Oh, God!

On October 28, 1977, the first published review I ever wrote (at the ripe old age of 21!) began: "What would you do if you were taking an invigorating shower, and all of a sudden, God appeared in your bathroom?" I won't quote any more from my maiden scribblings on Carl Reiner's 1977 heartwarmer Oh, God! because, frankly, I would be more embarrassed than the late John Denver (in his debut performance) as he stands naked in his bathroom, cupping his privates before the Almighty (played--in an obvious case of divinely guided casting--by the late centenarian George Burns). An assistant manager at a grocery store, Jerry Landers (Denver) is fingered by the Most Holy of Holies--who sports horn-rimmed glasses and wears blue boat sneakers--to play the role of modern day prophet, spreading the good news to an openly skeptical world (from his wife, played by Teri Garr, who inquires, "are you feeling better today?" to his boss, who reminds him, "now, don't go getting any sunshine up your skirt, but you could go far in this company"). Reluctant messenger Landers takes his one-man evangelical crusade on television (where he's interviewed by Dinah Shore), pleads his case before a dismissive theological board and, ultimately, winds up in court literally defending the faith. On DVD, Oh, God! looks something less than beatific, with dirt, scratches, and soft haloes marring an otherwise color-solid transfer; and the Dolby Digital mono soundtrack isn't particularly heavenly. What is downright inspirational, however, is the excellent commentary track with Reiner, Garr, writer Larry Gelbart, and producer Jerry Weintraub. Followed by a pair of lackluster sequels--1980's Oh God! Book II and 1984's Oh God, You Devil!--the original remains a wonderful watch 25 years later. Highly recommended. (R. Pitman)