My favorite parts of Ernest movies is when he plays several different characters one after another. This one has the mother of them all with him doing about two dozen different people in a sketch of his relative Davey Worrell. A real knee-slapper as he changes from one guy to another guy without letup. A great watch.
14 Reviews
Character Study
madamswe3 December 2006
Even if you think the Ernest movies are stupid, this movie is much more a showcase of Jim Varney's characterization talent. He's got a rubber-band voice and a face that moves in every possible direction, and each scene in this movie takes Ernest's seed of an idea in some really interesting directions. It was really nice seeing a movie where whoever has copyright control over the Ernest character finally said, "Okay Jim, why don't you go nuts," which is basically what happens here: just a string of scenes about Ernest's relatives or ancestors where Jim Varney plays basically everybody. Definitely worth renting on a Friday night.
Jim Varney is sorely missed, very funny stuff
diabetic_madness4 October 2006
The various skits are all Jim Varney. I have to admit that the production is pretty low in quality, but this doesn't stop Varney from having a good time. When he's a gambler he turns his head and his cigar pokes the southern belle in the cheek and we hear the thing singe her, its hilarious. When he reads from the telephone book as if its the Bible there is seldom anything so crazy. He tells his son, "Mistake" that he's gonna read from the big book, 1st Condiminiums...
When he is Pop in the last skit, there is no doubt but that he is a comic genius who can just pull funny stuff from nowhere. "You know what's wrong with that thing? That strings too long. It takes too long for that ball to go from here to there... or maybe that paddles too small, I don't know." I wish he were still around simply so he could be alive, second so he could produce more frenetic crap like this. Its just plain fun. Enjoy.
When he is Pop in the last skit, there is no doubt but that he is a comic genius who can just pull funny stuff from nowhere. "You know what's wrong with that thing? That strings too long. It takes too long for that ball to go from here to there... or maybe that paddles too small, I don't know." I wish he were still around simply so he could be alive, second so he could produce more frenetic crap like this. Its just plain fun. Enjoy.
Incredible
myglock3627 September 2004
Back in my single days, my roommates and I had every line memorized from the skit where he portrayed every single character in a frontier standoff between the occupants of a fort and the dreaded "Beige foot"
His true gift was mimicry; in that one skit he portrayed every conceivable war movie stereotype; John Wayne, Walter Brennan, a British officer, an Irish soldier, "Cookie" the fort's cook, and an assortment of others. In one of his later movies, Earnest Goes to Jail, he slips into the roll of Sylvester Stallone and then James Mason w/o missing a beat. He just had an amazing gift. The sad part is most people just think of him as the bumbling kid movie star
We'll miss you big guy....
His true gift was mimicry; in that one skit he portrayed every conceivable war movie stereotype; John Wayne, Walter Brennan, a British officer, an Irish soldier, "Cookie" the fort's cook, and an assortment of others. In one of his later movies, Earnest Goes to Jail, he slips into the roll of Sylvester Stallone and then James Mason w/o missing a beat. He just had an amazing gift. The sad part is most people just think of him as the bumbling kid movie star
We'll miss you big guy....
Side splitting
bug7621 January 2011
I'm a sucker for Ernest and I sat through his movies(quite happily) all day just to write down every character and voice he portrayed. All in all, Jim played and/or voiced 61 distinct characters and that's only the 'Ernest' related ones. I dare any one in Hollywood to find me an actor capable of such true genius without using one sexual remark or one swear word. There's just no way. I'm a big Jim Varney fan but if you're fan or not, you must watch these skits. Jim Varney was one of the best at creating and bringing to life the characters and he transitions from one character to the next so smoothly, it looks effortless. For example: the 'Davy Worrell' skit, he goes from one character and voice to another without missing a beat. My personal favorite 'person' in this 'movie' is "Billy 'Boogie' Worrell". As crazy as Jim can make his face appear, from squishing it up to dressing as 'Auntie Nelda', I must admit, this character was sexy. The deep raspy voice, sunglasses, jewelry, the knit cap, sleeveless shirt and disco music really made this character. I know I'm not the only one who thinks so. Jim Varney had the ability to make himself look absolutely hilarious just by being Ernest and then looking positively good looking. Yeah, as you can tell, I'm a Jim Varney fanatic. These skits show off the true skill that only Jim had. I couldn't stop laughing at 'Great Uncle Lloyd Worrell', especially when he named his son, 'Mistake' and pretended to eat steak and lobster when the plates were empty. 'Pop Worrell' made me laugh so hard, tears were coming out of my eyes. He would just say whatever came into his head regardless if it made any sense or not. Jim was the master of disguise. You can hardly imagine that Billy Boogie, Lloyd and Pop are really all Jim Varney. In real life, however, Jim Varney had a near genius IQ so playing these characters must have been a treat. He was a genius at making me laugh so hard, I hurt. When I pop in one of his DVD's I get a little sad because I know there will be no more. It's still sometimes hard to believe he's gone. RIP, Jim. You will be forever missed. Remember, that you were a wonderful person and a brilliant actor. 1949-2000.
He will be missed
Minstrelman11 February 2000
Although not a great example of cohesive film making, this film is a great example of what can be done when fun is included in the making of a piece of entertainment. This is also a great platform for Jim Varney's great talent for range and voices. He plays almost every character, and it is great fun to watch him go from the bumbling Ernest to Uncle Lloyd, the meanest man in the world, to the dozen or so characters he does as Corporal Davey Worrell. Come on, it's just for fun. If you find it, rent it, and prepare to belly laugh. Jim Varney will be missed. We need more of that silliness in Hollywood today.
had me laughing all the way through
iheartjv15 July 2005
This is one movie that any Jim Varney fan or Ernest fan should not pass up!! Ernest is digging through stuff in his attic and comes across his family album and reminisces about the people that are photographed in it. My personal favorite is the sketch about pop worrell and young ernest going on a fishing trip ( it is a hoot!!!) All of them are funny and Jim Varney displays his talent at personifying different characters. Another one of my favorites is Rhetch worrell and the poker game ( oh my goodness, you can't beat this one, it is so far fetched that it is funny). If I say anymore, i'd be saying too much. Anyway my main point is that this "movie" ( not really but kind of) is worth watching even if you are not a Jim Varney or Ernest fan. It is one that the whole family will laugh at until the end and you will want to watch it over and over again. If you find this one anywhere on the net, buy it, this one is rare and it is worth the time and effort that was spent on finding it.
Scary Good, and also, just plain scary
Brett_Buck10 September 2002
This video contains some pretty amazing skits. Some are amazingly funny, and some are so amazingly bad that it just makes you shake your head.
The most alarming of the skits is the Corporal Davy Worrell sketch. This is done so well it's downright scary. It's a magnum opus of schizophrenic behavior so real you have to wonder why he didn't wind up in the rubber room next to Jonathan Winters. The "Meanest Man in the World" segment has pretty decent acting. And the string of non-sequiter utterances during the Pops Worrell skit is one for the ages.
Others, in particular the "Billy Boogie" segment, are absolutely dreadful and embarrasing to watch. Trust me, this is why the "FF" button was invented. Even worse than the "Earnest" movies, if you can imagine such a thing.
The production values are pretty awful, but that doesn't really detract. I actually lived very near most of the locations in central Kentucky, like the repro Fort Boonesboro in the Davy Worrell segment. I ran model boats in the creek in the Pops skit, and I have seen the abandoned bus in which Queequeg lives. Talk about a brush with fame!
The most alarming of the skits is the Corporal Davy Worrell sketch. This is done so well it's downright scary. It's a magnum opus of schizophrenic behavior so real you have to wonder why he didn't wind up in the rubber room next to Jonathan Winters. The "Meanest Man in the World" segment has pretty decent acting. And the string of non-sequiter utterances during the Pops Worrell skit is one for the ages.
Others, in particular the "Billy Boogie" segment, are absolutely dreadful and embarrasing to watch. Trust me, this is why the "FF" button was invented. Even worse than the "Earnest" movies, if you can imagine such a thing.
The production values are pretty awful, but that doesn't really detract. I actually lived very near most of the locations in central Kentucky, like the repro Fort Boonesboro in the Davy Worrell segment. I ran model boats in the creek in the Pops skit, and I have seen the abandoned bus in which Queequeg lives. Talk about a brush with fame!
Hilarious and inane
Op_Prime24 January 2000
Like all the Ernest movies, this video has some very hilarious parts as well as some inane parts. But does it matter? No. As a Ernest fan, I really watch something with Ernest to see what bone headed move he'll make next. In this video, Jim Varney plays some of his relatives. Some of it is a little annoying, but it's mostly just plain fun.
If you don't like this movie, then you're not a good person
coloneltl25 December 2003
The best comedy that no one has ever seen. Jim was a master of the comic impression, his routine of Davey Boone Varney, or whomever he was defending the fort against a whole bunch of Beigefeet Indians (we not really beige, maybe oystershell or ...). I don't think he ever did better work, or made me and four friends laugh harder. Geez, I wish I could find a copy of that tape.
One of his best efforts
richsap28 January 2006
I caught this show by accident the night it aired on television and taped it. It is hilarious, and Jim Varney was at his comedic best. If it is available on video and you are a Jim Varney fan, I highly recommend this one.
Jim Varney plays several characters in this film. Each character has the same goofiness, yet is distinct in very funny ways. I believe this was probably the basis for his 'Vern' characters in his later works. I was sad to see him pass away. Even though I didn't care for the "Earest" series of movies that much, I think this was a reflection on the writers and not the actor.
Jim Varney plays several characters in this film. Each character has the same goofiness, yet is distinct in very funny ways. I believe this was probably the basis for his 'Vern' characters in his later works. I was sad to see him pass away. Even though I didn't care for the "Earest" series of movies that much, I think this was a reflection on the writers and not the actor.
I miss ya Jim
Mattswife9714 September 2002
Anybody who don't like these types of movies probably doesn't like the Naked Gun Series. My dad loved him so much that he bought a paper mask with his face and act like him. "Hey Vern, you know what I mean?" I expecially loved him in those gas commercials. This film is when Jim is in the attic and he finds his family album. He tells him about his family. I loved the one with the carnival. The music and the way he looked. I used to have this tape but it got dirty and ruined. I wish I still had it. It's been so long since i've seen it I can't remember much of it. =(
Jim Varney's Best
2715 September 2003
While you can see it don't have a big budget, it is better than it's current rating. I taped it when it was on TV back in 1984 and still like to pull it out and watch. I especially liked the Davy Worrell (remember Luke?) and Billy Boogie ("BOOGIE!") sketches. I have watched some of Jim's movies and not liked them very much but this video has a lot of good laughs.
Some good parts, some inane parts.
Cobra-1023 June 1999
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