All of the food in the fridge is enjoying the holidays. they even turned a bunch of grapes into a spiffy Christmas tree. And up in the freezer, the ice pops are having a grand ol' time doing some ice fishing. You know, my fridge has all sorts of things that crawl around in it too, but I don't ever recall them looking this cute.
Pee-wee then gets a call on his video phone, powered by empty cans of fruit. Well Whaddaya know! It's Whoopi Goldberg! She's calling to see if she could actually be on Pee-wee's Christmas special this year, but Pee-wee claims he's booked solid. Story of your life, eh Whoopi?
CONNECT THE DOTS. LA LA LA LA!
Ah who could forget the glory of the Magic Screen segments? It's starts off simple enough, with Pee-wee diving once again into the Magic Screen and then a bunch of scattered dots slowly start to take shape while Pee-wee sings that song that drove parents mad. "CONNECT THE DOTS. LA LA LA LA! CONNECT THE DOTS. LA LA LA LA!" This time, the dots form a sleigh. just like Santa has! WOW! But that's not all.
Look who else is playing around in the magical world of Magic Screen? Why it's none other than Magic Johnson! Magic Johnson claims that Magic Screen is his cousin, but I have my doubts. Could it be that Magic Johnson is actually Magic Screen's father? It wouldn't surprise me. I hear the guy really got around if you know what I mean. Well anyway, the two of them go on a magical ride on their sleigh after being chased off by a crazed polar bear. Merry Christmas Magic Johnson!
I think the entire reason that "Chairry" existed was so that she could catch Pee-wee in her cushioned arms anytime he was flung wildly from the world of Magic Screen. Well anyway, she brings up a good point that the playhouse hasn't been decorated for the holidays yet. "Decorations? Oh no! I was so busy making up my list for Santa Claus that I completely forgot! Now we don't have any decorations because I was only thinking of myself. Christmas is the time when we should be thinking of what we can do for others." Pee-wee proclaims. It's always fun to see when Pee-wee is going to break out of his usual wackiness to give the kids a valuable lesson. "I wish I hadn't been so selfish!"
WISH? DID SOMEBODY SAY. WISH?
Ah yes, Jambi the genie. Pee-wee must have been a saint in another life, because in this one, he's fortunate enough to have a genie that grants him one wish every day. You'd think by now Pee-wee would've gotten around to wishing for oh, I dunno. world peace, food for the starving, shelter for the homeless. But hey, I guess having a pet pterodactyl in your house is just as important as those other unselfish wishes. That and wishing that the playhouse could be instantly decorated for the holidays. So Jambi tells Pee-wee to repeat those classic Jambese words: "Mekka Lekka Hi-Mekka Hiney Ho!" but on the second time around he mixes it up! "Mekka Lekka Hi-Mekka HO HO HO!" Oh Jambi, you always did have a way with words. and wishes too:
SUCK ON THAT, STARVING CHILDREN OF THE WORLD! So yeah, Jambi grants Pee-wee's wish and the playhouse is now all decked out in Christmas gear. Jambi even agrees to let Pee-wee make another wish later on in the day since it's Christmas. Lucky bastard.
Soon after, Reba the mail lady shows up at the playhouse with a huge delivery for good ol' Pee-wee! Hoping it's not another fruitcake, he opens the box to find Grace Jones packed neatly inside! "Wait a minute, this isn't the White House!" Reba the mail lady realizes she goofed on the delivery. But Grace is cool enough to sing a song for Pee-wee and company anyway since she's already there.
With a rum pum, pum, pum, she busts out David Bowie's version of "Little Drummer Boy" and Pee-wee joins in by doing the only dance he knows. Seeing the two of them dance together is just one of those surreal things that you never thought you'd see happen in your life. On a related note, I believe this is my new favorite animated gif image.
Next up, Pee-wee has Annette Funicello and Frankie Avalon demonstrate how you can do some simple Christmas crafts with average household supplies. A toothbrush makes a fine paint brush so you can make nice 'n green Christmas trees. Oops, she forgot to clean it before she brushed her teeth again. HAR! Well, it was funny back in the 80's damnit.
WILL THE PLAYHOUSE BE RAIDED BY THE FBI FOR
STOCKPILING HUGE QUANTITIES OF DEADLY FRUITCAKE?
WILL PEE-WEE REPLACE CHAIRRY WITH A LA-Z-BOY?
WILL CONKY BECOME A HUMAN CRUSHING ROBO
DEATH MACHINE WITH NO REMORSE WHATSOEVER?
CONTINUE TO PAGE 2 TO FIND OUT!
Pee wee magic screen
Last year when I made Pee-wee and Chairry, and eventually Jambi, I drew a sketch in my notebook of a Magic Screen amigurumi. It didn't seem doable at the time. I didn't know how I would do the legs and everything I thought of seemed really cheesy looking (and the entire screen could not be held up by pipe cleaners!) so I kind of abandoned the idea. (I love that story!)
More digging around at the craft store revealed several non-conventional items that I could use to make Magic Screen, so the project was a go. I made her last night and I couldn't be happier!
| Magic Screen with interchangeable screen |
More photos after the jump!
My original big idea was to have her act as sort of a picture frame, where I could change out what was on her "screen". I wanted to be able to put pictures, patterned holographic paper, or little messages inside. It worked out brilliantly! Little Magic Screen could even play "connect the dots" if I could find a clear enough image for her! (And there is an awesome picture of Pee-wee and Magic Screen's cousin Magic Johnson that I'm going to have to print out. )
When you try out the pattern (which is now in my Ravelry and Craftsy shops) you'll probably like how there is not too much to crochet. It goes really fast! The rest of it is getting creative with craft supplies, so what's not to love?
This Magic Screen is on its way to Pee-wee himself! Au revoir Magic Screen!
Pee-wee Gets An iPad!
"Pee-wee Gets An iPad!" is an exclusive video uploaded to Funny Or Die in 2010. In this video, Pee-wee shows his new Apple iPad to the Playhouse Gang!
By simply lifting up the plastic sheet on top of the screen, children can instantly erase their previous drawings and start fresh. This makes it easy for kids to experiment and try new ideas without the fear of making a permanent mistake. One of the reasons why the Pee Wee Magic Screen has remained popular over the years is its portability.
Synopsis [ ]
The video begins when Pee-wee Herman enters the Playhouse with his new own iPad. Conky asks what an iPad is. Magic Screen explains it and adds that the name closely resembled a popular brand of sanitary napkins. Pee-wee says he can use the iPad for books, when Clocky points out that Magic Screen can read books aloud for free, so Magic Screen recites some lines of Dr. Seuss's Green Eggs and Ham. Pee-wee understands this, and then adds that the iPad features maps and music. Globey says he, too, can feature such by singing The Beach Boys' "Kokomo" and pointing to the locations the song mentions. Pee-wee stops him, and then says that Steve Jobs gave him the iPad personally, but doesn't have time to discuss it. Pee-wee imagines himself using the iPad for a tray of drinks, while Globey continues singing "Kokomo".
The small size and lightweight design make it perfect for car rides, plane trips, or just bringing along to keep children entertained on-the-go. It can easily fit into a backpack or purse, ensuring that kids always have a fun activity to enjoy. In addition to its entertainment value, the Magic Screen also offers educational benefits. Children can practice their fine motor skills by using the stylus to draw and write. They can also learn about cause and effect, as they see their drawings come to life with a simple touch. Overall, the Pee Wee Magic Screen is a timeless toy that continues to captivate children with its simple yet engaging features. It encourages creativity, offers a messfree art experience, and provides endless entertainment. Whether used at home or on the road, this classic toy is sure to bring joy to children of all ages..
Reviews for "Transforming Ordinary Drawings with the Pee wee Magic Screen"
1. Lisa - 2 stars -
I was really disappointed with the Pee Wee Magic Screen. The concept seemed great, but the execution was poor. The screen was so small and low resolution that it was hard to see anything clearly. The touch sensitivity was also lacking, and I often had to press multiple times to get a response. Overall, I found the experience frustrating and would not recommend this product.
2. Mike - 1 star -
I have never been more disappointed in a product. The Pee Wee Magic Screen is nothing more than a cheap toy. The graphics are terrible, and the games are not fun at all. It feels like a complete waste of money. I would not recommend purchasing this product, especially if you are looking for a high-quality gaming experience.
3. Sarah - 2 stars -
I purchased the Pee Wee Magic Screen for my child, and they were not impressed at all. The screen was difficult to see, even in good lighting, and there were limited options for games and activities. The device also had a tendency to freeze and would require restarting. It was not worth the price and we ended up returning it for a refund.
4. John - 2 stars -
I was excited to try out the Pee Wee Magic Screen, but it fell short of my expectations. The screen quality was subpar, and the colors were washed out. The device also felt flimsy and cheaply made. The games were repetitive and quickly became boring. I would not recommend this product to anyone looking for an engaging and enjoyable gaming experience.