Oh, God! (1977)
-
71% of critics liked it
(24 reviews) -
59% of users liked it
(8,065 ratings)
Adapted by Larry Gelbart from the novel by Avery Corman, the film stars John Denver as Jerry Landers, the assistant manager of a grocery store who is chosen by God (George Burns) to spread the Word to the rest of the world. Not surprisingly, Jerry is soon labelled a basket case: even his loving wife… More Adapted by Larry Gelbart from the novel by Avery Corman, the film stars John Denver as Jerry Landers, the assistant manager of a grocery store who is chosen by God (George Burns) to spread the Word to the rest of the world. Not surprisingly, Jerry is soon labelled a basket case: even his loving wife Bobbie (Teri Garr) doubts her husband's sanity. But there's enough evidence on Jerry's side for a panel of prominent clerics to demand that the hapless fellow prove in court that he's the agent of God. Donald Pleasence was supposed to have an extended supporting role in the film, but the first cut ran too long, and Pleasence's dialogue was eliminated -- but not Pleasence himself, who retains his prominent billing and is seen doing precisely nothing in several scenes. Netting $30 million on its first run, Oh God was followed by two lesser sequels, both featuring Burns. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Directed By
- Carl Reiner
- Written By
- Larry Gelbart
- Genres
- Science Fiction & Fantasy, Comedy
PG,
- In Theaters
- Oct 7, 1977 Wide
- Studio
- Warner Home Video
Critic Reviews
-
, Time Out
The result plays like an over-extended version of the Reiner/Mel Brooks 2000-Year-Old Man sketches.
-
Janet Maslin, New York Times
An uneasy amalgam or inconsistent attitudes, without enough humor or zaniness to divert attention from its questionable premise.
-
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
Carl Reiner's Oh, God! is a treasure of a movie: A sly, civilized, quietly funny speculation on what might happen if God endeavored to present himself in the flesh yet once again to forgetful Man.
-
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
George Burns seems to be warming up for a good Second City sketch on God's return to earth as a rumpled vaudevillian, but it soon becomes clear that director Carl Reiner isn't kidding -- he really thinks this movie is going to save the world.
-
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Reiner does one of his best directing jobs and never resorts to some of the silliness he's demonstrated in other films. Denver is very affable and could have had a good movie career given the right material.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
Featured Audience Ratings
Also available on
Other Retailers
Not Available
Subscription Services
Not Available
Not Available
Cast
-
George Burns
as God
-
John Denver
as Jerry Landers
-
Teri Garr
as Bobbie Landers
-
Donald Pleasence
as Dr. Harmon
-
Ralph Bellamy
as Sam Raven
-
William Daniels
as George Summers
-
Barnard Hughes
as Judge Baker
-
Paul Sorvino
as Rev. Willie Williams
-
Barry Sullivan
as Priest
-
Jeff Corey
as Rabbi
-
George Furth
as Briggs
-
Titos Vandis
as Bishop
-
Carl Reiner
as Talk Show Guest
- John Ashton
-
Moosie Drier
as Adam Landers
-
Murphy Dunne
as Stenographer
-
Jerry Dunphy
as Newscaster
-
Dennis Kort
as Norman
-
Jane Lambert
as Mrs. Levin
-
Mario Machado
as TV Reporter
-
Bob McClurg
as Mechanic
-
Kres Mersky
as Check-out Girl
-
Héctor Morales
as Waiter
-
Connie Sawyer
as Mrs. Green
-
Dinah Shore
as Herself
-
Wonderful Smith
as Court Clerk
-
David Ogden Stiers
as Mr. McCarthy
-
Zane Buzby
as Girl
-
Byron Paul
as TV Engineer
- Donald Pleasance
