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Ernest Goes to Jail

  • 19901990
  • PGPG
  • 1h 21min
IMDb RATING
5.4/10
9.3K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Ernest Goes to Jail (1990)
ComedyCrimeFamily

Ernest P. Worrell is a bank janitor sent to jail when people mistake his identity for a look-alike.Ernest P. Worrell is a bank janitor sent to jail when people mistake his identity for a look-alike.Ernest P. Worrell is a bank janitor sent to jail when people mistake his identity for a look-alike.

IMDb RATING
5.4/10
9.3K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • John R. Cherry III
  • Writer
    • Charlie Cohen
  • Stars
    • Jim Varney
    • Gailard Sartain
    • Bill Byrge
Top credits
  • Director
    • John R. Cherry III
  • Writer
    • Charlie Cohen
  • Stars
    • Jim Varney
    • Gailard Sartain
    • Bill Byrge
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 44User reviews
    • 13Critic reviews
    • 40Metascore
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See production, box office & company info
  • Photos110

    Ernest Goes to Jail (1990)
    Ernest Goes to Jail (1990)
    Ernest Goes to Jail (1990)
    Ernest Goes to Jail (1990)
    Ernest Goes to Jail (1990)
    Ernest Goes to Jail (1990)
    Ernest Goes to Jail (1990)
    Ernest Goes to Jail (1990)
    Ernest Goes to Jail (1990)
    Ernest Goes to Jail (1990)
    Ernest Goes to Jail (1990)
    Ernest Goes to Jail (1990)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Jim Varney
    Jim Varney
    • Ernest P. Worrellas Ernest P. Worrell…
    Gailard Sartain
    Gailard Sartain
    • Chuckas Chuck
    Bill Byrge
    • Bobbyas Bobby
    Barbara Tyson
    Barbara Tyson
    • Charlotte Sparrowas Charlotte Sparrow
    Barry Scott
    • Rubin Bartlettas Rubin Bartlett
    Randall 'Tex' Cobb
    Randall 'Tex' Cobb
    • Lyleas Lyle
    Dan Leegant
    Dan Leegant
    • Oscar Pendlesmytheas Oscar Pendlesmythe
    Charles Napier
    Charles Napier
    • Wardenas Warden
    Jim Conrad
    • Eddieas Eddie
    Jackie Welch
    Jackie Welch
    • Judgeas Judge
    Melanie Wheeler
    • Prosecutoras Prosecutor
    Jeffrey Buckner Ford
    • Defense Attorneyas Defense Attorney
    • (as Buck Ford)
    Daniel Butler
    • Waiteras Waiter
    Charlie Lamb
    • Another Conas Another Con
    Mac Bennett
    Mac Bennett
    • Conas Con
    Rick Schulman
    • Mean Guardas Mean Guard
    Bruce Arntson
    Bruce Arntson
    • Juroras Juror
    Andy Stahl
    Andy Stahl
    • Jerryas Jerry
    • (as Andrew Stahl)
    • Director
      • John R. Cherry III
    • Writer
      • Charlie Cohen
    • All cast & crew
    See production, box office, & company info

    Storyline

    Edit
    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. —Mark Hettler <markh@nstl.com>
    ernest p. worrell charactersecurity guardfloor cleanerbankchain reaction40 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • Guilty of Maximum Fun in the First Degree!
    • Genres
      • Comedy
      • Crime
      • Family
    • Certificate
      • PG
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      There were a few extended and deleted scenes that were not featured in the original version of the movie, but were in some made-for-TV versions. 1. There was an extended scene where Ernest was washing himself in a washing machine, and was staggering after he stepped out. 2. A scene where Ernest was trying to sneak out of jail and was found by the searchlights. Then, he was making shadow puppets. 3. An extended scene where Nash (as Ernest) was in Mr. Pendlesmythe's office negotiating the clerk job. 4. A deleted scene where Ernest was working as a bank clerk.
    • Goofs
      Even a crooked attorney would know better than to secretly arrange a switch between a criminal and an innocent man.
    • Quotes

      Ernest P. Worrell: Did you hear the one about the three legged dog that walked into a bar and said, "I'm lookin' for the guy that shot my paw."

    • 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;
    • Connections
      Featured in Shameful Sequels: Ernest Goes to Jail (2014)
    • Soundtracks
      Doin' Time
      Music and Lyrics by Bruce Arntson

      Performed by Bruce Arntson

    User reviews44

    Review
    Top review
    7/10
    The best of Jim Varney
    The last good Ernest movie, and the best at that. How can you not laugh at least once at this movie. The last line is a classic, as is Ernest's gangster impressions, his best moment on film. This has his best lines and is a crowning achievement among the brainless screwball comedies.
    helpful•6
    1
    • wgviper13
    • Sep 19, 2001

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 6, 1990 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Official Facebook
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Ernest en prison
    • Filming locations
      • Nashville, Tennessee, USA
    • Production companies
      • Silver Screen Partners IV
      • Touchstone Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $9,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $25,029,569
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $6,143,372
      • Apr 8, 1990
    • Gross worldwide
      • $25,029,569
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 21min
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

    Related news

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    The Importance of Being Ernest Documentary Trailer Celebrates the Legend of Jim Varney
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    Aug 16Indiewire

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