Ernest P. Worrell, played by the great, late Jim Varney, was the star of everything from Mellow Yellow ads to 9 feature films (12 if you count the ones planned before Varney's death). But I know him best from his two holiday movies: Ernest Saves Christmas, and Ernest Scared Stupid.
This movie hits most of the classic Halloween kids flick tropes, but manages to be entertaining, thanks to Varney (and Eartha Kitt). Please note, I didn't say 'good'. Just entertaining.
So, what happens in this "Wacky!" comedy for kids? A troll steals terrified children's souls and seals them into wooden dolls.
This movie scared a lot of kids (not yours truly, but I digress). So many, that it was the last Ernest film released by Touchstone Pictures (AKA Disney). Because Disney hates scaring kids.
Anyway, Ernest is the only adult in town who believes the terrified kids (aside from Eartha Kitt, but she's playing a character that's called crazy more than once). Also, he released the troll, so he's got a stake in this too.
The movie, while scary for small children in conventional ways (evil troll, bullies, etc) stuck with me for one central theme; adults will not help you.
Multiple kids tell their parents about the troll and are dismissed. Fair enough. But then kids start vanishing. The children beg not to be forced to leave their homes, for fear of the monster. Maybe at this point, somebody (perhaps the COP father of the main kid?) should have said "What if there's some weirdo dressed in monster makeup out there, trying to kidnap our children? Maybe someone should look into it."
NOPE! The Moms and Dads just dismiss the kids fears over and over and over again. This is a common trope in most kid-centered movies, from Hocus Pocus to Paranorman. But here, these kids are basically getting murdered. The kids from the start of the movie are in doll form for 50+ years. And the last thing we see/hear any of the kids doing in screaming in terror. This is serious business, and the grownups are useless at best.
As an adult, this puts a whole new fear into the mix. What if your kids were in danger, and you dismissed their pleas for help? You, who are supposed to be their protector above all else?
Replace that Troll with a human predator, you've got a cautionary tale wrapped in delicious Halloweeny goodness.
As a childless adult who no longer cares if other adults believer her wild tales, what treats or terrors does this movie have for me? I love Varney and Kitt's performances. I love the practical effects. I love the cheesy 90's aesthetic, and the real creepy feeling the Troll manages to convey. It's one of my favorite nostalgic Halloween movies.
I give Ernest Scared Stupid six wooden doll children out of ten. A bit better than your average kids flick, but don't expect to get the same joy out of it as your six year old.
This says it all.
This movie hits most of the classic Halloween kids flick tropes, but manages to be entertaining, thanks to Varney (and Eartha Kitt). Please note, I didn't say 'good'. Just entertaining.
So, what happens in this "Wacky!" comedy for kids? A troll steals terrified children's souls and seals them into wooden dolls.
Brought to you by the people who made you terrified of clowns.
This movie scared a lot of kids (not yours truly, but I digress). So many, that it was the last Ernest film released by Touchstone Pictures (AKA Disney). Because Disney hates scaring kids.
Canonical!
Anyway, Ernest is the only adult in town who believes the terrified kids (aside from Eartha Kitt, but she's playing a character that's called crazy more than once). Also, he released the troll, so he's got a stake in this too.
The movie, while scary for small children in conventional ways (evil troll, bullies, etc) stuck with me for one central theme; adults will not help you.
Multiple kids tell their parents about the troll and are dismissed. Fair enough. But then kids start vanishing. The children beg not to be forced to leave their homes, for fear of the monster. Maybe at this point, somebody (perhaps the COP father of the main kid?) should have said "What if there's some weirdo dressed in monster makeup out there, trying to kidnap our children? Maybe someone should look into it."
NOPE! The Moms and Dads just dismiss the kids fears over and over and over again. This is a common trope in most kid-centered movies, from Hocus Pocus to Paranorman. But here, these kids are basically getting murdered. The kids from the start of the movie are in doll form for 50+ years. And the last thing we see/hear any of the kids doing in screaming in terror. This is serious business, and the grownups are useless at best.
As an adult, this puts a whole new fear into the mix. What if your kids were in danger, and you dismissed their pleas for help? You, who are supposed to be their protector above all else?
The shitty audio only makes the screams more visceral.
Replace that Troll with a human predator, you've got a cautionary tale wrapped in delicious Halloweeny goodness.
As a childless adult who no longer cares if other adults believer her wild tales, what treats or terrors does this movie have for me? I love Varney and Kitt's performances. I love the practical effects. I love the cheesy 90's aesthetic, and the real creepy feeling the Troll manages to convey. It's one of my favorite nostalgic Halloween movies.
by pop-monkey
I give Ernest Scared Stupid six wooden doll children out of ten. A bit better than your average kids flick, but don't expect to get the same joy out of it as your six year old.
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