Oh, God! (1977)

71% of critics liked it
(24 reviews)
59% of users liked it
(7,922 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

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Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 38 min.
Directed By: Carl Reiner
Written By: Larry Gelbart
Genres: Science Fiction & Fantasy, Comedy

In Theaters: Oct 7, 1977 Wide
On DVD: Jul 9, 2002
Studio: Warner Home Video

Critic Reviews

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.
, Time Out
The result plays like an over-extended version of the Reiner/Mel Brooks 2000-Year-Old Man sketches.
Steve Crum, Video-Reviewmaster.com
Burns is the Lord, Denver is a store clerk. Yet it all works, thank God.
Clint Morris, Moviehole
Comedy gold....Burns at his best!
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
This wonderful comedy salutes human responsibility for making the world a better place and takes justifiable pot-shots at holier-than-thou hotshots.
Rob Vaux, Flipside Movie Emporium
Somewhere deep down, I think we all hope that God turns out to be like George Burns.

Read all 9 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

AJ V

A very funny and meaningful film, after laughing you start to think. I really liked this movie, and I highly recommend it, the story is great, and the actors are too.
Lafe F

A classic movie with George Burns as God, and John Denver (bless his soul) as the chosen messenger for God's message. It's an enjoyable little movie. It sort of reminds me as "Miracle on 34th Street".
xGary X

A vacuous little feelgood fantasy that sees god visiting Earth in the form of likeable veteran comic George Burns. It's a little inconsequential for adults, but kids will enjoy it.

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
            
See full cast