Ernest Goes to Jail (1990)

User Rating:

4.6/10   

Director:

John R. Cherry III

Writer (WGA):

Charlie Cohen (written by)

Release Date:

6 April 1990 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Crime | Family

Plot:

Bumbling Ernest P. Worrell is assigned to jury duty, where a crooked lawyer notices a resemblance with crime boss Mr...

Plot Keywords:

Jury Duty | Court | Electrocution | Electric Chair | Sequel

Cast

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

Runtime:

81 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:L | Australia:PG | UK:PG | USA:PG

Filming Locations:

Nashville, Tennessee, USA

Company:

Touchstone Pictures

Trivia:

Of all the famously eccentric actors whom Ernest imitates at a mirror in jail, Sylvester Stallone is the only actor who was not a classic one at the time. He is the only actor who was still alive and who was still acting in movies during and after the time this movie was made.

Goofs:

Audio/visual unsynchronized: Right after the waiter gives the menus to Ernest and Charlotte, the camera angle changes and you can see him walking away, and hear him saying "I'll give you a minute to look over your menus" as if he was still standing there.

Quotes:

[Ernest and the crew he's with are being forced to go into a jail cell, and Ernest is mistaking the prison he's in for his jury crew, and a guard comes up from behind him and hits him]
Ernest P. Worrell: I hope you've got a good story to tell my boss! After all, I do have a living to earn.
Mean prison guard: Now look, Nash -...
Ernest P. Worrell: My name is "Worrel, Ernest P. Worrel."
Mean prison guard: Oh, Mister Funny-Man, huh? Yeah, Mister Funny-Man. You'll think funny when you're tapping to the tune of 2-20, son!
[throws him into his cell, right next to them]
Ernest P. Worrell: That is the rudest bailiff I have ever seen in my life.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Saved by the Bell: From Nurse to Worse (#2.16)" (1990)

Soundtrack:

Coconut Tree

All Hail Varney!

If I had to decide which was the best Ernest movie, and don't act like that sort of thing doesn't happen all time, it would be this one.

All of the Ernest movies are entertaining, but the best ones are the ones that have Jim Varney doing a number of different characters. Additionally, I am known to enjoy the comedy stylings of Bill Byrge and Gailard Sartain as brothers Chuck and Bobby Tulip. "Ernest Goes to Jail" contains all of those elements as well as a funny script and a supporting cast that features several beloved character actors.

And that is why I have chosen "Ernest Goes to Jail" as the king of all Ernest movies. Disagree with me if you must, but deep down you know I am right.