When it comes to Christmas movies, the options are unlimited. For those who prefer timeless classics, films like “It’s a Wonderful Life,” “Miracle on 34th Street,” and “A White Christmas” are go-to choices.” “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” and “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas” are also solid, traditional choices.
However, if you’re tired of classic and traditional, there are many options for you, as well, and “Ernest Saves Christmas” should be at the top of your list. The quirky film starring the late Jim Varney was released in 1988, and, while it has a 40% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, fans insist you have to be a Grinch to dislike it.
In “Ernest Saves Christmas,” a forgetful Santa Claus has chosen his successor and is on his way to tell him. But then, he forgets his magic sack in the cab of Ernest P. Worrell (Varney). After Santa gets arrested, Ernest bails him out. He also promises to help him with his mission before the clock strikes 7:00 p.m.
Read on to see photos and learn more about the film’s stars.
Jim Varney
Jim Varney originally created the beloved character of Ernest for commercials. But after he became wildly popular, he and his catchphrase, “Knowhutimean?” moved to TV and films. “Ernest Saves Christmas” was the second film in the “Ernest” series after “Ernest Goes to Camp,” but the third film to feature the character.
GettyHe also had an extensive career voicing characters in “The Simpsons,” “Hercules,” and Slinky in the first two “Toy Story” films. After Varney died of lung cancer in 2000 at age 50, his friend, Blake Clark, took over the role.
Douglas Seale
The veteran British actor and director Douglas Seale played Santa Claus. He made his acting debut in the 1930’s and 40s, but then took a 30-year break from films. He reappeared in 1982 in the series “The Edge of Night.” Seale also performed on the stage. In 1984, he was nominated for a Tony Award for “Noises Off.”
Like Varney, he often provided voice work, including “The Rescuers Down Under” and Sultan in “Aladdin.” Seale passed away in 1999 at the age of 85.
Noelle Parker
Noelle Parker played Harmony Starr, a teenage runaway who accompanied Ernest on his quest to free Santa and helped him find his successor. Ultimately, Starr, whose real name was Pamela Trenton, called her mother and decided to return home.
After “Ernest Saves Christmas,” Parker played Amy Fisher in “Amy Fisher: My Story,” and Veronica in the TV movie version of Kevin Smith’s cult classic “Clerks.” In 2018, she appeared in the film “We Only Know So Much” after an 18-year hiatus. In 2024, a GoFundMe was started for the actress after developing pneumonia, which led to septic shock.
Oliver Clark
Oliver Clark plays Joe Carruthers, the man whom Santa wants to make his successor. As a children’s program host, he displayed kindness and goodness towards children, which is why Santa decided he should be his replacement.
Clark began his acting career in the 1960s and quickly became a character actor. He appeared in “The Bob Newhart Show,” “M*A*S*H,” “Barney Miller,” and “Murder One.” The 86-year-old’s final acting role was as Mr. Walsh on the TV series “Ed” in 2003.
Billie Bird
Comedian and character actress Billie Bird portrayed Mary Morrissey, an employee at the Children’s Museum. She has a soft spot for Santa and is upset when he’s sent to jail. After he passes on the Santa Claus mantle, he joins Mary, hinting at a romance between the two.
Bird’s IMDb says that her first role was in the 1921 short film “Grass Widowers,” but her second was in the movie “Dallas” in 1950. She appeared steadily over the decades, appearing in sitcoms such as “The Waltons,” “It Takes Two,” and “Benson.” She also played Grandma Dorothy to Molly Ringwald’s Samantha in “Sixteen Candles” and had a small role in “Home Alone.” In 1993, she played Edith Butterwell in “Dennis the Menace,” which Hughes also co-wrote.
Her final film was 1995’s “Jury Duty,” starring Pauly Shore. She died in 2002 at age 94.
