ERNEST
SAVES CHRISTMAS was only the second feature film to star Jim Varney's
commercial pitch-man-turned-American icon, but for my money is the best
of the lot. Santa Claus has decided to retire and comes to Florida to
recruit his replacement. Along the way,
he meets up with your old buddy Ernest, and the two join forces to save
Christmas as well as help out a teen runaway. A fast clip, solid
performances, and a funny script are produced under the quality
associated with Disney. The film was a hit, and Ernest was back on
theater screens very shortly. Produced right around the same time was
the Saturday morning series Hey Vern, It's Ernest!, which recycled a
number of props created for ERNEST SAVES CHRISTMAS (as well as the earlier DR. OTTO AND THE RIDDLE OF THE GLOOM BEAM). This one features a
number of brilliant slapstick routines and sharp dialog, balanced
against some genuine drama. I always try to work this one into my
seasonal viewing.
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