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Goosebumps
S1.E8
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Piano Lessons Can Be Murder

  • Episode aired Dec 8, 1995
  • Not Rated
  • 22m
IMDb RATING
6.8/10
959
YOUR RATING
Brenda Devine and Géza Kovács in Goosebumps (1995)
AdventureComedyDramaFantasyHorrorMysteryThriller

When Jerry and his family move into a new house, he finds a long-abandoned piano. After deciding to take lessons, however, a ghost warns him that the music school he attends is not what it s... Read allWhen Jerry and his family move into a new house, he finds a long-abandoned piano. After deciding to take lessons, however, a ghost warns him that the music school he attends is not what it seems.When Jerry and his family move into a new house, he finds a long-abandoned piano. After deciding to take lessons, however, a ghost warns him that the music school he attends is not what it seems.

  • Director
    • William Fruet
  • Writers
    • R.L. Stine
    • Billy Brown
    • Dan Angel
  • Stars
    • Ben Cook
    • Barclay Hope
    • Carolyn Scott
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.8/10
    959
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • William Fruet
    • Writers
      • R.L. Stine
      • Billy Brown
      • Dan Angel
    • Stars
      • Ben Cook
      • Barclay Hope
      • Carolyn Scott
    • 5User reviews
    • 1Critic review
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos5

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    Top cast8

    Edit
    Ben Cook
    Ben Cook
    • Jerry Hawkins
    Barclay Hope
    Barclay Hope
    • Mr. Hawkins
    Carolyn Scott
    Carolyn Scott
    • Mrs. Hawkins
    Aron Tager
    Aron Tager
    • Dr. Shreek
    • (as Aaron Tager)
    Géza Kovács
    Géza Kovács
    • Mr. Toggle
    • (as Geza Kovacs)
    Brenda Devine
    • The Ghost
    Erica Luttrell
    Erica Luttrell
    • Kim
    Patrick Doyle
    • R.L. Stine in Opening Credits
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • William Fruet
    • Writers
      • R.L. Stine
      • Billy Brown
      • Dan Angel
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews5

    6.8959
    1
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    10

    Featured reviews

    7nebohr

    Stick With Baseball

    Another fun, creepy, campy episode. It wasn't plain to us what was happening with the piano (and the ghost playing it) until nearly the very end. A good story with good actors.
    3gianmarcoronconi

    Really bad

    This episode is really bad, it makes no sense and for its entire duration you just wait for it to end up going to the next one, it even manages to create an atmosphere of embarrassment when it makes no sense that there is.
    7Calicodreamin

    Good hands

    Well this episode gets high marks for a definite creep factor. The story is out their weird, but the ghost and the room full of hands playing pianos are stuff of nightmares.
    9The_Rider2004

    One of the Scariest depictions of a "Song" EVER

    Jerry like most kids has a wild imagination, and hates playing the Piano. As a kid I enjoyed playing it, so I have a soft spot, my Piano teacher was lovely. And I really had fun playing "Hot cross Buns". So that was a good sign, as Jerry can sort of relate to me and other kids.

    He was Brilliant at playing the Piano, and even started to get abit of an interest, albeit slim, he was sort-of interested and wanted to see how it worked, so for me this is around 4th place, or 5th, I haven't decided yet. But I do enjoy the relatable side of the story, and the scares of the Hands playing is nightmare fuel.

    Jerry has Dr. Seek, who turns out to not be who he says he is, and wants to take his hands to play a song Forever, the song is eerie, catchy and vibey and gets stuck in your head for that reason. I enjoyed playing Piano as a kid, and miss my teacher deerly. If you somehow see this, which I know there's a 99.9% chance that you won't. Then Thankyou for Everything.

    Oh and I do like how it feels like the olden days where people used to play outside and go out. I enjoyed that element. So for me it's one of the better episodes. So I'll give it its flowers and the praise it deserves.

    I'm giving it a 9.97 because of my teacher and me, the friendship part, and the relatable scenes, also the scares still hold-up.

    Related interests

    Still frame
    Adventure
    Will Ferrell in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
    Comedy
    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama
    Elijah Wood in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
    Fantasy
    Mia Farrow in Rosemary's Baby (1968)
    Horror
    Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway in Chinatown (1974)
    Mystery
    Cho Yeo-jeong in Parasite (2019)
    Thriller

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      This episode is based on Goosebumps book #13.
    • Goofs
      At the end, when credits appear, Aron Tager is mispelled as "Aaron Tager"
    • Quotes

      [Mr. Toggle screams in fright seeing the ghost, who has saved Jerry from taking his hands]

      The Ghost: You've gone too far! I warned you! This time you've gone too far, Andrew Toggle!

      Mr. Toggle: [pouts] I've tried my best!

      The Ghost: You were just a lazy boy - very clever, but lazy. You could have mastered all your pieces if you'd only practiced!

      Mr. Toggle: I did! I practiced every day! 'Faster, Andrew!' Again, Andrew!' But it was never good enough for you!

      [Mr. Toggle sobs]

      The Ghost: Practice makes perfect, Andrew Toggle. It's time for your lesson!

      Mr. Toggle: [cries harder] No! No! NO!

    • Connections
      Featured in Goosebumps: Piano Lessons Can Be Murder Commercial (1995)
    • Soundtracks
      Goosebumps Theme
      Written by R.L. Stine and Jack Lenz

      Performed by Jack Lenz featuring Cal Dodd

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 8, 1995 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • Canada
    • Official sites
      • Official Facebook
      • Official Facebook
    • Language
      • English
    • Filming locations
      • Toronto, Ontario, Canada
    • Production companies
      • Lenz Entertainment
      • Protocol Entertainment
      • Scholastic Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 22m
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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