Oh, God! (1977)

Director:

Carl Reiner

Writers:

Avery Corman (novel)
Larry Gelbart (writer)

Release Date:

7 October 1977 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Fantasy

Tagline:

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

Plot:

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.

Plot Keywords:

Dinah Shore | Intercom | Divine Faith | Chosen One | Judge

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 4 wins & 2 nominations

Cast

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

Runtime:

98 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Australia:PG | Canada:PG | Finland:S | Iceland:L | UK:PG | USA:PG | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Burbank, California, USA

Company:

Warner Bros. Pictures

Trivia:

When Jerry is in the hotel room about to give God a quiz, "The Dick Van Dyke Show" (1961), (created by Carl Reiner) is on TV.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: Jerry's body suit visible when he steps out of shower to talk to God.

Quotes:

[last lines]
Jerry Landers: Maybe, sometimes... couldn't we just talk?
God: I'll tell you what. You talk... I'll listen.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Alice: Oh, George Burns! (#2.10)" (1978)

Still Stands Up

I was a little apprehensive renting the DVD of this movie after all of these years since its original release, but most of it holds up remarkably well.

On the DVD commentary tract, the makers of the film, looking back on it after 25 years, seem to be equally as surprised. The director, Carl Reiner, points to an eight-minute scene in which it is just Denver and Burns talking in a bathroom. There is no music, no fast cuts, no special effects, and the scene simply holds our attention on its own. Mr. Reiner indicates that there is no way that the scene would be made that way today.

Some scenes are timeless, such as Jerry's first encounter with the Almighty via intercom in the all-white room. Also classic is the infamous scene in the bathroom in which God first reveals himself in the flesh to a humbled and still somewhat disbelieving John Denver.

Unfortunately, not all of the movie holds up as well. Some things, especially exteriors, seem very dated. And even though it is quaint, it is hard to believe that an intelligent and capable husband and wife team would cherish a Supermarket Assistant Manager Job so much. Ah well, it was another time when people still believed in sticking with one company and working their way up through the ranks.

I wish that the film would explore some of the harder questions of religion a little more seriously, but one wonders if the film would collapse if taken out of its sweet, feel-good movie formula in which it is helplessly trapped forever.

If anything, rent it for the performances of the two leads. George Burns, playing the role at 83, is so good, that it is, (not to be cliched,) awesome. However, what is equally as unbelievable is the performance of John Denver in his first and only acting gig. He hits some of his notes perfectly, and it really shows a significant skill and timing to play straight man to a legend like Burns.