Nothing But Trouble (1991) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Chris decides to take what he believes is a scenic detour off the New Jersey Turnpike while driving to Atlantic City. This decision is portrayed as a spur-of-the-moment choice, seemingly motivated by his desire to impress Diane by taking a more interesting route rather than the straightforward highway.

• chris thorne
• detour
• valkenvania
• scenic route
• new jersey turnpike

The judge and his eccentric family harbor a longstanding grudge against wealthy individuals, specifically bankers, whom they blame for their financial ruin. This stems from a poor coal deal in the early 1900s that bankrupted the Valkenheiser family. As a result, anyone deemed a "banker" or wealthy person faces the grim fate of being fed into the death machine called Mr. Bonestripper.

• judge valkenheiser
• bankers
• grudge
• coal deal
• revenge
• mr. bonestripper

Mr. Bonestripper is a terrifying death machine used by Judge Valkenheiser to execute anyone he deems a "banker" or wealthy individual. The machine literally strips the bones from the victim's body, disposing of their remains in a grotesque fashion. Chris nearly faces this grim fate before the machine malfunctions, allowing him to escape.

• mr. bonestripper
• death machine
• execution
• judge valkenheiser
• torture device

After Chris is caught sneaking into the judge's personal chambers, Eldona (the judge's mute granddaughter) discovers him. The judge decrees that Chris must marry Eldona as punishment and to save his life. This bizarre sentence is characteristic of the judge's twisted sense of justice and provides Chris with a way out of his immediate death sentence.

• chris
• eldona
• forced marriage
• judge valkenheiser
• punishment

Just as Chris is about to be fed into Mr. Bonestripper, the machine unexpectedly malfunctions. This mechanical failure gives Chris the opportunity to break free from his restraints and escape. He then rushes to rescue Diane from the salvage yard where she was being held.

• chris escape
• mr. bonestripper
• malfunction
• rescue diane
• valkenvania

After escaping from Valkenvania, Chris and Diane report their harrowing ordeal to the authorities, only to discover that every law enforcement officer in the area is in cahoots with Judge Valkenheiser. This explains how the judge is able to operate his extrajudicial system of justice without any interference from local law enforcement.

• police corruption
• sheriff dennis
• judge valkenheiser
• valkenvania police
• conspiracy

The underground coal fires cause a catastrophic collapse that destroys the town of Valkenvania, seemingly killing the judge, Officer Miss Purdah, and the troll-like creatures. However, in the final scene, Chris sees a news report revealing that the judge has survived and plans to move in with Chris and Diane in New York City, setting up the movie's comedic ending.

• judge survival
• valkenvania collapse
• coal fire
• ending
• sequel setup

Fausto and Renalda Squiriniszu are a flashy brother and sister duo referred to as the "Brazillionaire" siblings. While Chris and Diane are traveling to Atlantic City, the Squiriniszus encounter them and decide to tag along on the journey uninvited, adding an unpredictable element to the group dynamic.

• fausto
• renalda
• squiriniszu
• brazillionaire
• tag along
• atlantic city

Eldona is the judge's mute granddaughter who does not speak throughout the film. While the movie doesn't explicitly explain why she is mute, she communicates through actions rather than words. She is inadvertently destructive, constantly dismantling Chris's BMW 733i, which adds to the film's absurd and chaotic tone.

• eldona
• mute
• judge granddaughter
• communication
• valkenheiser family

Bobo and Lil' Debbull are the judge's troll-like grandchildren who are banned from the main house. They reside in the dilapidated salvage yard where Diane encounters them. While the movie doesn't explicitly show their fate, they are likely killed when Valkenvania collapses due to the underground coal fires, along with the judge and Officer Miss Purdah.

• bobo
• lil debbull
• trolls
• grandchildren
• valkenvania collapse
• salvage yard

Digital Underground, an alternative rap group, is also being held captive in the judge's bizarre courthouse. When Chris calls out for help, they respond and perform for the judge. The judge is so impressed by their performance that he releases both them and Chris from custody, making them unexpected allies in the escape.

• digital underground
• rap performance
• judge impressed
• released
• allies
• valkenvania courthouse