Ernest Saves Christmas (1988)

Director:

John R. Cherry III

Writers (WGA):

Ed Turner (story)
B. Kline (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

11 November 1988 (USA)

Genre:

Family | Comedy

Tagline:

A holiday comedy unlike any other!

Plot:

Ernest helps Santa Claus as he searches for his successor.

Plot Keywords:

Christmas | Santa Claus | Holiday | Sequel | Lifting Person In Air

Cast

Jim Varney	...	Ernest P. Worrel / Aster Clement, the governor's student / Auntie Nelda ('Mrs. Brock, Marty's Mother') / The Snake Guy
Douglas Seale	...	Santa Claus / 'Seth Applegate' / 'Mr. Santos'
Oliver Clark	...	Joe Curruthers
Noelle Parker	...	Harmony Star / 'Pamela Trenton'
Gailard Sartain	...	Chuck
Bill Byrge	...	Bobby
Billie Bird	...	Mary Morrissey
Robert Lesser	...	Marty Brock
Key Howard	...	Immigration Agent
Jack Swanson	...	Businessman
Buddy Douglas	...	Pyramus
Patty Maloney	...	Thisbe
Beecher Martin	...	Agent Skippy
Barry Brazell	...	Cab Passenger
George Kaplan	...	Mr. Dills

Runtime:

95 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:L | USA:PG

Filming Locations:

Nashville, Tennessee, USA

Company:

Silver Screen Partners IV

Trivia:

During filming, production ran into trouble when the reindeer began to shed their antlers, so replacement antlers had to be obtained.

Goofs:

Audio/visual unsynchronized: Ernest shouts to the nervous taxi passenger after pushing him on the conveyor belt, yet his lips don't move.

Quotes:

Animal Officer #1: [they have just discovered the particulars of Chuck's animal control problem] Oh... FLYING... reindeer. Um, that's not us. You want air traffic control.
Animal Officer #2: Um... yeah.
[they flee]

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Kenan & Kel: Doing Things the Hemingway (#1.2)" (1996)

Earnest I am when I say this is an enjoyable, family flick for the holidays

Ernest (Jim Varney) is a cab driver who runs the airport routes in a big city. One day, he crashes his taxi into the unloading area of the airport and must make a beeline out of the site. Seeing a white-bearded gentleman who needs a cab, he hustles the old guy into his clutches and speeds off. Although Ernest sings "O Christmas Tree" with only these three words, he's really a nice guy. But, when the bearded one tells Ernest that his name is Santa Claus, Ernest doesn't really believe him. He drops the old man off, however, at a retirement home, as requested. Picking up a Christmas tree that fell off a truck and a homeless young teenage girl with an attitude, Ernest makes his way over to Vern's house to decorate. But, wait. The old man left his red, very large duffle-type bag on board. As Ernest opens the bag, he gets a glimpse of the bag's magical powers. Could this really have been Santa? Trying to return the sack to Mr. Claus, Ernest learns, however, that the old man has been thrown in jail. Is it up to Ernest to make sure Santa can fly on his big day? This is a sweet and fun family film that borrows a bit from Miracle on 34th Street and other holiday flicks. There is only one Ernest, of course, and Varney provides much comedic mayhem with his unique character. Just watch him talk about "channel number 5 perfume" or a "failure to accumulate" and you will be laughing heartily. His expressions are priceless, too. The rest of the cast, although unknown, are fine as well. No one will find fault with the look of the film, either, as the costumes, sets, and production values are high. Perhaps you have heard that Varney's humor is sometimes of the gross-out nature and you would rather not share his films with your family. Please, do reconsider when it comes to this one. Its humor is infectious, not offensive, and its sweet tale will warm the hearts of its viewers. So, make a batch of mulled, spiced cider and buttered popcorn and put this one into the home theater machine in the very near future.