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Jim Varney: 11 year anniversary of his death
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DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar Contributorbrimac5477
Registered: October 3, 2008
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Hard to believe "Ernest" Jim Varney died 11 years ago today. I was maybe 12 when i first watched Ernest Goes To Camp and was a fan ever since. I recently purchased the Essential Ernest collection, wow i didnt know he did so many commercials! anyway just wondering which of the "classic" Ernest movies was "the best". Figured i would go to my main dvd source! 
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar ContributorAddicted2DVD
Registered: March 13, 2007
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I haven't seen any of those movies in so long I really can't remember them too well. The only one I have in my collection is Ernest Scared Stupid... and that one was fun in the silly way all his movies were.
Pete
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When I was in the Boy Scouts they had a article about Jim Varney in Boy's Life magazine with an address, so you could write him. At the time I was 13 or 14 and so I wrote him and told him how I was fan and few weeks later I got an autograph picture from him. He wrote on the picture: "To Mike, From You're Old Pal Ernest, Jim Varney" For years I had it framed in my bedroom hanging on the wall by my bed. Then in February 2000 I was working my shift at the college radio station (broadcasting major) and the news of his death came across from the AP. I couldn't believe it and I read the story on the air, which was one of hardest things for me to do. Thankfully though after all these years we still have his movies and his tv show "Hey Vern, It's Ernest" DVD, so Ernest will live on forever. You know what I mean?
We're on a mission from God.


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The Truth is Silly Putty
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The "Ernest" movies were no worse (or better) artistically than Abbott & Costello or Jerry Lewis films... silly, juvenile, and funny. Critics hated them all, but they were inexpensive to make, and every one of them (released through Touchstone) made nice money. Other than critical reaction, it was hard to understand why Disney dropped Varney in 1992. After the success of Ernest Scared Stupid (the final Touchstone film) his next Ernest film was financially disappointing, but Emshell/Monarch was small and had very little success getting Ernest Rides Again into theaters. All the ones after that were direct to video and were reasonably successful. I'm an intellectual snob, but I do not understand firing any goober who consistantly makes you money.
If it wasn't for bad taste, I wouldn't have no taste at all.

Cliff
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar Contributorbrimac5477
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Quoting Mighty Mike:
Quote:
When I was in the Boy Scouts they had a article about Jim Varney in Boy's Life magazine with an address, so you could write him. At the time I was 13 or 14 and so I wrote him and told him how I was fan and few weeks later I got an autograph picture from him. He wrote on the picture: "To Mike, From You're Old Pal Ernest, Jim Varney" For years I had it framed in my bedroom hanging on the wall by my bed. Then in February 2000 I was working my shift at the college radio station (broadcasting major) and the news of his death came across from the AP. I couldn't believe it and I read the story on the air, which was one of hardest things for me to do. Thankfully though after all these years we still have his movies and his tv show "Hey Vern, It's Ernest" DVD, so Ernest will live on forever. You know what I mean?

oh wow that is awesome!! i thought he seemed like a nice guy but never met him. granted it was just a picture but still how many stars would do that? i hope you still have that picture on display. his movies were kinda bad but they made me laugh and his tv show(i just picked that series up on dvd recently) was outstanding! Also i love the Toy Story movies and it wasnt untill the end credits of the first one that i found out he did the voice of Slinky dog. A high note to go out on doing those 2 movies(wish he could have been around for #3!)
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar Contributorbrimac5477
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Quoting VibroCount:
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The "Ernest" movies were no worse (or better) artistically than Abbott & Costello or Jerry Lewis films... silly, juvenile, and funny. Critics hated them all, but they were inexpensive to make, and every one of them (released through Touchstone) made nice money. Other than critical reaction, it was hard to understand why Disney dropped Varney in 1992. After the success of Ernest Scared Stupid (the final Touchstone film) his next Ernest film was financially disappointing, but Emshell/Monarch was small and had very little success getting Ernest Rides Again into theaters. All the ones after that were direct to video and were reasonably successful. I'm an intellectual snob, but I do not understand firing any goober who consistantly makes you money.

see i knew posting here i would learn new things. i didnt know disney dropped the ernest franchise. granted they werent great acting jems, but i think they all were good family movies. how does one become a critic? these snobs who get to see movies for free blast them, yet they still make money from the hard working people who go see the movie, buy the dvd, merchandise, etc..
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Anyone who were expecting an intellectual experience form these movies were very misguided individuals indeed. But on the other hand if you wanted some just plain mindless fun you came to the right set of movies. I enjoyed my fair share of the "Ernest" franchise, and was saddened at the news of his passing. I always loved his commercial also. We do miss you Ernest P. Worrell (A.K.A. Jim Varney.). 

Rory
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DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar ContributorMike D.
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I don't have the picture here at my apartment, but my parents still have it at their house. I did manage to find the article from Boy's Life magazine though, you can read it  here: http://books.google.com/books?id=rfgDAAAAMBAJ&lpg=PA16&ots=SKUP0oSM5t&dq=%22jim%20varney%22%20boy's%20life%20magazine&pg=PA16#v=onepage&q&f=false I did try to create a link, for the site, but it didn't want to work tonight.

As for Jim Varney's characters, besides Ernest, I always liked his Jed Clampet from the "Beverly Hillbillies" movie. He didn't imitate Buddy Epsen, but instead created his own take on the character. At least in opinion.

Here is one of my favorite Ernest commercials:

We're on a mission from God.


 Last edited: by Mike D.
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantVibroCount
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Quoting brimac5477:
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... how does one become a critic? these snobs who get to see movies for free blast them, yet they still make money from the hard working people who go see the movie, buy the dvd, merchandise, etc..


I was a critic for a while (until I found that my graphic design skills paid better)... critics, for the most part, love film and can write in a way that film-goers understand. There are film reviewers who say that you might enjoy (or not) a new film because "blah blah blah." and there are serious film critics who attempt to evaluate films in light of the history of films. Both serve good functions... for example, it was from Roger Ebert (back in the early 1990s) that I learned of Disney dropping the Ernest series, and his disbelief that they would oust a filmmaker who made money for them on every picture he made.

Critics who take themselves seriously are one of two types: publicity hounds who are looking for huge audiences so they can make a lot of money and get perks from real filmmakers, or idiots. On the other hand, good critics know they get a lot of stuff wrong, and expect reasonable people to have other attitudes... they like the discussion.
If it wasn't for bad taste, I wouldn't have no taste at all.

Cliff
 Last edited: by VibroCount
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar Contributorbrimac5477
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I would have liked to seen some of his stand up. there are a few video clips of him in non-Ernest attire on youtube.
 Last edited: by brimac5477
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Quoting Mighty Mike:
Quote:
I don't have the picture here at my apartment, but my parents still have it at their house. I did manage to find the article from Boy's Life magazine though, you can read it  here:

Try this http://goo.gl/CHhT9
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And to those of you who have disabled viewing of these signature files "hello" (or not) Registered: July 27, 2004
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar Contributorbrimac5477
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Quoting VibroCount:
Quote:
Quoting brimac5477:
Quote:
... how does one become a critic? these snobs who get to see movies for free blast them, yet they still make money from the hard working people who go see the movie, buy the dvd, merchandise, etc..


I was a critic for a while (until I found that my graphic design skills paid better)... critics, for the most part, love film and can write in a way that film-goers understand. There are film reviewers who say that you might enjoy (or not) a new film because "blah blah blah." and there are serious film critics who attempt to evaluate films in light of the history of films. Both serve good functions... for example, it was from Roger Ebert (back in the early 1990s) that I learned of Disney dropping the Ernest series, and his disbelief that they would oust a filmmaker who made money for them on every picture he made.

Critics who take themselves seriously are one of two types: publicity hounds who are looking for huge audiences so they can make a lot of money and get perks from real filmmakers, or idiots. On the other hand, good critics know they get a lot of stuff wrong, and expect reasonable people to have other attitudes... they like the discussion.

i would love to be a movie critic. i usally try to find something good about every movie i watch usually because i have spent hard earned money on the dvd and have to justify it to myself(you know like Powder Blue had Jessica Biel in it so it cant be THAT bad) im shocked that Roger Ebert would say that. it seemed any horror movie i liked or wanted to see he was one who didnt like it. i guess the man is a pretty smart critic after all!!
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantVibroCount
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When I was in film school, we learned who our professors' favorite critics were, giving us the illusion that we could take a similar opinion in our papers. It never worked. One prof liked Pauline Kael, another like John Simon. Any attempt at submitting a paper similar to their writings would lower our grades quickly.

When the first Siskel & Ebert show went nationwide, I discovered that Siskel had similar tastes with me on action films (as opposed to Ebert's opinion of them, where he and I always felt differently), but Ebert had a similar taste as I in comedies (and Siskel's was nothing like mine).

As you spend years reading good critics, you discover who you agree with most often and where, and who has an opposing view most often... making both reviews ones you can understand. (ie: it's a comedy and Siskel likes it... therefore I will not)

I wrote a review of Rocky months before it was released. My prof wanted to quote a line or three from it in his PBS local show review. He did, but within a week the clown on the Today show quotes him quoting me exactly without crediting either of us. The PBS station received an apology from NBC, but neither he nor I ever received any credit at all. Ah, the power of power...
If it wasn't for bad taste, I wouldn't have no taste at all.

Cliff
DVD Profiler Desktop and Mobile RegistrantStar Contributormreeder50
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I'm torn between "Ernest Save Christmas" and "Ernest Goes To Camp", but Christmas wins out. I live in Richmond, VA, and used to see him in local commercials. I also miss him as "Slinky Dog" in Toy Story.

I agree with Mighty Mike about his roll in the "Beverly Hillbillies" movie.

I miss him, he was one of the best slapstick actors we have had. Just my 2cents.

Edit: I have all of his movies.
Marty - Registered July 10, 2004, User since 2002.
 Last edited: by mreeder50
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Jim Varney  is/ was  the Only voice change in Toy Story 3 ( and for good reason)..& point is- all the characters are back in TS 3  except for Varney of course,  and I missed hiim ..   
In the 60's, People took Acid to make the world Weird. Now the World is weird and People take Prozac to make it Normal.

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DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar Contributorbrimac5477
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Quoting mreeder50:
Quote:
I'm torn between "Ernest Save Christmas" and "Ernest Goes To Camp", but Christmas wins out. I live in Richmond, VA, and used to see him in local commercials. I also miss him as "Slinky Dog" in Toy Story.

I agree with Mighty Mike about his roll in the "Beverly Hillbillies" movie.

I miss him, he was one of the best slapstick actors we have had. Just my 2cents.

Edit: I have all of his movies.

i totally agree with your 2 cents   i havent watched "Ernest Saves Christmas" in a while, i have read reviews online and most say the best Ernest movie is between that one and goes to camp.
i really would like to check out the "Dr. Otto And The Riddle Of The Gloom Beam" movie but it is out of print and pretty expensive. i remember the Dr. Otto character from the "Hey Vern" t.v. show
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