Oh, God! (1977)

When God appears to an assistant grocery manager as a good natured old man, the Almighty selects him as his messenger for the modern world.

Director:

Carl Reiner

Writers:

Larry Gelbart (screenplay), Avery Corman (based on the novel by)

Stars:

John Denver, George Burns, Teri Garr

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 3 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
John Denver	...	Jerry Landers
George Burns	...	God
Teri Garr	...	Bobbie Landers
Donald Pleasence	...	Doctor Harmon
Ralph Bellamy	...	Sam Raven
William Daniels	...	George Summers
Barnard Hughes	...	Judge Baker
Paul Sorvino	...	Reverend Willie Williams
Barry Sullivan	...	Bishop Reardon
Dinah Shore	...	Herself
Jeff Corey	...	Rabbi Silverstone
George Furth	...	Briggs
David Ogden Stiers	...	Mr. McCarthy, District Produce Manager
Titos Vandis	...	Greek Bishop Markos
Moosie Drier	...	Adam Landers

Storyline

Jerry Landers, a supermarket assistant manager and a good yet non-religious person, suddenly finds a note in the mail one day that grants him an "interveiw" with God. Thinking it to be a hoax he tosses it away, but when it keeps reappearing he finally gives in. Skeptical at first, he ends up carrying His personal message - that the world can work with what God's given us.

---

Plot Keywords:

supermarket | pay phone | payphone | man with glasses | reference to jesus christ | 

---

Taglines:

"It's true. People have trouble remembering My Words. Moses had such a bad memory I had to give him tablets."

---

Genres:

Comedy | Fantasy

---

Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 October 1977 (USA)

Also Known As:

Alguém Lá em Cima Gosta de Mim

Filming Locations:

111 North Hope Street, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

When Jerry is in the hotel room about to give God a quiz, The Dick Van Dyke Show (1961), is playing on the TV. Carl Reiner - the director of this movie - created and acted in "The Dick Van Dyke Show".

---

Goofs

Towards the end of the film, when Jerry is driving away from the grocery store, he appears to be on a rural highway. When we cut to a view of Jerry driving, the background is an urban area with multiple store-fronts.

---

Quotes

God: "Did Man fall from grace in the Garden of Eden?" I'll tell you something never came out. I made Adam 17. Eve was 15, 16 tops. I figured then 16, 17 was middle age, you know. Who knew people would live so long? Trees I figured had the best chance. Now I realize that they were kids, babies. Young people can't fall from my grace. They're my best things.

---

Connections

Referenced in The Cinema Snob: Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (2014)

User Reviews

A Great Family Film

What can I say about a film that stars two of my favorite actors? Its one of my all-time favorite family films.

George Burns is wonderful as God. He is patient, kind and easy to talk to-- everything that God is, in my humble opinion. I do like the fact that he is represented as less than perfect; he shows us the human side of our creator.

John Denver is great as the grocery clerk, the naive, put-upon modern Moses who tries to convince everyone that he's not insane.

The appeal of this film is the underlying message that God cares for us, and also the way the message is delivered in such a non-denominational, non-preachy, non-judgmental manner. Its a fun movie that reminds us that God is always watching us---not to squash us like a bug when we make a mistake, but to be there for us when we need him.

The movie appeals to all ages. 10/10 stars.