Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

Michael Varhol

Michael Varhol is an , , and whose career spans documentary and narrative films from the onward. He is best known for co-writing the screenplay for the cult Pee-wee's Big Adventure (1985), directed by , alongside and . Varhol also contributed to the development of the story over several months, helping shape the film's whimsical narrative about Pee-wee Herman's cross-country quest for his stolen . Earlier in his career, Varhol directed and produced the documentary Banjoman (1975), a tribute to bluegrass banjo legend featuring interviews and performances by artists including and . He followed this with The Last Word (1979), a satirical comedy-drama for which he served as and , exploring themes of sensationalism through the story of a navigating ethical dilemmas. Varhol also contributed writing to episodes of the children's television series (1986), extending his collaboration with Reubens into the small screen. In the late 1980s, Varhol produced and co-wrote The Big Picture (1989), a satirical directed by that lampoons Hollywood's , with Varhol providing the original story alongside contributions from Guest and . Additionally, he appeared in a minor role as a in Pee-wee's Big Adventure, underscoring his multifaceted involvement in the production. In addition to his film career, Varhol has pursued , creating projects such as Central Park: The Soul of and documentation of . Varhol's work often intersects with and music-infused storytelling, reflecting his early documentary roots and ongoing partnerships with key figures in and .

Early film career

Banjoman (1975)

Banjoman is a 105-minute documentary concert film that serves as a tribute to bluegrass banjo pioneer Earl Scruggs, capturing live performances from a star-studded lineup of musicians including Scruggs himself, Joan Baez, The Byrds, Doc and Merle Watson, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, and Ramblin' Jack Elliott. The film interweaves concert footage with interviews and archival material to celebrate Scruggs' contributions to American roots music, highlighting the improvisational energy of bluegrass and country traditions. Released on November 16, 1975, it premiered as a showcase for the genre's enduring appeal during a period of renewed interest in folk and acoustic music. Michael Varhol made his directorial debut with Banjoman, sharing co-director credit with Richard Gilbert Abramson, while also serving as a producer alongside Abramson and . This collaboration marked Varhol's initial foray into music-related filmmaking, establishing his early focus on capturing authentic performances in the scene. Abramson, who would go on to work with Varhol on subsequent projects, brought complementary experience in production to the effort. Filmed entirely in 1975, Banjoman was produced as a heartfelt celebration of and heritage, reflecting the cultural resurgence of these genres in the post-folk revival era. The project originated from a live event honoring Scruggs, emphasizing communal sessions and the banjo's central role in musical history. For Varhol, this work represented a pivotal entry point into the film industry, blending his passion for music with emerging skills in documentary direction and production.

The Last Word (1979)

The Last Word is a 1979 satirical comedy-drama that follows Danny Travis, an eccentric inventor played by , who resorts to taking a hostage in a desperate bid to prevent the of his family from their apartment building, which is targeted by a corrupt scheme involving shady politicians and developers. The story highlights the protagonist's fight against forces that threaten to displace low-income residents, blending elements of desperation and as a television reporter covers the escalating standoff. Michael Varhol served as co-writer on the screenplay alongside Greg P. Smith and , with the story based on an original idea by Horatius Haeberle; he also acted as co-producer with Richard Gilbert Abramson, continuing their professional partnership from earlier documentary projects. The film was directed by Roy Boulting in his final directorial effort, featuring a notable cast that includes as the lead inventor, as the police captain negotiating the crisis, and as the ambitious TV newswoman who amplifies the media frenzy. The narrative explores themes of institutional corruption and the personal desperation faced by ordinary individuals amid 1970s American , using to critique exploitation and bureaucratic indifference that exacerbate crises for working-class families. Varhol's contributions to the helped shape its biting satirical tone, emphasizing the absurdity and moral outrage of the characters' plight against powerful, self-serving interests. Production-wise, The Last Word was released on October 10, 1979, at the Chicago International Film Festival, with a general U.S. release in 1980; it received a PG rating and has a runtime of 105 minutes.

Pee-wee Herman collaborations

Pee-wee's Big Adventure (1985)

Pee-wee's Big Adventure centers on Pee-wee Herman, an immature and obsessive adult portrayed by Paul Reubens, whose cherished red bicycle is stolen, leading him on a chaotic cross-country journey from Los Angeles to the Alamo to retrieve it. During his quest, Pee-wee navigates a series of bizarre encounters with oddball figures, such as a biker gang, a sympathetic truck driver, and a fictionalized Warner Bros. studio lot, all while maintaining his wide-eyed wonder and penchant for non-sequiturs. The film's screenplay captures the essence of a child's adventure filtered through adult absurdity, emphasizing themes of innocence lost and regained amid escalating mishaps. Michael Varhol served as co-writer on the project alongside Reubens and , marking his breakthrough in feature films after earlier dramatic works. The trio, none of whom had prior experience, spent three months developing the story by following guidelines from Syd Field's manual, structuring the narrative into a tight 90-page script that mirrored the book's three-act formula precisely. Varhol contributed to shaping the film's quirky, childlike humor through collaborative brainstorming sessions that amplified Pee-wee's whimsical worldview and satirical edge on culture. This writing process extended the Pee-wee character from Reubens' earlier stage and television sketches into a full cinematic . Directed by in his feature debut, the film was produced by Robert Shapiro and Richard Gilbert Abramson, with executive producer William E. McEuen, under distribution. Shot on a modest budget of approximately $7 million, it premiered on August 9, 1985, and grossed over $41 million domestically, achieving a strong return that underscored its cult appeal. The collaboration launched Burton's career in fantastical visuals, while Varhol's input on the script's playful tone influenced the movie's enduring legacy as a touchstone for offbeat comedy.

Pee-wee's Playhouse (1986)

Pee-wee's Playhouse is an American comedy television series starring Paul Reubens as the childlike Pee-wee Herman, which aired on CBS from 1986 to 1990 for five seasons, comprising 45 episodes broadcast on Saturday mornings. The show is a surreal, live-action puppet production that blends stop-motion animation, practical effects, and absurd humor to create an imaginative world inside Pee-wee's playhouse, drawing inspiration from classic children's programming like Howdy Doody while incorporating postmodern elements. Created by Paul Reubens through his Paul Reubens Productions, the series emphasized full creative control for Reubens, often exceeding budgets that he personally covered to preserve its unique vision. It received widespread acclaim, winning 15 Daytime Emmy Awards, including honors for art direction, costumes, and children's programming. Michael Varhol served as a writer for 13 episodes during the show's first season in 1986, building on his prior screenplay collaboration with Reubens and for (1985). His contributions helped adapt the character and whimsical style from the feature film into an episodic television format, focusing on interactive and family-friendly narratives. Episodes typically featured talking furniture and animated puppets such as Chairry, Mr. Window, and Pterri the pterodactyl, alongside recurring segments like the "Secret Word" that encouraged viewer participation by yelling whenever the word was spoken. The series maintained an improvisational tone through its blend of scripted chaos and guest appearances by celebrities, including in the 1988 Christmas special, where she humorously vied for a spot on the show. Varhol's scripting work supported this dynamic environment, ensuring the absurd humor remained accessible and engaging for young audiences while preserving the playful essence of the Pee-wee universe.

The Big Picture (1989)

Development and production

The story for The Big Picture originated as Michael Varhol's concept for a of the industry, which he co-developed with and into a exploring Hollywood's eccentricities. The plot centers on Nick Chapman, an aspiring director portrayed by , who achieves initial success with an award-winning student only to become entangled in the absurd politics and power plays of the entertainment world as he attempts to produce his first feature. Varhol took on multiple key roles in the project, serving as co-writer of the screenplay with Guest and McKean, producer, and original story contributor, while the production operated on a budget of approximately $5 million. Guest directed the , which was shot primarily in during 1988, capturing the city's iconic locations to underscore the industry's insider dynamics. The ensemble cast featured as fellow student filmmaker Lydia Johnson, in a supporting role, and notable cameos from and that amplified the satirical tone through their exaggerated portrayals of media and executive figures. Drawing briefly on his prior producing experience from 1970s and 1980s projects, including collaborations on the films, Varhol provided logistical oversight to ensure the satire's execution aligned with its mock-Hollywood vision. The screenplay evolved through an improvisation-heavy approach, building on character outlines and plot beats in a style reminiscent of Guest's earlier work on , allowing actors to infuse scenes with spontaneous dialogue while maintaining narrative structure. This method contributed to the film's sharp, observational humor, focusing on the absurdities of script development, casting, and studio interference without relying on a rigidly scripted format.

Release and reception

The Big Picture premiered at the on January 28, 1989, before receiving a wide theatrical release on September 15, 1989, distributed by . The film runs 100 minutes and carries a PG-13 rating for language and brief nudity. At the , The Big Picture earned approximately $117,463 domestically, marking it as a modest performer given its $5 million budget and limited theatrical run. Despite the underwhelming financial returns, the film garnered positive critical reception, holding an 87% approval rating on based on 23 reviews. Critics praised its witty script, which satirizes Hollywood's absurdities through sharp industry jabs, and the strong led by ; co-writer Michael Varhol's contributions to the were highlighted for their incisive humor on filmmaking egos and deal-making. Some reviews noted mixed feelings on the pacing, finding certain sequences meandering amid the improvisational style tied to director Christopher Guest's earlier collaborations. The film's legacy endures as an early example of Guest's satirical approach, influencing subsequent mockumentary-style comedies that poke fun at . Varhol's role in crafting its Hollywood critique has been noted in retrospectives on comedies, underscoring his final major effort. While it received no major awards, The Big Picture earned recognition in circles, including a mention for Bacon's performance at film festivals.

Photography projects

Central Park: The Soul of New York City

Michael Varhol's Central Park: The Soul of New York City is a photographic series that portrays the landscapes, street performers, and daily life within 's iconic park, emphasizing its role as the vibrant heart of urban existence. The series won the photography competition at the 2018 Film Festival. The project employs a re-photography technique, in which Varhol repeatedly captures the same scenes from fixed angles over time to document subtle changes in the environment and human activity, blending urban landscape and to highlight the park's timeless yet evolving character. This work reflects Varhol's broader interest in New York City scenes, focusing on the interplay of nature and humanity that defines the city's soul. Presented as a visual exhibit, the series underscores a photographic narrative of Central Park's enduring appeal through representative images of performers, pathways, and seasonal shifts.

Melrose Avenue documentation

Varhol began documenting in West Hollywood around the , embarking on a decade-long photographic project that captures the street's , murals, shop windows, and daily life scenes. This work chronicles the evolution of ' creative street culture, highlighting artists such as Hijack and contrasting the ephemeral quality of and with the more stable fabric. Employing a re-photography method, Varhol photographs the same locations hundreds of times from consistent angles to track transformations in , , and revival, providing a longitudinal view of the avenue's dynamic changes. The project is shared primarily through his account (@michaelvarholphotography) and page, featuring dedicated series on mannequins, murals, and palm trees that emphasize the area's vibrant, transient aesthetic. This documentation marks Varhol's transition to still photography as a creative outlet following his film career, where his cinematic perspective informs the and depth of these urban images. His contributions to this theme were recognized in the 2016 Streetscapes Photography Exhibition at 1650 , where the image "Shepard & Sheep on Melrose Ave" illustrated his focus on iconic intersections.

References

  1. [1]
    https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/person/1525062%7C0/Michael-C-Varhol
  2. [2]
    Michael Varhol Movies & TV Shows List | Rotten Tomatoes
    Explore the complete filmography of Michael Varhol on Rotten Tomatoes! Discover every movie and TV show they have been credited in.
  3. [3]
    It's the 30th anniversary of my first movie, Pee-wee's Big Adventure!!
    Jul 26, 2015 · July 26, 1985 was the day the film was released, which was 30 years ago today! The movie was written by me, Phil Hartman, and Michael Varhol, ...
  4. [4]
    Pee-wee's Big Adventure Turns 40 - The Hollywood Reporter
    Aug 3, 2025 · “We had worked for three months, just trying to find a story,” says Michael Varhol, who co-wrote the script with Reubens and another ...
  5. [5]
    Banjoman (1975) - Turner Classic Movies - TCM
    Banjoman. 1h 45m 1975. Overview; Synopsis; Credits; Film Details; Notes. Brief ... Michael C Varhol. Director · Joan Baez · Ramblin' Jack Elliott · Doc Watson ...
  6. [6]
    AFI|Catalog
    Banjoman (1975). 105 mins | Documentary | 16 November 1975. Cast: The ... Michael C. Varhol. Dir. PRODUCERS. Richard G. Abramson. Prod. Robert French. Prod.
  7. [7]
    The Last Word (1979) - Turner Classic Movies
    The Last Word. 1h 45m 1979. Overview; Synopsis; Credits; Film Details; Notes. Brief ... Michael C Varhol. Screenwriter · Michael C Varhol. Producer · Reiner Walch.
  8. [8]
    The Last Word (1979) | Rotten Tomatoes
    Discover reviews, ratings, and trailers for The Last Word (1979) on Rotten Tomatoes ... Richard Abramson , Michael Varhol. Rating: PG. Genre: Comedy , Drama.
  9. [9]
    Pee-wee's Playhouse: Season 1, Episode 7 | Rotten Tomatoes
    Season 1, Episode 7 on Fandango at Home. Advertise ... George McGrath , John Paragon , Paul Reubens , Max Robert , Michael Varhol.
  10. [10]
    The Big Picture - Variety
    Dec 31, 1988 · The Big Picture is a surprisingly genial, good-natured satire on contemporary Hollywood mores, one of the last pics made under the David ...
  11. [11]
    Taking a Bite Out of Hollywood in 'The Big Picture'
    Sep 19, 1989 · Guest co-authored the film with Michael Varhol and Michael McKean. “The Big Picture,” as the critics have said, has an assured audience ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  12. [12]
    Banjoman (1975) - Full cast & crew - IMDb
    Producers · Richard Gilbert Abramson · Richard Gilbert Abramson. producer · Robert French · Robert French. producer · Michael Varhol · Michael Varhol. producer ...
  13. [13]
    Michael C Varhol - Turner Classic Movies
    Biography. Filmography. Director (Feature Film). Banjoman (1975). Director. Cast (Feature Film). Pee-Wee's Big Adventure (1985). Writer (Feature Film). The Big ...
  14. [14]
    The Last Word (1979) - IMDb
    Rating 5.3/10 (141) The Last Word · Director. Roy Boulting · Writers · Horatius Häberle · Michael Varhol · Greg P. Smith · Stars · Richard Harris · Karen Black · Martin Landau.
  15. [15]
    https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0079442/
  16. [16]
    The Last Word (1979) - Full cast & crew - IMDb
    The Last Word (1979) - Cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more.Missing: runtime rating
  17. [17]
    Michael Varhol - IMDb
    Michael Varhol is known for Pee-wee's Big Adventure (1985), The Big Picture (1989) and Pee-wee's Playhouse (1986).
  18. [18]
    https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089791/trivia/
  19. [19]
    Pee-wee's Big Adventure (1985) - Full cast & crew - IMDb
    Writers. Edit · Phil Hartman ; Producers. Edit · Richard Gilbert Abramson ; Composer. Edit · Danny Elfman ; Cinematographer. Edit · Victor J. Kemper ; Editor. Edit.
  20. [20]
    Pee Wee's Big Adventure (1985) - Box Office and Financial Information
    Opening Weekend: $99,184 (0.2% of total gross) ; Legs: 9.01 (domestic box office/biggest weekend) ; Production Budget: $7,000,000 (worldwide box office is 5.8 ...
  21. [21]
    Pee-wee's Big Adventure (1985) - Box Office Mojo
    Pee-wee's Big Adventure (1985). When eccentric man-child Pee-wee Herman gets ... Lifetime Gross, Rank. Domestic, 2, $41,047,344, 2,300. Latest Updates: News ...Missing: producers | Show results with:producers
  22. [22]
    27 Fun Facts About Pee-wee's Playhouse - Mental Floss
    Mar 11, 2024 · ... series on Blu-ray with Pee-wee's Playhouse: The Complete Series. ... The show won a total of 15 Emmys throughout its five-season run. 21 ...
  23. [23]
    Pee-wee's Playhouse (TV Series 1986–1991) - Full cast & crew - IMDb
    Michael Varhol. writer. 13 episodes • 1986. Doug Cox · Doug Cox. written by. 3 ... Janna Phillips. makeup artist. 10 episodes • 1990. Michael R. Jones · Michael R ...
  24. [24]
    https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0251640/characters/nm0000155
  25. [25]
    Stick to the Script: Christopher Guest's The Big Picture (1989)
    Sep 22, 2019 · Instead, he wrote (with Michael Varhol, co-writer of Pee-Wee's Big Adventure) the story for his own directorial debut, The Big Picture. “I ...
  26. [26]
    Christopher Guest by Lynn Geller - BOMB Magazine
    Oct 1, 1989 · I'd written the film with Michael Varhol [Pee Wee Hermann films] and ... LGWere you asked to make a lot of script changes à la Big Picture?
  27. [27]
    Review/Film; A Student's Rise and Fall In a Hollywood of Hustlers
    Sep 15, 1989 · ''The Big Picture,'' which opens today at the 59th Street East Cinema, was written by Mr. Guest, Mr. McKean and Michael Varhol as a conventional ...Missing: origin | Show results with:origin
  28. [28]
    The world's most comprehensive Film database - AFI Catalog
    An 11 Jan 1989 HR news brief announced that The Big Picture would be the ... Exec prod. WRITERS. Michael Varhol. Scr. Christopher Guest. Scr. Michael McKean. Scr.
  29. [29]
    The Big Picture (1989) - Box Office and Financial Information
    Financial analysis of The Big Picture (1989) including production budget, domestic and international box office gross, DVD and Blu-ray sales reports.Missing: film | Show results with:film
  30. [30]
    80s Film Locations - Big Picture, The (1989) - Google Sites
    This film shows off some terrific landmark Los Angeles locations. The "National Film Institute" awards ceremony is held in the Ballroom of the Park Plaza Hotel.Missing: cast | Show results with:cast
  31. [31]
    Christopher Guest on 'Mascots,' Spinal Tap, Comedy - Rolling Stone
    Oct 14, 2016 · Later, I made The Big Picture (1989), and I had written a screenplay, but really kind of longed to return this way of working because it was fun ...
  32. [32]
    The Big Picture (1989) » PopMatters
    In a much lighter vein, yet nonetheless revealing, is The Big Picture, a 1989 comedy released this month on DVD. Directed and co-written by Spinal Tap's ...
  33. [33]
    The Big Picture (1989) - Release info - IMDb
    The Big Picture was released in the US on January 28, 1989 (Park City), and September 15, 1989 (Los Angeles/New York). It was released in the UK on November 30 ...
  34. [34]
    The Big Picture (1989) - Blu-ray.com
    Rating 3.0 (49) · 730-day returnsThe Big Picture 1989 ; Studio, Columbia Pictures · Aspen Film Society ; Blu-ray distributor, Mill Creek Entertainment ; Release date, United States Sep 15, 1989
  35. [35]
    The Big Picture - Rotten Tomatoes
    Rating 87% (23) The Big Picture aims at targets that might not be familiar to viewers who aren't well-versed in movie-biz chicanery, but hits most of them so solidly that ...
  36. [36]
    The Big Picture streaming: where to watch online? - JustWatch
    Rating 42% (48) About the movie ; Genres. Comedy, Romance, Drama, RomCom, Dramedy ; Runtime. 1h 40min ; Age rating. PG-13 ; Production country. United States ...Videos: Trailers, Teasers... · About The Movie · Rating<|separator|>
  37. [37]
    The Big Picture (1989) - IMDb
    Rating 6.2/10 (6,503) The Big Picture ; Director. Christopher Guest ; Writers. Michael Varhol · Christopher Guest · Michael McKean ; Stars · Kevin Bacon · Emily Longstreth · J.T. Walsh.
  38. [38]
    The Big Picture - Box Office Mojo
    Grosses ... BoxOfficeMojo.com by IMDbPro - an IMDb company. © IMDb.com, Inc. or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Box Office Mojo and IMDb are trademarks or ...Missing: gross | Show results with:gross
  39. [39]
    Kevin Bacon's Best-Reviewed Movies - Rotten Tomatoes
    May 11, 2016 · The Big Picture (1989) 87%. The-Big-Picture. Before he developed into a full-fledged cult favorite with movies like Waiting for Guffman and ...
  40. [40]
    Kevin Bacon Wins First Film Award | The Big Picture (1989) - YouTube
    Jan 21, 2024 · The Big Picture is NOW PLAYING and can be found to Rent or Buy here: https://bit.ly/3Humvbn Film school grad Nick Chapman thought his career ...Missing: influence | Show results with:influence
  41. [41]
    https://www.instagram.com/michaelvarholphotography/
  42. [42]
    Michael - Tall Palm in West Hollywood; I am a re-photographer. I ...
    Tall Palm in West Hollywood; I am a re-photographer. I shoot ... Michael Varhol Photography profile picture. Michael Varhol Photography. Dec 7, 2024󰞋󱟠. 󰟝 ...
  43. [43]
    Michael - Central Park Bubble Man; Dec 28, 2012 | Facebook
    Dec 4, 2024 · Tall Palm in West Hollywood; I am a re-photographer. I shoot the same subject from the same angle hundreds of times over the decades.
  44. [44]
    https://x.com/michael_varhol
  45. [45]
    Michael Varhol Photography - Facebook
    I am a re-photographer. I shoot the same subject from the same angle hundreds of times over the decades.
  46. [46]
    Streetscapes Photography Exhibition - May 28, 2016 - 1650 Gallery
    Jun 25, 2016 · "Shepard & Sheep on Melrose Ave" by Michael Varhol.