October 7, 1977
Oh, God! is a 1977 American comedy film starring George Burns and John Denver. Based on the 1971 novel by Avery Corman, the film was directed by Carl Reiner from a screenplay by Larry Gelbart. The story centers on supermarket manager Jerry Landers (Denver), who is chosen by God (Burns) to spread His message despite skepticism of the media, religious authorities, and his own wife (Teri Garr).
The movie's success spawned its titular film series, which included two sequels: Oh, God! Book II (1980) and Oh, God! You Devil (1984). Both featured Burns reprising his role, but no other characters from the original story.
Storyline
God appears as a kindly old man to Jerry Landers, an assistant supermarket manager. He tells Jerry that he has been selected to be his messenger to the modern world, much like a contemporary Moses. He tells Jerry to tell people that God exists, and that things on Earth can work out well, but that it's up to people to make it happen. Landers tells his wife, children and a religion editor of the Los Angeles Times of his encounters with God and becomes a national icon of comedic fodder.
Jerry appears on television with Dinah Shore and describes the look God takes when He encounters him. The next day, after Jerry is stranded from a car breakdown, God appears as a taxi driver to take him home, where they are met by a bunch of chanting "religious nuts". Before He disappears, God consoles Jerry that he has the "strength that comes from knowing".
Landers finds his life turned upside down as a group of theologians attempt to discredit him. They challenge him to answer a series of questions in Aramaic while locked in a hotel room alone, to prove God is contacting him directly. After an agonizing wait, God delivers food to Jerry and answers the questions.
After being sued for slander by a charismatic preacher whom God directed Jerry to call a "phony", Jerry decides to prove his story in a court of law. He argues that if God's existence is a reasonable possibility, he can materialize and sit in the witness chair if he chooses. At first, God fails to appear and the judge threatens to charge Jerry with contempt. Jerry argues that when everyone waited a moment to see what would happen when he raised the mere possibility of God appearing, it proved he at least deserved the benefit of the doubt.
Suddenly God appears and asks to be sworn in. He provides some miracles, first in the form of card tricks for the judge. Then He leaves the stand, walks a few steps, and, with everyone watching, disappears. God's voice does not appear on the court tape recording, nor on the court stenographer's tape. The judge has no choice but to dismiss the case.
Some time later, Jerry meets God again. God states that he is going on a trip to spend some time with animals. Jerry expresses worry that they failed, but God compares him to Johnny Appleseed, saying he was given the best seeds and they will take root. God prepares to leave and says he will not be coming back. Jerry then asks what to do if he needs to talk with him. God says, "I'll tell you what, you talk. I'll listen.” Jerry smiles as God departs.
Also See
Movie Trailer
- Oh, God! (1977) (Trailers)