“Nothing But Trouble” – A lost classic

Nothing But Trouble

photo via Wikipedia

My love of strange movies often leads me to some that I wish I’d never seen. Other times it leads me to gems that I just have to share.

Nothing But Trouble is a hilarious comedy with a cast that includes Chevy Chase, Demi Moore, Dan Akroyd and John Candy (not to mention the Digital Underground). Essentially, four travelers get pulled over for a minor traffic violation (and failed attempt at evading a police officer) and are taken in the middle of the night to the reeve of Valkenvania for sentencing. Things only go downhill from there. 

Escape attempts, strange deformed twin grandchildren, and a funhouse ride that’s really a death sentence (literally!) called Mr. Bonestripper are some of the things that the travelers encounter.

Yes, you read that correctly: Mr. Bonestripper.

I can’t make this stuff up. And I’ve tried.

The movie is definitely an older one and though it never did very well in sales, there is a small cult following for it. I think it’s absolutely hilarious and try to show it to friends as soon as I find out they’ve never heard of it. As a bonus, one of my favorite composers scored this film, Michael Kamen. That just makes me love it even more!

I’m also firmly of the belief that House of 1000 Corpses is a really bad ripoff of Nothing But Trouble. Watch the latter and then watch the Rob Zombie film and you’ll see what I mean. Trust me, Nothing But Trouble is definitely more enjoyable and has plenty of laughs amidst things like Mr. Bonestripper and the Twins.

Have you seen it? I’d love to hear your thoughts and what you think about my comparison between it and the Rob Zombie movie.