Page 56 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 131

56 Issue #131 December 2023 www.sportsenergynews.com

In Reel Time

Christmas in Earnest

By Nikolai Adams driver Lloyd Christmas in Dumb and
Dumber, his heart and soul is bigger
rnest: “I am one with the Yuletide, than his brain. A huge lover of the
Eknow what I mean?” holiday season, Ernest is pleased to
A very different type of Christmas give a man claiming to be the real
classic, 1988’s Ernest Saves Santa Claus (Douglas Seale) a ride.
Christmas, directed by John R. As the mythology goes, the jolly
Cherry III, is where season’s spirit old fellow, who has been manning the
meets slapstick comedy, saving Santa gig for about a century and a half, is
comes by way of snakes, and a taxi losing his magic touch. . . and must
driver can concoct a plan to salvage pass along the torch to a new, and
Christmas morning for millions of wisely chosen, person – in order to
youngsters. reignite said magic.
The third movie of the Ernest As Ernest is closing in on dropping Photo Submitted
(Jim Varney) franchise finds the man Santa off to meet an unsuspecting for the legendary position, a runaway most outlandish – Varney singing “O
driving taxi in Orlando (in fact, this local television actor for children, drifter teenage girl, Harmony (Noelle Christmas Tree” or disguising himself
was the first film to be shot at the new Joe Carruthers (Oliver Clark) – Parker), jumps into the taxi. . . tying as a demanding elderly woman,
Disney/MGM Studios). Akin to limo hoping he will be the perfect pick her into this fateful narrative. smarmy political aid, or hickish snake
And, as we know how these things farmer (one of the standout moments)
Cornwall’s Oldest Paint, go, they never turn out easy. No one to fool people and further his plan to
Blind & Shutter Store. believes Saint Nick is who he says he save his favourite holiday. Matched
Family owned Business Since 1988
is. . . finding himself in jail instead; by the above mentioned storage
Presents “Famous Sports Quotes” while jovial Joe finds his oily agent, employees, it is not outrageous to
Marty (Robert Lesser), steering him believe that the ‘fatty and skinny’
“Love is playing every game as if it’s your last.” towards a starring role in a Christmas pair could have been vaudevillian
horror hybrid feature – a major step up movie stars if transplanted sometime
Michael Jordan
the success ladder, but going against between the Laurel and Hardy and
his caring nature.
SHUTTERS
SHUTTERS With Christmas teetering on the Abbott and Costello crazes. While
Seale and Carruthers (as Santa and
edge of failure, Ernest and Harmony
hopeful replacement) both have the
must devise a plan to free Santa,
SA VE convince Joe that this is all real, and get to play the milk and cookie loving
temperament and twinkle in the eye
SAVE
Claus his sleigh – which is being held
man. Even Parker’s runaway brings
by a couple of goofy customs agent
% % storage employees (Gailard Sartain a charming, if schmaltzy touch to the
production.
and Bill Byrge – they were discovered
A movie that has become a bit
doing regional tv commercials called
more obscure the last decade or
“Me and My Brother Bobby”).
so (rarely getting much playtime
A silly, slapstick style Christmas
Since 1988 35 35 comedy with its heart in the right anymore), Ernest Saves Christmas
still boasts enough charm, comedy,
Celebrating 35 years place, this is the definition of a cult and heartwarming hijinks to please
classic (or maybe even a guilty
Quality & Service At The Right Price! pleasure) for the holiday season. A children and adults alike. So, beat the
Paints, Blinds, Shutters commercial success (though by no clock to see this Christmas cult classic

240 Pitt Street • 613-933-8924 • www.jas-mar.com means a critical one), this low brow this holiday season, it’s an elfing good
picture is at its best when it is at its time!