Ernest Goes to Jail (1990)

Bumbling Ernest P. Worrell is assigned to jury duty, where a crooked lawyer notices a resemblance with crime boss Mr. Nash, and arranges a switch. Nash assumes Ernest's job as a bank ... See full summary »

Director:

John R. Cherry III (as John Cherry)

Writer:

Charlie Cohen

Stars:

Jim Varney, Gailard Sartain, Bill Byrge

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jim Varney	...	Ernest P. Worrell / Mr. Felix Nash / Auntie Nelda
Gailard Sartain	...	Chuck
Bill Byrge	...	Bobby
Barbara Tyson	...	Charlotte Sparrow (as Barbara Bush)
Barry Scott	...	Rubin Bartlett
Randall 'Tex' Cobb	...	Lyle
Dan Leegant	...	Oscar Pendlesmythe
Charles Napier	...	Warden
Jim Conrad	...	Eddie
Jackie Welch	...	Judge
Melanie Wheeler	...	Prosecutor
Jeffrey Buckner Ford	...	Defense Attorney (as Buck Ford)
Daniel Butler	...	Waiter
Charlie Lamb	...	Another Con
Mac Bennett	...	Con

Storyline

Bumbling Ernest P. Worrell is assigned to jury duty, where a crooked lawyer notices a resemblance with crime boss Mr. Nash, and arranges a switch. Nash assumes Ernest's job as a bank employee, while Ernest undergoes Nash's sentence to the electric chair. But instead of killing him, the electrocution gives Ernest superhuman powers, enabling him to escape from jail and foil Nash's attempt to rob the bank.

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Plot Keywords:

jury duty | electric chair | court | electrocution | four word title | 

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Taglines:

Guilty of Maximum Fun in the First Degree!

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Genres:

Comedy | Crime | Family

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

6 April 1990 (USA)

Also Known As:

Ernesto pierde su puesto

Filming Locations:

Tennessee, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$6,143,372, 8 April 1990, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$25,029,569

Company Credits

Production Co:

Touchstone Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

81 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Among the famous eccentric actors whom Ernest imitates in jail when trying out for "Mr. Nash", are James Cagney, Walter Brennan, Humphrey Bogart, Barry Fitzgerald, Sylvester Stallone, and James Mason.

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Goofs

The pan lid flies into Ernest's face in the restaurant with its handle towards him. When he pulls it off, the handle is facing away from him.

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Quotes

Ernest P. Worrell: Like in real, really, really, really, really real prison? The hoose-gow, the slammer, the joint, Alcatraz, San Quentin, Sing Sing, Oh no. I'm in... I'm in... jail!

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Alternate Versions

When aired on TV, this movie has extra scenes not features in the home video release. Like: When Ernest get's both steel balls cuffed to his legs, he originally started with one but he pulls another stunt and the bailef makes it two; At the very end, Ernest is finally a bank clerk, his computer shorts out and he becomes magnitized once again, except nothing metal clings to him. Except the file cabinets back for a rematch; Ernest getting his last meal before going to the chair;

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Connections

Follows Dr. Otto and the Riddle of the Gloom Beam (1985)

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Soundtracks

Coconut Tree
Music and Lyrics by Bruce Arntson
Performed by Bruce Arntson

User Reviews

Jim Varney's Best Ever!!!

Ernest Goes To Jail is the 3rd installment in the popular series, and in my humble opinion, the best. Jim Varney brings so much humor and character to the table in whatever he is in. So many jokes in the Ernest movies I did not get as a child, however, after viewing them as adults, I find them even more funny. Ernest was actually quoting Shakespeare and his arrogant soliloquies were classic. Varney shines in this movie:doing all the different voices, faces, and characters we have grown to love. What I really like about this film is his portrayal of Mr. Nash,the villain. Jim Varney does a complete 180 turn from his bumbling, idiotic Ernest P. Worrell. The look, the voice, and the attitude are very different from the other character, which is a what a good actor should do if playing 2 roles. Varney pulls them both off remarkably well. Also Chuck and Bobby provide great slapstick humor as always, and this film is a comedy classic that can be viewed by all ages. Jim Varney left this old world way too fast, but he also left us comic treasures in film such as this movie.