Positively absurd, wholly original, and wonderfully grotesque tale from the Darkside contains priceless warped humor certain to tickle the funnybone of us who enjoy such bonkers subject matter. It concerns a dead grandfather who simply refuses to accept that he is deceased despite the fact that he has no heartbeat, is becoming stiffer as the days go by, continues to fight off flies, with his flesh slowly deteriorating, not to mention, a stink that permeates, as the locals (including the doc who pronounced him dead and the pastor who attempts to convince him he should "fly with the angels") become uneasy about his presence. Eddie Bracken (Preston Sturges' The Miracle of Morgan's Creek) is a hoot as Grandpa Titus Tolliver, too damn stubborn to listen to reason, doesn't want to just lie down and let go despite the fact that he has croaked, the evidence couldn't be any clearer (you'd think the consistently rotting flesh and growing number of flies, as well as, the inability to walk without forcing your stiff legs to obey would be enough), as the persistence of others wants him to (truth is, he's gross to look at in his present condition, and is starting to look more and more like a zombie, all that's missing is his hunger for brains), but demands proof, although I'm not sure what else can be done to tell the old buzzard that he's completely and utterly dead. This episode shows Titus in stages of decay, Eddie still full of life and vibrant as he was when alive, despite his corpse's unwillingness to follow suit. A couple of fresh faces here that would become more well known later on, such as Christian Slater as the grandson, terrible at trying to speak South (he pronounces poison, "paisen"), and Brent Spiner (later to star on Star Trek: The Next Generation as android Data) as the over-the-top pastor, Reverend Peabody. The setting is in the South, with the archetypes exaggerated Hollywood renditions of what they consider Southern characters during the 20s or whatever. Barbara Eda-Young is the disturbed and worn-out daughter of Titus (and Slater's mom) Ma Tolliver. Bill McCutcheon (Santa Claus Conquers the Martians) has a funny cameo as the town doc who tries in every way he knows how to convince Titus is dead, to no success, eventually fleeing the premises in failure. The loss of a nose is used to supreme effect and Tresa Hughes, as a voodoo woman, has a campy part as Slater desperately will go to her when all else has failed to get Titus to end this whole morbid affair. Like the characters themselves, their dialogue is also exaggerated Southern speak, Hollywood's idea of how they talked and acted in the past.
16 Reviews
A gem. A fun and well liked episode of the series. Grandpa just won't die.
blanbrn15 March 2009
This "TFTD" episode "A Case of the Stubborns" is fun and clever really one of the better ones of the series and it's notable as Christian Slater is in one of his earliest roles. It involves a country family a woman and her son(Christian Slater in one of his first roles)who have just recently lost a family member. That happens to be the father of the woman and the grandpa of the boy he died, yet oddly enough the next morning at the breakfast table he shows up! Looking just as old and stiffed wrinkled as can be! The makeup and graphics of this episode were well done. They try to talk to grandpa to tell him he's dead yet he's stubborn and will not listen. Only each time his skin ages more and he looks more and more dead. Strangely it ends with the little boy getting some magic of his own to take care of the situation in a magical and comical way, that's all I will say I don't want to spoil it for those who haven't seen it. Overall well liked and good episode one of the series best.
A funny episode that was pretty clever.
TOMNEL2 August 2006
Guest stars young Christian Slater.
In this episode we are treated to an old man. We start off grieving his death with the mother and the son (Slater). Then we are introduced to our recently deceased old man. It's another game of cat and mouse where Christian Slater tries to prove that his grandfather is dead. It was well acted and directed and the gore effects are gross and cool. The ending is quite humorous, and it was an overall funny and light hearted episode. Brent Spiner makes a guest appearance as the priest that visits the house.
My rating: Great episode. 21 mins. TV PG V
In this episode we are treated to an old man. We start off grieving his death with the mother and the son (Slater). Then we are introduced to our recently deceased old man. It's another game of cat and mouse where Christian Slater tries to prove that his grandfather is dead. It was well acted and directed and the gore effects are gross and cool. The ending is quite humorous, and it was an overall funny and light hearted episode. Brent Spiner makes a guest appearance as the priest that visits the house.
My rating: Great episode. 21 mins. TV PG V
A black comedy episode made by the performance of Eddie Bracken.
b_kite18 August 2019
Our episode starts with Jodie (a young appearance from Christian Slater in another rare role from a notably known actor) and his mom are grief-stricken by the passing away of Jodie's grandfather Titus, but they soon find themselves with a lot more to be upset about when he gets determined not to stay dead. And after talks from both the local doctor and preacher fail to convince the old man that he is gone, Jodie ventures out to the old voodoo woman for help, in witch she gives him the only remedy certain to persuade him. This one will always be known for its appearance from a young Christian Slater despite the fact its actually Eddie Bracken that makes this one worth the watch as the old grandpa Titus, he's got this old time Walter Brennan thing going on and at times produces some genuine comedy here and there. As for comedy it just that a black comedy, there no truly horror or supernatural elements here other the the grandfather who won't stay dead and that's never explained other then he's just being stubborn. Overall I like black comedies so this one isn't to bad.
We loved Grandma, but when his smelly corpse comes down to eat and stay with us...
jasonbourneagain22 November 2018
Then we have to draw the line. This episode is black comedy that's smelly and entertaining. The doctor who pronounced Grandpa dead comes by to examine him again and verify that he has no heartbeat and no breath so he's dead. Doc says he's deader than a Thanksgiving turkey. He even shows the living corpse his own death certificate. Still, Grandpa who looks ghastly in his mortician's makeup refuses to admit he's dead. He continues to stink, rot and come down to eat with his daughter and grandson.
Grandpa has decayed even more when the preacher comes by to tell him that he's not making a "social" call, but to tell him that it's time to go. However, he failed to convince Grandpa with his preaching that he takes a drink from the moonshine jug. He tells mom and son that he's got other parishioners to visit. But Mom doesn't know what to do so asks him what to do. He says all that's left is prayer and takes the moonshine jug with him. The flies are gathering around Grandpa, so his grandson asks him if he wants a flyswatter. Mom still doesn't know what to do even though she prays. However, the son has a plan to find out how to get Grandpa to be convinced that he should go. The ending is awesome.
Grandpa has decayed even more when the preacher comes by to tell him that he's not making a "social" call, but to tell him that it's time to go. However, he failed to convince Grandpa with his preaching that he takes a drink from the moonshine jug. He tells mom and son that he's got other parishioners to visit. But Mom doesn't know what to do so asks him what to do. He says all that's left is prayer and takes the moonshine jug with him. The flies are gathering around Grandpa, so his grandson asks him if he wants a flyswatter. Mom still doesn't know what to do even though she prays. However, the son has a plan to find out how to get Grandpa to be convinced that he should go. The ending is awesome.
"You were deader than a thanks giving turkey." One of the best episodes.
poolandrews18 September 2007
Warning: Spoilers
Tales from the Darkside: A Case of the Stubborns starts one sombre morning in the Toliver household, Ma Toliver (Barbara Eda-Young) is trying to come to terms with the death of her father Titus (Eddie Bracken) along with her son Jody (Christian Slater) whom he was like a father to. Then they are amazed to see him walk down the stairs, sit at the breakfast table & ask for some food. It seems the stubborn old man won't accept that he has died & his daughter & grandson both have a hard time convincing him that he has...
Episode 9 from season 1 this Tales from the Darkside story originally aired in the US during December 1984, directed by Jerry Smith this has to be one of the very best stories from the series & is up there with Inside the Closet as the best episode so far. The script by James Houghton was based on a story by famed short story author Robert Bloch & is a delight to watch & has a dark sense of black humour running through it, the quaint story of an old man who refuses to believe he is dead is a great idea & he's such a likable character that when his time finally comes at the end it's quite sad. This one has an original story, good character's, a light hearted tone & some genuine emotion as well. It's the little details I liked here, for instance when Titus sits outside & loads of flies start buzzing around him, his stiff joints because of rigor mortis & his ever decaying face give this one a lot of individual charm. At only 20 odd minutes it's great watch which is both light hearted & horrific.
The special make-up effects on Titus are great, he looks like he belongs in one of executive producers George A. Romero's zombie films, the make-up effects are about as gory as this series has been so far. The cast includes a young Christian Slater who would go on to appear in the big screen spin-off Tales from the Darkside: The Movie (1990) as well as an overacting Brent Spiner who would later go on to play Data in 176 episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987 - 1994) but it's Eddie Bracken as Titus who puts in the best performance.
A Case of the Stubborns is a neat Tales from the Darkside episode that has a dark sense of humour & actually tries to be horrific as well, one of the show's best.
Episode 9 from season 1 this Tales from the Darkside story originally aired in the US during December 1984, directed by Jerry Smith this has to be one of the very best stories from the series & is up there with Inside the Closet as the best episode so far. The script by James Houghton was based on a story by famed short story author Robert Bloch & is a delight to watch & has a dark sense of black humour running through it, the quaint story of an old man who refuses to believe he is dead is a great idea & he's such a likable character that when his time finally comes at the end it's quite sad. This one has an original story, good character's, a light hearted tone & some genuine emotion as well. It's the little details I liked here, for instance when Titus sits outside & loads of flies start buzzing around him, his stiff joints because of rigor mortis & his ever decaying face give this one a lot of individual charm. At only 20 odd minutes it's great watch which is both light hearted & horrific.
The special make-up effects on Titus are great, he looks like he belongs in one of executive producers George A. Romero's zombie films, the make-up effects are about as gory as this series has been so far. The cast includes a young Christian Slater who would go on to appear in the big screen spin-off Tales from the Darkside: The Movie (1990) as well as an overacting Brent Spiner who would later go on to play Data in 176 episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987 - 1994) but it's Eddie Bracken as Titus who puts in the best performance.
A Case of the Stubborns is a neat Tales from the Darkside episode that has a dark sense of humour & actually tries to be horrific as well, one of the show's best.
I still remember this one as clearly as when I first saw it in 1984!
planktonrules18 April 2011
Warning: Spoilers
Normally I do not review TV shows or movies I've seen years ago--just recently viewed things. However, when I saw the Japanese short "Dead Girl Walking" (2004), it was so similar to this installment of "Tales of the Darkside" I decided to finally review it--as it's as clear in my mind as if I saw it last week! Why? Because it was so gross...and funny...very, very funny!
The show begins with a very subdued mother and her teenage son (a young Christian Slater). You learn they are sad because Grandpa (Eddie Bracken) just died. However, in a bizarre twist, the old man is SO stubborn that he soon gets out of his deathbed and insists that they make him dinner! But, he really is dead--and through the course of the show, he begins to deteriorate and smell! It's pretty disgusting and the family is not at all pleased that he's still with them. So, his daughter comes up with an idea--and idea that calls for some pepper! Tune in to this one and see what I mean.
This one is just so funny and well-written that I can't recommend it enough. Plus, Eddie Bracken was a great old pro and here he is definitely at his best. See this---just not on a full stomach!
The show begins with a very subdued mother and her teenage son (a young Christian Slater). You learn they are sad because Grandpa (Eddie Bracken) just died. However, in a bizarre twist, the old man is SO stubborn that he soon gets out of his deathbed and insists that they make him dinner! But, he really is dead--and through the course of the show, he begins to deteriorate and smell! It's pretty disgusting and the family is not at all pleased that he's still with them. So, his daughter comes up with an idea--and idea that calls for some pepper! Tune in to this one and see what I mean.
This one is just so funny and well-written that I can't recommend it enough. Plus, Eddie Bracken was a great old pro and here he is definitely at his best. See this---just not on a full stomach!
Fun, gruesome black comedy
Leofwine_draca28 April 2015
A CASE OF THE STUBBORNS is one of the better episodes of TALES FROM THE DARKSIDE, although that doesn't make it great. It's an episode pitched as a black comedy, and it's actually fairly amusing for a change, which is probably down to the story being based on a tale by master craftsman Robert Bloch.
The narrative is straightforward enough: a cantankerous grandfather dies in the night, but comes down for breakfast the next morning acting as if nothing has happened. In other words, he's refusing to accept that he's turned into a zombie. The makeup effects are particularly disgusting in this episode, and the tale features a prominent performance from a youthful Christian Slater. Watch out for STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION's Brent Spiner playing a reverend.
The narrative is straightforward enough: a cantankerous grandfather dies in the night, but comes down for breakfast the next morning acting as if nothing has happened. In other words, he's refusing to accept that he's turned into a zombie. The makeup effects are particularly disgusting in this episode, and the tale features a prominent performance from a youthful Christian Slater. Watch out for STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION's Brent Spiner playing a reverend.
Dark comedy
Bored_Dragon3 November 2017
It does not matter if you are watching whole show or not, because every episode stands by itself as short movie, and this one you don't want to miss. While series is mostly based on horror and mystery, this episode is comedy. Of course, to preserve spirit of the show it is black comedy. Mother and son are just about to eat when grandpa who passed away last night decides to join their meal. Family, doctor, priest, undertaker, everyone tries to explain him that he's dead and he shouldn't just walk around like nothing happened, but old man is too stubborn to even listen, so he puts them all in uncomfortably but funny situations. In this episode young Christian Slater plays one of his earliest roles.
8/10
8/10
Silly and Funny
claudio_carvalho10 March 2022
The widow Ms. Tolliver and her son Jody are having breakfast, grieving the death of Grandpa Titus Tolliver in the last night. Titus has supported the family and they are extremely sad. Out of the blue, Titus sits at the table and asks for his breakfast. Ms. Tolliver and Jody try to convince him that he is dead, but the stubborn Titus does not accept. They summon Dr. Snodgrass and Reverend Peabody, but nobody is capable to convince the old man that he is dead. Jody decides to visit the Voodoo Woman seeking for help.
"A Case of the Stubborns" is a silly and funny episode of "Tales from the Darkside". It is good to see Brent "Data" Spiner and the boy Christian Slater in this show. My vote is seven.
Title (Brazil): "A Case of the Stubborns"
"A Case of the Stubborns" is a silly and funny episode of "Tales from the Darkside". It is good to see Brent "Data" Spiner and the boy Christian Slater in this show. My vote is seven.
Title (Brazil): "A Case of the Stubborns"
Terrific episode
Woodyanders16 January 2013
Warning: Spoilers
Ornery and obstinate old coot Grandpa Titus Tolliver (a marvelously cantankerous performance by veteran character actor Eddie Bracken) refuses to admit he's dead and persists on walking about the day after he passes away. Director Gerald Cotts, working from a clever and inspired script by James Houghton that's based on a short story by legendary horror author Robert Bloch of "Psycho" fame, delivers a flavorsome evocation of the downhome Deep South setting and brings a certain offbeat homespun charm to the quirky material. Moreover, the ace acting by the tip-top cast keeps the show humming: A very young Christian Slater does engaging work as determined grandson Jody, who comes up with a crafty plan to convince Titus that he's really deceased; Bill McCutcheon has a funny and juicy part as the bumbling Dr. Snodgress, Brent Spiner has a field day as the intense and persistent Reverend Peabody, Barbara Edna-Young registers well as the distraught Ma Tolliver, and Tresa Hughes makes the most out of her colorful small role as a batty voodoo woman. Kudos are also in order for Ed French's nicely grotesque make-up. However, it's the way this episode ingeniously mines a wickedly hilarious line in often sidesplitting pitch-black humor that gives it an extra amusing kick: Grandpa Titus attracts lots of flies, becomes more hideous looking by the minute, and ultimately winds up sneezing his own nose off (!). One of the definite highlights of the first season.
Fun episode
BandSAboutMovies6 August 2022
Warning: Spoilers
What's worse than a death in the family? How about a death that won't go away?
Jodie (Christian Slater!) and his mother (Barbara Eda-Young) were upset when Grandpa Titus (Eddie Bracken, Roy Walley from National Lampoon's Vacation) died, but now that he's up and about and rotting, well things are even more horrifying because the old man may be just too stubborn to stay dead. Not even Dr. Snodgrass (Bill McCutcheon, Droppo from Santa Claus Conquers the Martians) and Reverend Peabody (Brent Spiner) can convince him that he's not living any longer.
Reverend Peabody tells Grandpa that once his body is in the grave, his soul will be free to go to Heaven. The old man replies that if Heaven is so great, the holy man should go there himself, which causes Peabody to condemn him.
It finally takes Jodie - and a pepper from a voodoo woman played by Tresa Hughes - to convince Grandpa that he's not of this world any longer. It's sad, but it takes love to say goodbye.
This episode was directed by Gerald Cotts and written by James Houghton from a Robert Bloch story. Slater would return for Tales from the Darkside: The Movie.
Jodie (Christian Slater!) and his mother (Barbara Eda-Young) were upset when Grandpa Titus (Eddie Bracken, Roy Walley from National Lampoon's Vacation) died, but now that he's up and about and rotting, well things are even more horrifying because the old man may be just too stubborn to stay dead. Not even Dr. Snodgrass (Bill McCutcheon, Droppo from Santa Claus Conquers the Martians) and Reverend Peabody (Brent Spiner) can convince him that he's not living any longer.
Reverend Peabody tells Grandpa that once his body is in the grave, his soul will be free to go to Heaven. The old man replies that if Heaven is so great, the holy man should go there himself, which causes Peabody to condemn him.
It finally takes Jodie - and a pepper from a voodoo woman played by Tresa Hughes - to convince Grandpa that he's not of this world any longer. It's sad, but it takes love to say goodbye.
This episode was directed by Gerald Cotts and written by James Houghton from a Robert Bloch story. Slater would return for Tales from the Darkside: The Movie.
"I'm not hard of hearing, I'm just tired of hearing."
Hey_Sweden4 January 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Veteran actor Eddie Bracken ("National Lampoons' Vacation") makes the most of his lead role here, as he plays the cantankerous Grandpa Tolliver. Grandpa had supposedly passed away the previous night, but he keeps walking around and talking up a storm and refusing to acknowledge his demise. What he needs, he says, is PROOF that he's died. Meanwhile, his understandably unnerved daughter (Barbara Eda-Young, "Serpico") and grandson (Christian Slater, in one of his earliest gigs) try to think of a way to deal with their problem.
'A Case of the Stubborns' was scripted by actor James Houghton ("Superstition"), based on a story by Robert Bloch, and it's a great deal of darkly comic fun. It gets a lot of its entertainment value from the lively, crotchety performance by Bracken, and appealing work by Eda-Young and Slater. Also thunderstruck by Grandpas' determined refusal to lay down and die are the town doctor (Bill McCutcheon, "Steel Magnolias") and reverend (a hilarious Brent "Data" Spiner). Adding to the mirth is the fact that Grandpa keeps looking grosser and grosser; the makeup effects are pretty good. Character actress Tresa Hughes ("The Sentinel") is a hoot as a dotty "voodoo woman" whom grandson Jody turns to for help.
In the end, Grandpa *does* get his proof - in a priceless bit of grossness that really is the final word on this engaging episode. Despite the black comedy element, the director, Gerald Cotts (who guided four episodes of the series in total), knows how to maintain a light touch. Good fun.
Seven out of 10.
'A Case of the Stubborns' was scripted by actor James Houghton ("Superstition"), based on a story by Robert Bloch, and it's a great deal of darkly comic fun. It gets a lot of its entertainment value from the lively, crotchety performance by Bracken, and appealing work by Eda-Young and Slater. Also thunderstruck by Grandpas' determined refusal to lay down and die are the town doctor (Bill McCutcheon, "Steel Magnolias") and reverend (a hilarious Brent "Data" Spiner). Adding to the mirth is the fact that Grandpa keeps looking grosser and grosser; the makeup effects are pretty good. Character actress Tresa Hughes ("The Sentinel") is a hoot as a dotty "voodoo woman" whom grandson Jody turns to for help.
In the end, Grandpa *does* get his proof - in a priceless bit of grossness that really is the final word on this engaging episode. Despite the black comedy element, the director, Gerald Cotts (who guided four episodes of the series in total), knows how to maintain a light touch. Good fun.
Seven out of 10.
Love. Love. Love this episode.
shellytwade14 January 2022
A Nose KNOWS!
buckikris30 April 2016
Warning: Spoilers
After the death of grandpa, a mother and her son are at the breakfast table. They are both talking about last night and how they will miss grandpa. It's not to long after that they hear a noise upstairs from the bedroom. The both look at each other and wonder what it could be. All of a sudden grandpa comes downstairs and sits at the table for breakfast. They are both shocked, because he is suppose to be dead. They both tell him that he died last night, but he refuses to believe them. So grandpa goes on like nothings wrong. He ventures out to the porch and there the doctor explains what happened to him and when. As time goes by grandpa begins to decompose rapidly. It gets so bad that mom tells her son to go by the voo-doo woman's house and see what she can do for them. She gives him a powder to take home. It's a pepper powder that will do the trick. All they have to do is put the powder in the napkin. When it's dinnertime they all sit down and grandpa gets his napkin and all of a sudden he sneezes into the napkin. When grandpa gets up he realizes the truth. At the end of the show in the napkin is grandpa's nose. This is another great episode from Tales From The Darkside. When great makeup effects and stars Christian Slater, Brent Spiner, and Eddie Bracken as Grandpa.
This one is creepy!
Ru-Dy3 April 2023
One of my favorites of the Tales from the Darkside series! Eddie Bracken was the perfect choice for this creepy role of an undead grandpa. It gets right to it, with its own brand of humor and creepiness that builds as it goes on. Bracken's natural features were a perfect match for this role, and as he begins to deteriorate, even more so! The storyline is great, and with a young Christian Slater as the grandson, it is an enjoyable, and yes scary watch! It makes you wonder if something like this has really happened before. This one still gives me the creeps to this day, and I will watch it every time it shows! Get your popcorn, hot dogs and candy ready, but best eat the food first, and fast!
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