Is it important to the story? Yes! Does the audience need to care about it? No! That’s a MacGuffin!
This month we’re celebrating one of film’s great narrative devices — coined by screenwriter Angus MacPhail and popularized by Alfred Hitchcock — and this cartoon-coloured cross-country joyride is a perfect example.
Pee-Wee Herman (Paul Reubens) has it all: a house filled with toys, all the sugary cereal he can eat, and an endless supply of red bow ties. But when he discovers that his precious bicycle (a.k.a. the MacGuffin) has been stolen, Pee-Wee is forced to hit the road to get it back. His cross-country journey will be fraught with danger, hijinks, and a very disappointing trip to the Alamo.
Tim Burton’s whimsical cult classic is worth a trip to the ByTowne to see it on the big screen! Tell 'em Large Marge sent ya!