Cabazon dinosaurs pay tribute to Pee-Wee Herman
Mr. Rex, one of Cabazon's monumental dinosaurs, stands tall in Cabazon paying tribute to the late actor of Pee-Wee Herman, Paul Reubens.
Reubens died at the age of 70 years after a cancer diagnosis, his publicist announced Monday.
The Cabazon Dinosaurs had their moment to shine in Pee-Wee's Big Adventure (1985) when Pee-Wee hitchhikes to Texas (in true Hollywood magic, Texas is Cabazon) and befriends a waitress who wants to leave town. The two have a sudden run-in with the waitress's boyfriend, who then chases Pee-Wee around the dinosaurs before Pee-Wee jumps on a train.
Along with the release of Big Adventure, the dinosaurs, Mr. Rex and Dinny particularly, continue to be featured in small cameos in other films, including The Wizard (1989) and a blink-and-you'll-miss-it cameo in National Lampoon's Vacation (1983). Tears For Fears shot a clip at the landmark for the band's smash hit, "Everybody Wants To Rule the World" music video.
The late Huell Howser, television host of California's Gold, said the following about the dinosaurs during his own visit: "If there was ever a California roadside attraction, this is it... the dinosaurs!"
Cabazon Dinosaurs posted Mr. Rex's finished paint job on Instagram honoring Pee-Wee with the beloved dino wearing a suit and a red bowtie.
