DVD

Oh, God!
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, All Movie Guide

Oh, God! Book II
In this mild sequel to the 1977 appearance of George Burns as God, the Heavenly Father shows up again, this time to talk to Tracy (Louanne), a young girl whose earthly father (David Birney) is in the advertising business. God's intention is to promote himself among the children first. Tracy comes up with a way to further awareness of the Supreme Being with posters and graffiti that say "Think God." She and her classmates set out on this campaign, but Tracy ends up facing a phalanx of psychiatrists for talking to an invisible God. Being who He is, God decides to finally make an appearance for the benefit of everyone. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide

Oh, God! You Devil
In the third and final film in the Oh, God! franchise, Bobby Shelton (Ted Wass) is a struggling musician who can't get a break, which bothers him all the more now that his wife, Wendy (Roxanne Hart), is about to have a baby. Desperate and depressed, Bobby announces that he'd sell his soul to get ahead. Suddenly, Harry O. Tophat (George Burns), Satan's earthly representative, appears and offers Bobby a deal -- seven years of unprecentented fame and fortune in exchange for his soul. Bobby cynically accepts and discovers that the devil is true to his word, but he finds that the trappings of fame and wealth are empty pleasures, and he loses Wendy along the way. When Bobby declares that he's made a horrible mistake, God (Burns), who has been watching over Bobby, offers to help get his soul back as the devil offers Bobby's place in eternity as the prize in a poker game. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

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 George Burns as God Suzanne Pleshette as Paula David Birney as Don Louanne as Tracy John Louie as Shingo Howard Duff as Dr. Shitley Hans Conried as Dr. Barnes Conrad Janis as Mr. Benson Anthony Holland as Dr. Newell Wilfrid Hyde-White as Judge Miller Hugh Downs as Newscaster Joyce Brothers as Herself Marian Mercer as Mari Gorman as Vernon Weddle as Alma Beltran as George Burns as God/Devil Ted Wass as Bobby Shelton Ron Silver as Gary Frantz Roxanne Hart as Wendy Shelton Eugene Roche as Charlie Gray Robert Desiderio as Billy Wayne

Crew Jeane Rosone - Costume Designer Peter Bogart - First Assistant Director Paul Bogart - Director Randy Roberts - Editor Irving Fein - Executive Producer David Shire - Composer (Music Score) Mike Post - Songwriter John Bettis - Songwriter Peter W. Wooley - Production Designer King Baggot - Cinematographer Irving Fein - Producer Robert M. Sherman - Producer Gary Moreno - Set Designer Andrew Bergman - Screenwriter Jeane Rosone - Costume Designer Peter Bogart - First Assistant Director Paul Bogart - Director Randy Roberts - Editor Irving Fein - Executive Producer David Shire - Composer (Music Score) Mike Post - Songwriter John Bettis - Songwriter Peter W. Wooley - Production Designer King Baggot - Cinematographer Irving Fein - Producer Robert M. Sherman - Producer Gary Moreno - Set Designer Andrew Bergman - Screenwriter Jeane Rosone - Costume Designer Peter Bogart - First Assistant Director Paul Bogart - Director Randy Roberts - Editor Irving Fein - Executive Producer David Shire - Composer (Music Score) Mike Post - Songwriter John Bettis - Songwriter Peter W. Wooley - Production Designer King Baggot - Cinematographer Irving Fein - Producer Robert M. Sherman - Producer Gary Moreno - Set Designer Andrew Bergman - Screenwriter

Oh, God!
In Oh, God!, director Carl Reiner and screenwriter Larry Gelbart avoid one-note redundancy by trading broad laughs for warm-hearted sentimentality. The movie's surprising charm owes a lot to the understated comic timing and charisma of vaudeville legend George Burns in the title role. Burns had removed himself from the public eye after his partner/wife Gracie Allen's retirement in 1958; he reappeared in 1975's successful The Sunshine Boys, for which he won an Oscar. Oh, God! continued his comeback streak. In his first movie role, singer John Denver had a natural, unforced presence that drew positive notices, but he would never again star in a major motion picture. Gelbart had worked with Reiner on Sid Caesar's Your Show of Shows, and he would go on to write the screenplay for Tootsie. Despite its potentially controversial nature, Oh, God! was a significant hit, and would spawn two mediocre sequels. ~ Brendon Hanley, All Movie Guide
 

Oh, God! Book II
(not reviewed)
 

Oh, God! You Devil
(not reviewed)
 

Disc Title: Oh, God! - People Awards: Larry Gelbart: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie, Best Adapted Screenplay (nominated)

General Specifications: Language Options: English Subtitle Options: English, French, Spanish, Por Sound Processing: DD1: Dolby Digital Mono Additional Features: Feature-length audio commentary by Teri Garr, Director Carl Reiner, writer Larry Gelbart and producer Jerry Weintraub Trailers of all three Oh, God! movies MPAA Rating: PG DVD Discs Included: 3 DVD Sides: 3 DVD DVD Region Code: 1 Content Length: 288 min   DVD Chapters: Side #1 -- "Oh, God!" 1. Jerry's Day (Credits) [2:31] 2. Repeatedly Invited [4:58] 3. The 27th Floor [5:14] 4. God Via Intercom [3:03] 5. Jerry's Assignment [3:21] 6. Not Crazy! [4:11] 7. Bathroom Visitor [7:20] 8. His Card [2:36] 9. Aisle 10 [2:46] 10. Rain [3:35] 11. Mentalpause [5:58] 12. Media Hubbub [3:10] 13. The Boss Has Questions [2:38] 14. Save a World [2:37] 15. On TV With Dinah [5:51] 16. God's Taxi [3:06] 17. Religious Nuts [3:48] 18. Divine Quiz [7:57] 19. Sacrifice for Rev. Williams [4:39] 20. On Trial [4:15] 21. Testimony and Card Trucks [5:23] 22. Judgment [3:19] 23. "I'll Listen." [3:32] 24. End Credits [1:43] Side #2 -- "Oh, God!" Book II 1. Between Parts [4:02] 2. Dad's Tricks [1:41] 3. Meet Me in the Lounge [5:02] 4. Advertising Pitch [5:24] 5. How to Sell God [3:01] 6. Getting Loco [4:07] 7. Heeerrre's...God! [5:52] 8. Think God [6:29] 9. Mistakes and Worries [5:56] 10. The Trouble With Tracy [3:43] 11. Commotion at School [6:18] 12. I Know [2:54] 13. Put to the Test [3:56] 14. Unanswered Prayers [4:31] 15. In and Out of Hiding [4:22] 16. Union Station Reunion [3:42] 17. No Driver, No Report [3:14] 18. Going Global [4:14] 19. If She's Right [3:34] 20. Are You Sure? [6:09] 21. God Needs Everyone [2:45] 22. End Credits [2:44] Side #3 -- "Oh, God!" You Devil 1. A Father's Prayer [3:35] 2. All Musicians [3:09] 3. Whatever Harry Wants [2:26] 4. I'd Sell My Soul [3:00] 5. He's Mine [3:47] 6. Harry's Pitch [5:59] 7. Goodbye, Billy [5:29] 8. Goodbye, Charlie [2:58] 9. Devilish Deal [5:01] 10. Not Himself [3:11] 11. Instant Rock Star [5:58] 12. Not Quite Home [4:55] 13. What's He Done Lately? [4:12] 14. Nice Meeting You [4:37] 15. Screwloose Confession [3:40] 16. Looking for God [3:25] 17. Calling the Lord [6:00] 18. That's What Happens [4:06] 19. Playing for a Pot of Souls [6:14] 20. Out of Body [2:27] 21. Beautiful Friendship [4:19] 22. Heavenly Harmony [4:56] 23. End Credits [2:29]