Ernest Scared Stupid (1991)

Ernest accidentally unleashes an ugly troll that plots to transform children into wooden dolls in the town of Briarville, Missouri.

Director:

John R. Cherry III (as John Cherry)

Writers:

John R. Cherry III (story) (as John Cherry), Coke Sams (story)

Stars:

Jim Varney, Eartha Kitt, Austin Nagler

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jim Varney	...	Ernest / Phineas Worrell
Eartha Kitt	...	Old Lady Hackmore
Austin Nagler	...	Kenny
Shay Astar	...	Elizabeth
Jonas Moscartolo	...	Trantor
John Cadenhead	...	Tom Tulip
Bill Byrge	...	Bobby Tulip
Richard Woolf	...	Matt
Nick Victory	...	Mike
Alec Klapper	...	Joey
Steven Moriyon	...	Gregg
Daniel Butler	...	Cliff
Esther Huston	...	Amanda
Larry Black	...	Mayor Murdock
Denice Hicks	...	Elizabeth's Mother

Storyline

Life could be pretty if there wasn't someone like Ernest P. Worrell on this planet. In this movie he helps to escape an evil troll out of his grave. That's the start of the end for the world. But... Ernest wouldn't be Ernest if he wasn't planning on saving all the people. This action doesn't make it any better. It's getting worse.

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Plot Keywords:

treehouse | troll | evil | missouri | briarville missouri | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Family | Fantasy

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 October 1991 (USA)

Also Known As:

Ernest Scared Stiff

Filming Locations:

Shelby Park, Nashville, Tennessee, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$4,453,132, 14 October 1991

Gross USA:

$14,143,280

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$14,143,280

Company Credits

Production Co:

Touchstone Pictures, Touchwood Pacific Partners 1

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The Chiodo Brothers are credited with Special Effects for this film, who also made the 1988 cult film Killer Klowns from Outer Space (1988). Look for Trolls in the finale that resemble Klowns, as well as the same spinning death effect.

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Goofs

The citizens are seen burying Trantor alive. What they failed to notice is that he has magical powers. He could have easily disappeared and reappeared some where else. They should have instead ripped him to pieces and burned them so he wouldn't be able to come back to life.

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Quotes

Kenny: Ernest I got it! What we need is a tree house!
Ernest P. Worrell: I thought we needed dress shields.

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Crazy Credits

Eartha Kitt's character stares at the camera briefly when movie ends

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Connections

Follows Knowhutimean? Hey Vern, It's My Family Album (1983)

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Soundtracks

Hallelujah Chorus
from "The Messiah"
Composed by George Frideric Handel
Arranged by Louis Knatchbull
Courtesy of Associated Production Music

User Reviews

More Innocent Than It Is Stupid

This was the first "Ernest" movie, I think, that I watched and I was surprised that it wasn't as stupid as I thought it was or the title convinced me it would be. It really wasn't "stupid" until the last 20 minutes, but a lot of movies get really dumb in the last half hour.

For most of the movie, it was nice, lighthearted fun that - cliché aside - is fun for the "whole family." There is nary a bad one word in this movie and it's old-fashioned slapstick fun and about as innocent as it gets.

Having said that, I realize a lot of people would still consider the movie as a dumb one but I always liked Jim Varney and laughed at the most of the stuff he did, beginning with those famous TV commercials of his.

In the last 30 years, how many comedies do you see without a tons of sex and profanity? Almost none......so give "Ernest" some slack.