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Ernest Saves Christmas (1988)

Ernest helps Santa Claus as he searches for his successor.

Director:

(as John Cherry)

Writers:

(story), (screenplay) | 1 more credit »
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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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...
...
...
Harmony (as Noëlle Parker)
...
...
Bill Byrge ...
Robert Lesser ...
Marty
Key Howard ...
Immigration Agent
Jack Swanson ...
Buddy Douglas ...
Patty Maloney ...
Beecher Martin ...
Agent Skippy
Barry Brazell ...
George Kaplan ...
Mr. Dillis
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Storyline

An obnoxious and bumbling but well-meaning man attempts to help Santa Claus find a successor. Failure wouild mean that there would be no Christmas. Written by K. Rose <[email protected]>

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Taglines:

He's back! And this time... See more »

Genres:

Comedy | Family | Fantasy

Certificate:

See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

11 November 1988 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Chaotische Weihnachten  »

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Box Office

Budget:

$6,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$5,710,734, 13 November 1988

Gross USA:

$28,202,109
See more on IMDbPro »

Company Credits

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Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Color:

(Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

John Cherry the director of this movie and of most of the other Ernest movies said he thought this was the best of the Ernest movies. See more »

Goofs

When Ernest arrives on the sleigh, the lady with Santa starts to brush away the snow before it starts flying around her head. See more »

Quotes

Ernest P. Worell: [gesturing to Santa's sack] You better check it out.
Santa Claus, aka 'Seth Applegate': Why?
Ernest P. Worell: Call it... Uh, a fifth sense. Call it a flash of intermission, but I just got this feeling deep down in the heart of my bottom.
See more »

Crazy Credits

(closing wishes) Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night! KnoWhutImean? See more »

Connections

Followed by Ernest Rides Again (1993) See more »

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User Reviews

 
It silly. It is harmless. It is fun. And it is underrated
24 November 2009 | by – See all my reviews

Ernest Saves Christmas is a very underrated Christmas holiday flick. I will agree that it is very silly, and certainly not Oscar worthy. Don't expect a sophisticated plot, and a superlative script. Expect a harmless and fun Christmas comedy, that way you are in for a good time.

While very predictable in plotting and rather repetitive and slow in the middle half; especially in the first thirty minutes Ernest Saves Christmas does have its funny moments. And I must say the scene with the magic sleigh was uproariously funny. Amongst the humour, is an in general heart-warming story about Santa and his attempts to find a successor.

The camera-work may be a tad dated, but the music is very nice indeed. And I actually thought the acting is above decent, with the late (and talented) Jim Varney wonderfully spirited as Ernest and Douglas Seale is simply great as Santa. The opening credits with the collage of Christmas carols were a delight.

Ernest Saves Christmas is an above average seasonal comedy about the power of belief and the dignity of an individual. It is far from a masterpiece, but seriously I wasn't expecting it to be. I got exactly what I wanted, a fun film that while predictable and silly is lots of fun too. I do also think it is underrated; there are much worse movies out there, namely any of the Friedberg-Seltzer movies, Home Alone 4 and Superbabies:Baby Geniuses 2. 7/10 Bethany Cox


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