Ernest Goes to Jail (1990)

13% of critics liked it
(8 reviews)
47% of users liked it
(42,064 ratings)

In Ernest Goes to Jail, Jim Varney returns as leering idiot savant Ernest P. Worrall, star of scores of TV commercials and feature films. Varney also takes on a second role in the film: an unrepentant, cold-blooded murderer named Felix Nash. When Ernest serves on the jury for Nash's murder trial,… More In Ernest Goes to Jail, Jim Varney returns as leering idiot savant Ernest P. Worrall, star of scores of TV commercials and feature films. Varney also takes on a second role in the film: an unrepentant, cold-blooded murderer named Felix Nash. When Ernest serves on the jury for Nash's murder trial, Nash arranges for look-alike Ernest to go to jail, while he stays on the outside to plan a major bank heist. Fortuitously for the criminal, it's the same bank where Ernest works as a security guard. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 21 min.
Directed By: John R. Cherry III
Genres: Comedy, Kids & Family

In Theaters: Apr 6, 1990 Wide
On DVD: Sep 3, 2002

Critic Reviews

Luke Y. Thompson, New Times
Jim Varney at the peak of his comedic powers, playing two instantly distinctive roles. If you only ever see one Ernest movie, make it this one.
Frank Ochieng, TheWorldJournal.com
Here's one fictitious Ernest sequel that fits my sentiments exactly: "Ernest Gets on my Last Nerve". "Nuff said...
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
He was convicted for homicidal mugging.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Derek D

The question isn't why did I watch this film, but instead why did I watch THE ENTIRE THING START TO FINISH? Not funny. Not even stupid funny, though Jim Varney was a terribly underrated actor in his lifetime.
Aaron N

Felix Nash: Is everyone who works here a moron?
Stacy A

Such an awesome movie by the late great Jim Varney. Nobody gets electrocuted like Varney. I got a kick out of Felix Nash. Varney did an excellent job playing a bad guy and he was quite sexy in my opinion. Auntie Nelda, played by Varney, is always a hoot. Even though she always seems… More
Such an awesome movie by the late great Jim Varney. Nobody gets electrocuted like Varney. I got a kick out of Felix Nash. Varney did an excellent job playing a bad guy and he was quite sexy in my opinion. Auntie Nelda, played by Varney, is always a hoot. Even though she always seems somewhat bitter about her bad son, she makes me laugh everytime. Jim did such a wonderful job voicing other characters during a prison cell scene when Lyle is helping him turn into Mr. Nash. Varney was the master of disguise with so many different voices. Even though Mr. Nash and Ernest had on the same outfit, they hardly looked anything alike. That goes to show you how versatile an actor Jim Varney was. I love these types of movies. They are good, clean fun. It's a good thing I have these movies on DVD because the VHS's wouldn't been worn out by now. Jim Varney, you are a legend. R.I.P.
Curtis L

Good for an Ernest movie.
Lafe F

Goofy country boy Ernest gets framed and put in jail. I liked the funny courtroom scene. I thought the prison settings were silly and low-budget. Nothing really bad happens to Ernest behind bars, so don't worry kids!
James A

If a film can be likened to poetry, this is surely one. -J. Peters
Juan C

to be honest, i thought this film was funny, innocent, and even lots of fun to watch. but it's way to wacky and dumb, but that what works, it's slapstick humor is what makes me like this movie and even give lots of credit to it's lead actor. B+
Curt C

It's an "Ernest" movie starring Jim Varney.

Read all 8 featured audience ratings

Cast

Jim Varney
as Ernest P. Worrell
Gailard Sartain
as Chuck
Bill Byrge
as Bobby

Barbara Bush
as Charlotte Sparrow
Barry Scott
as Rubin Bartlett
Randall "Tex" Cobb
as Lyle

See full cast

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