Oh, God! (1977)

User Rating:

6.3/10   

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:

God | Supermarket | Evangelist | Miracles | Newspaper

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. Carl Reiner directed the movie.

Goofs:

Continuity: When God makes it rain in Jerry's car, shots taken from Jerry's left show his hair dry, but shots taken from his right show his hair soaking wet. These shots alternate several times, always with the same inconsistency.

Quotes:

Bobbie Landers: I went to take out the garbage today and two people blessed me! And one of them blessed the garbage!

Movie Connections:

Featured in M*A*S*H, Tootsie & God: A Tribute to Larry Gelbart (1998) (TV)

Wholesome comedy

John Denver made his film debut with this wonderful wholesome comedy. He plays an ordinary supermarket worker who is honest and straightforward. He has a loving wife and 2 kids. God, out of the blue, picks him to spread the Word. Everyone is sceptical as Jerry Landers (Denver) tries to make believers out of them. George Burns was a perfect choice to play the Almighty. John Denver doesn't sing in this film, but still comes off as an honest (if somewhat naive) person. The car he drives is definitely a 70's relic (the Pacer, I miss those!). Watching the scenes with just Burns and Denver strikes me as sad because they are no longer with us. The film is not too preachy (a plus in my book) and puts just a hint of humor in it all (like the courtroom scene).