Also see Jim Varney: A Legacy of Laughter
Shot back-to-back in South Africa with Ernest In the Army, this entry finds Mr. Worrell longing for the tender warmth of female companionship. But his bonehead efforts to woo a spectacled diner waitress spiral into international intrigue when Ernest inadvertently fashions pilfered African jewels into a yo-yo for his crush Rene (Linda Kash). This is also the only flick of the franchise with a BODY COUNT thanks to Jamie Bartlett as a mustache-twirling goon named Thompson whose idea of a good time is locking someone in a limo chock full of poison-fanged vipers. Nearly as nasty is Prince Kazim (Robert Whitehead) who, when he isn’t being "entertained" by undulating harem girls, likes to bury underachieving henchmen up to their chins and let his pet rhino play kickball with their skulls. Really, it’s hilarious, honest! Anyway, Thompson mistakes our lovebirds for sticky-fingered spies and hauls them off to The Dark Continent where hijinks ensue as Ernest must rescue his damsel from the lascivious clutches of Kazim and escape into the cannibal-infested wilds of Africa in a GOLF CART!!! As always, our hero’s skills as a master of disguise prove valuable and zany, particularly as rapier tongued "Hey You, the Hindu."
Divided between Ernest Goes to Africa and Ernest in the Army are two-part stabs at Ernest Greatest Hits Vol. 1 (30 mins) featuring about 100 classic commercials certain to elate fans and Your World as I See It (30 mins) with Varney’s over-educated Astor Clement introducing colorful members of the Worrell clan who wax philosophic about as much as their shallow gene pool will allow.
Notables: Four corpses. Two YouKnowWhutIMean?s. Five pratfalls. Knuckle cracking. Gratuitous crocodile snot. Watermelon seed spitting. Brassiere used as slingshot. Chloroforming.
Quotables: Ernest the lover, "Guys like me, we have to travel the lonely road. A rebel! A lone wolf! Leaving a trail of broken hearts behind me … It’s time for the rogue of the open road to set off again on his quest for high adventure. Another place, babe, another time!"
Time codes: Doesn’t take an ophiologist to know this ain’t no cobra (15:30). Ol’ goldfish-in-the-disposal gag (18:58). Ernest goes to Africa! (27:40). Auntie Nelda to the rescue — it’s also her final appearance (38:42). Marvel as everyone pretends it isn’t raining during the nail biting "Battle of Truth" finale (1:19:00).