Ernest Goes To Jail

Movie #25

Date Released: 4.6.90

Date Watched: 7.12.2020

Reaction:

I saw this little documentary about Jim Varney and how he wound up in this role as Ernest. I was too young to appreciate where the whole craze came from but it’s an interesting enough trajectory. Varney was a classically trained actor who made a decent run at the stand up scene in LA. But when he couldn’t get into the acting scene, he went back to the south (Georgia?) to become a carpenter and handyman. An ad exec, Don Cherry, remembered Varney and thought he was perfect for an ad for one product. This was when he created the Ernest character.

Ernest was that blue collar guy, that neighbor or uncle, that everyone knew, and he spoke right to the camera and felt like he was talking to you from his home or your home or some non-studio location. In fact, many commercials were filmed at Cherry’s house. Ernest grew in popularity so much that he was one of the most sought after spokespeople for products for a few years in the 90’s. When Varney showed up at an event as Ernest, at which Mickey Mouse was also present, Cherry saw how much more popular Ernest was and decided to cash in by making some movies. I think Ernest Goes To Camp was the first and this might have been the second. 

I do remember enjoying this movie quite a bit as a kid. Here we go…

Well, apparently it’s JOHN Cherry. But, regardless, while this movie is pretty stupid in many ways, I laughed quite a bit. Varney was a pretty funny guy and the movie has some real chuckles. And, since it’s short and never takes itself seriously, I’d say this wasn’t half bad.

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