Comedy,Family
United States of America
Ernest Saves Christmas is a 1988 American Christmas comedy film directed by John R. Cherry III and starring Jim Varney. The movie begins with Santa Claus (Douglas Seale) deciding to retire after delivering toys to children for centuries. He searches for someone to replace him and finds struggling children's television show host Joe Carruthers (Oliver Clark). He convinces Joe to take his place by asking him to help deliver the magic bag of toys to a deserving child.
Ernest P. Worrell (Jim Varney), a taxi driver and aspiring actor, is also recruited to help Santa Claus. Ernest is initially skeptical of the idea of Santa Claus and his magic, but eventually teams up with him to help Joe deliver the toys. Along the way, they encounter a runaway teenage girl named Harmony Starr (Noelle Parker), whom they take under their wing.
The trio faces several challenges as they try to deliver the toys in time for Christmas. They are pursued by an overzealous security guard, a police officer who mistakes them for thieves, and a group of children who want the magic bag for themselves.
In the end, Santa Claus is able to retire and Joe takes over as the new Santa Claus, promising to continue the tradition of bringing joy to children on Christmas. Ernest, who has learned the true meaning of Christmas, returns to his job as a taxi driver but keeps the magic of Christmas alive in his heart.
Ernest Saves Christmas was a commercial success and became a holiday classic. It was followed by two sequels, Ernest Goes to Jail (1990) and Ernest Scared Stupid (1991).
