Ernest Scared Stupid
Ernest unwittingly unleashes an evil troll on Halloween.
**Ernest Scared Stupid** is a 1991 American comedy horror film directed by John Cherry, starring Jim Varney and Eartha Kitt. It marks the fifth appearance of the character Ernest P. Worrell and the fourth installment in the *Ernest* film series, coming after *Ernest Goes to Jail* (1990). The story follows Ernest, who accidentally frees a malicious troll in a small town on Halloween night and then aids local children in battling the creature.
The movie hit theaters on October 11, 1991, earning $14.1 million at the box office. It was the last *Ernest* film distributed by Touchstone Pictures under a multi-picture agreement. The next series entry, *Ernest Rides Again*, came out in November 1993.
**Plot**
In the late 1800s, the demonic troll Trantor turns children into wooden dolls to feed on their energy in Briarville, Missouri. The townspeople capture him and seal him beneath an oak tree, with Reverend Phineas Worrell—Ernest’s ancestor—setting the seal. Trantor curses the Worrell family, declaring he can only be freed on October 30, the night before Halloween, by a Worrell. The curse ensures each generation grows “dumber and dumber and dumber,” until the most foolish member releases him.
A century later, Ernest, a sanitation worker, helps middle school friends Kenny Binder, Elizabeth, and Joey build a treehouse in that same tree, unaware it holds the dormant troll. After Old Lady Hackmore discovers this and storms off, Ernest follows her, learns Trantor’s story, and foolishly shares it with the kids. He accidentally frees the troll.
Joey is walking home when he hears rustling, slips into a muddy hole, and Trantor grabs him, turning him into a wooden doll. Ernest tells Sheriff Cliff Binder, Kenny’s father, but Binder doesn’t believe him. With townsfolk busy preparing for a Halloween party, Ernest mounts a one-man (and one-dog) defense. Trantor captures a boy on a skateboard as his second victim.
Tom and Bobby Tulip sell Ernest fake troll traps, but one backfires on the mayor’s sons, costing Ernest his job. Ernest, Kenny, and Elizabeth learn from Hackmore that only “the heart of a child, and a mother’s care” can defeat the troll. That night, Trantor sneaks into Elizabeth’s house and turns her into a doll. Later, he uses Elizabeth’s voice to lure Kenny and his friend Gregg, taking Gregg as a fourth victim.
Quick Facts
- Director
- John Cherry
- Producer
- Stacy Williams
- Screenplay
- Charlie Gale / Coke Sams
- Story
- John Cherry / Coke Sams
- Starring
- Jim Varney
- Music
- Bruce Arntson / Kirby Shelstad
- Cinematography
- Hanania Baer
- Editing
- Craig Bassett
- Studio
- Touchstone Pictures / Touchwood Pacific Partners I / Emshell Producers Group
- Distributor
- Buena Vista Pictures Distribution
- Released
- 11 October 1991
- Runtime
- 89 minutes
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The plot begins in the late 19th century in Briarville, Missouri, where the demonic troll Trantor transforms children into wooden dolls to feast on their energy. The townsfolk seal him under an oak tree, with Rev. Phineas Worrell, ancestor of Ernest P. Worrell, establishing the seal. Trantor curses the Worrell family, stating he can only be released on October 30 by a Worrell, and that each generation will get dumber until the dumbest member sets him free. One hundred years later, Ernest, a sanitation worker, helps middle school friends build a treehouse in the same tree containing the dormant troll. After learning the story from Old Lady Hackmore, Ernest inadvertently releases Trantor. The troll captures several children, turning them into wooden dolls. Ernest learns from Hackmore that only 'the heart of a child, and a mother's care' can defeat the troll. Kenny realizes 'mother's care' refers to milk, and rallies a team to fight the trolls with milk. Trantor becomes invincible by summoning underworld powers, but Ernest defeats him by overwhelming him with unconditional love and a kiss, causing Trantor to explode. All victims are restored.
Reader's Guide
Ernest Scared Stupid is notable as the fourth film in the Ernest series and the final one released by Touchstone Pictures under a multi-picture deal. It was directed by John Cherry, who conceived the premise of Ernest stopping a bad guy with a mission and chose trolls as the antagonist, leading to a Halloween-themed film. The film was released theatrically on October 11, 1991, and grossed $14.1 million in the United States, placing fourth in its opening weekend with $4.4 million from 1,782 theaters. Critical reception was generally unfavorable, with a 27% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 11 critics and a Metacritic score of 38 out of 100 based on 5 critics. The film had its first DVD release on September 3, 2002, and was later re-released as part of a triple feature set. It remains a cult entry in the Ernest franchise, remembered for its blend of comedy and horror elements.
Did You Know?
- The film was originally announced under the title Ernest Scared Stiff in two issues of Variety published June 10 and July 22, 1991.
- Principal photography took place from May to July 1991 in Nashville, Tennessee.
- The next film in the series, Ernest Rides Again, was released in November 1993.
- The film features Eartha Kitt in a supporting role.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ernest Scared Stupid?
It is a 1991 comedy-horror film in which Jim Varney's Ernest P. Worrell accidentally unleashes a wicked troll on Halloween night and then helps a group of local kids fight the creature. The movie is the fourth entry in the Ernest film franchise.
What role does Ernest play in Ernest Scared Stupid?
Ernest is the unwitting catalyst: he frees the evil troll by mistake, and his central job in the story is rallying the children of the small town to battle the monster he set loose.
How does Ernest Scared Stupid end?
Ernest and the kids work together to defeat the troll he accidentally released, putting an end to its Halloween-night rampage and saving the town.
Why is Ernest Scared Stupid significant to the Ernest franchise?
It was the last Ernest picture distributed under Touchstone Pictures' multi-picture deal, marking a distribution shift for the series. It also represents the fifth on-screen appearance of the Ernest P. Worrell character.
Who directed Ernest Scared Stupid and who else starred?
John Cherry directed the film, with Eartha Kitt appearing alongside Jim Varney in the cast. It opened in theaters on October 11, 1991, and collected roughly $14.1 million at the box office.
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