Deadtime Stories (Freaky Fairytales) (1986)

31% of users liked it
(612 ratings)

Inspired by traditional fairy tales, this trio of gruesome and darkly-comic vignettes is framed by the story of a lethargic uncle who can't seem to alleviate his bratty young nephew's fear of the dark, trying his hand at a few warped, testosterone-fueled versions of his favorite bedtime tales. The… More Inspired by traditional fairy tales, this trio of gruesome and darkly-comic vignettes is framed by the story of a lethargic uncle who can't seem to alleviate his bratty young nephew's fear of the dark, trying his hand at a few warped, testosterone-fueled versions of his favorite bedtime tales. The first installment, "Peter and the Witches," tells the story of a young fisherman (Scott Valentine) enslaved by two shape-shifting witches who are trying to bring their sister back to life; he later rebels against his masters after falling in love with the virgin they've captured as a sacrifice. The goofy second chapter involves "Little Red Running Hood" -- a somewhat shapelier modern version of the classic heroine -- whose jog to Granny's house leads to a showdown with a pill-popping weirdo whose anti-werewolf remedy got switched with Granny's prescription. Still unable to satisfy the demanding tyke, the exhausted uncle pulls out all the stops for the final tale, in which the Three Baers -- a family of murderous crackers -- encounter the telekinetic Goldi Lox, a malevolent cutie who shares the Baers' penchant for death and dismemberment. Originally titled Freaky Fairy Tales, this plodding, pedestrian film wandered in distribution limbo until Valentine's role in "Family Ties" lent some degree of marquee value. The cynical closing (in which the nephew's fears turn out to be justified) is rather satisfying, though. ~ Cavett Binion, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 33 min.
Directed By: Jeffrey Delman, Jeffrey S. Delman
Genres: Mystery & Suspense, Horror

In Theaters: Oct 1, 1986 Wide
On DVD: Jun 19, 2007
Studio: Continental Home Video

Critic Reviews

Lucius Gore, ESplatter
All in all, this is a bad horror and bad comedy film.
Alex Sandell, Juicy Cerebellum
Sickly twisted in parts, but not worth a rental.
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
Forgettable low-budget anthology schtick.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Featured Audience Ratings

AJ V

One of the worst anthology horror movies I've ever seen. Only one story is any good, but the others are stupid and not even scary.
Dead A

I saw this in a very horrible print. The fairy tales were sort of raped. A bad storyteller would make up that kinda stories. I mean who will talk about "Adult Thingy" in front of a child. He wanted to hear something miserable but not a porn story or whatever. The ending was… More
I saw this in a very horrible print. The fairy tales were sort of raped. A bad storyteller would make up that kinda stories. I mean who will talk about "Adult Thingy" in front of a child. He wanted to hear something miserable but not a porn story or whatever. The ending was weird. This was no near watchable. Don't recommend this to watch.
A.D. V

Just twisted and stupid enough to be entertaining. For hardcore 80's fans only.

Cast

            Scott Valentine as Peter

            Nicole Picard as Rachel

            Cathryn de Prume as Goldi Lox

            Melissa Leo as Melissa Mama Baer

            Michael Mesmer as Uncle Mike

            Matt Mitler as Willie

            Brian de Persia as Little Brian

            Kevin Hannon as Beresford "Papa" Baer

            Timothy Rule as Wilmont Baby Baer

            Casper Roos as Vicar

            Phyllis Craig as Hanagohl

            Jeffrey S. Delman as Strangling Man

            Bryant Tausek as Man at Car

            Suzanne Vaucher as Weather Girl

            Anne Redfern as Florinda

            John Bachelder as Drugstore Clerk

            Heather L. Bailey as Girl in Store

            Beth Belty as Reporter

            Michael Berlinger as Greg

            Ron Bush as Bank Guard

            Lisa Cain as Living Magoga

            Oded Carmi as Postman

            Caroline Carrigan as Nurse

            Kathy Fleg as Miranda

            Leigh Kilton as Seductress

            Fran Lopate as Grandma

            Michele Mars as Waitress

            Patrick McCord as Anchorman

            Jim Nocell as Dead Body

            Harvey Pierce as Capt. Jack B. Quick

            Lesley Sank as Reviving Magoga

            Barbara Seldon as Seductress

            Rondell Sheridan as Looney Bin Guard

            Robert Trimboli as Lt. Jack B. Nimble

            Leif Wennerstrom as Dead Body

            Cathryn DePrume
            
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