Oh, God! (1977)

Someone, I cannot remember who, once said to "watch for those who live long, for they have also lived well, and we can learn from them."George Burns lived to be 100 years old. A small man of slight stature, he left a mark on the entertainment business that few have equalled -- with successful careers in vaudeville, radio, TV and film. Not to mention a marriage (and love affair with his wife) that will stand for the ages. Even now, there are still those who will buy a pair of lovebirds at the pet shop and name them "George and Gracie." Speaking of film, he was 81 years young when Larry Gelbart's script was offered to him and there was no way he could turn down the role of a lifetime. Which was a blessing (pun intended) to movie-goers everywhere.(Historical Note: I am only aware of two actors who were ever asked to play God -- literally -- and those are Burns and Alanis Morrissette in Dogma. The latter was more of a walk-on and not a speaking part.) The movie? A gem, a jewel and nearly perfect. Everyone should own the DVD.Casting to die for. Aside from Burns -- who is pitch perfect as a God who simply wants his creations to do the right thing -- there is Terri Garr (who did not do enough film work!) and John Denver, a man who was born for the part of God's messenger.Gelbart gave a script to die for. Listen to God apologize for the Avocado and the Giraffe. Listen to God explain why he is very knowledgeable on the present (and "big" on the past) but the future is a mystery.Brilliant and timeless. Recommended.

Back in the late 1970's as "the blockbuster" was just building up steam with several disaster films, sci-fi special effects epics and the occasional historical epic, bigger wasn't always better, and in the case of "Oh, God", an adorable aging comic had one of the biggest hits of his long career. Oh, and throw in a country/western singer who only made a few movie appearances, and you have the sleeper of 1977, a comic gem that takes punches almost prophetically at evangelists who only a decade later would take public whacks in real life.John Denver is Jerry Mathers, a humble grocery store assistant manager in Tarzana, California who isn't much of a believer in spiritual matters and happens to be chosen by the big G. himself to go out and spread the word that he still exists, is watching over us, and has given us everything we need to make our world work, warning us not to destroy it. 35 years later, this film is still timely, even if certain elements of the details of the script fit 70's mentalities. (Why a remake with Betty White hasn't been done is beyond me!) At first, you only hear the raspy-voiced God until Jerry politely demands to see him, having frustrated his quirky wife Teri Garr with discussions of their first meeting. But when George Burns finally appears in flannel shirt and baseball cap, you know you're dealing with a God out to prove that vaudeville isn't dead, only captured in heavenly terms.Dealing with district manager David Ogden Steirs (of "MASH" TV fame) and C.E.O. William Daniels ("1776's" John Addams) in his professional life, Denver is warned that these visits with God are endangering his career. But God has another job for Denver, and that involves a money-hungry evangelist, brilliantly played by Paul Sorvino with such arrogant cockiness that you long to see him knocked down a peg or two and have him scream to his pulpit, "I have sinned!", like a few others would within the next decade. Cameos by such famous faces as Ralph Bellamy, Barnard Hughes and Donald Pleasance round out Larry Gelbart's brilliant screenplay, apparently adapted by director Carl Reiner on its first draft, and deservedly receiving an Oscar Nomination.The film covers some major issues still important to day. God comments on cereals and all of the chemicals that are turning kids into garbage cans. He comments on "The Exorcist" and how people could believe the devil on earth, but not him. He discusses Jesus as his son, the ultimate vessel for communication with him, and when sworn in to testify tells judge Hughes with his hands on the bible, "So help me me." God also reveals here through Reiner's simply stated screenplay that it only takes one man to create a storm of spirituality, and with this, we also see the religious freaks that utilize organized religion for their own agendas and even sexual fantasies. The performances are direct, to the point, and totally honest, and to top it off, there is a wonderful cameo by then popular afternoon TV hostess Dinah Shore, long before the Oprah's, Jerry Springers and Sally Jesse Raphael's. Having seen this film many years ago when it was first released, I felt its simple message touching my soul, and almost forty years later, it still remains pertinent. At times, the screenplay does have a child-like quality to it, but that is important, because this is a film for all ages and generations to see and pick out individually how it touches them. Believer or not, you can't help but see the possibilities, and in today's ultra-cynical world (10 times more than the mid-late 1970's) consumed with robot-creating technology, this is truly a faith restorer.

George Burns was great in this movie. The concept is pretty awesome too, it doesn't feel preachy and engages people to think about their existence. I'm not religious but if you're going to make an attempt at using this concept in entertainment this is the way to do it.I would avoid watching this if you take yourself too seriously or if you take the subject matter too seriously. This is a fun loving born of the days when film had to be a lot more tactful in the approach of any subject much less this content.If you have a chance, this film is more than worth the watch. We miss you George, enjoy one of his best works.

The mid-1970s were George Burns' heyday. After several decades out of the movie business, he starred in several films that were surprising successes. He did stand-up comedy in Las Vegas. He appeared on talk shows and told silly jokes about smoking cigars, outliving his doctors, and hanging out with women one-fourth his age. He was an octogenarian movie star, and "Oh, God!" was released around the peak of his latter-day fame.The film begins with God (in the form of George Burns) appearing in supermarket manager Jerry's (John Denver) bathroom. God tells Jerry to get The Word out, so Jerry tells his story to a reporter (George Furth). This of course attracts the attention of several wackos and many theologians (including Jeff Corey, Paul Sorvino, and Donald Pleasance), much to the dismay of Jerry's wife (Teri Garr). There's an amusing courtroom sequence, and Jerry and God say goodbye and part ways. The movie is lightly entertaining with a warm message and has lots of good scenes, but trust me, it has no real laughs. Burns is his usual self, and Denver is surprisingly good in an uncharacteristic acting role. Garr and especially Sorvino (playing an outrageous TV evangelist) stand out in the supporting cast. Two inferior sequels with Burns but without Denver were later released.A lot of the shine has worn off "Oh, God!" since 1977. Burns and Denver are no longer with us, and George Burns' 1970s fame has been gone for 30 years. Many people probably know very little about either Burns or Denver, their memories fading every day. During the mid-1970s, Burns was an unlikely celebrity, with all the trappings that accompanied it (I used to cringe when Johnny Carson would imply that Burns was actually dating women in their early 20s). The novelty of seeing singer-songwriter John Denver in a movie is long gone. So, the general cultural atmosphere surrounding George Burns and this film has changed completely in the past 34 years. "Oh, God!" is still good, but to me the movie used to be a lot better, way back in 1977.