OH, GOD! BOOK II
US, 1980, 89 minutes, Colour.
George Burns, Suzanne Pleshette, David Birney, Wilfrid Hyde White.
Directed by Gilbert Cates.
Oh God Book II gives George Burns the opportunity to play God again. The original film, written by Larry Gelbart and directed by Carl Reiner, was a commercial success. George Burns, with his genial deadpan presence, was a satisfying cinema incarnation of God. The film also benefited by the presence of John Denver. Denver did not appear in the sequel. However, an attractive young girl called takes on his role. In fact, the film is not so much a sequel but a re-working of the original. It is aimed at children and family and is full of idealistic intentions. It is the kind of film that gives a genial good feeling. The adult cast takes second place, although David Burney has a good role as the young girl's father. There is some moralising and some special effects to show God's wonderful powers. Direction is by Gilbert Cates who made such effective dramas as I Never Sang for My Father and To All My Friends On Shore. The message is 'Think God'.
1. The popularity of the original film? The value of a sequel? The reworking of the original material? For what audience?
2. The film as a piece of Americana? Details of family life in California, work, school? The world of children? The picture of American psychiatrists?
3. George Burns as God? His comedy style, deadpan delivery, age, genial presence and smile? His appearances, wisdom, wisecracks? A nice God? His mission for Tracey to find the slogan? His relying on children to spread the message about God? The advertising campaign? The humour in his appearing to Tracey on the Johnny Carson Show? His notes, indications of his presence, his voice, appearances., moving from back seat to front in cars, his chats? The absences of God? His moralising fable about the tiger and the cat and fear? His helping Tracey? His confronting the psychiatrists? His farewell? A genial attempt at imagining God appearing on Earth?
4. The religious theme - a broad religion, faith in God, 'Think God'? Audiences images of God? The tradition of his severity? George Burns as a benign God?
5. The focus on children and their helping God? Tracey and her home life, relationship with her mother, outings with her father, slinging off at his girlfriend? The Chinese restaurant, science fiction movies? The initial encounter with God - and the ladies being suspicious? The growing number of chats, seeing him on the television screen, in the room? The irony of others not being able to see or hear him? The mission for getting the slogan? Tracey's enthusiasm? The reliance on the boy next door? The kids and their help and opposition, God taking over and the leader of the kids agreeing with God despite himself? The writing of the slogans? The effect on adults? Tracey's mother and her concern? Her father? The teacher? The headmaster? The boy next door hiding Tracey with the Japanese family? The visits to the psychiatrists and the tests? Her response to the psychiatrists? The happy ending and the farewell to God?
6. The conventional portrait of parents: separation, the busy mother, the friendly father, his advertising work, girlfriend? The practical joke on the girlfriend? Outings? Discussions about God? Their not listening? Growing worry, the visit to the school and Tracey's suspension, the psychiatrists? Their conversion - and getting back together again?
7. The world of teachers - the criticisms of the headmaster?
8. The picture of the psychiatrists - their views, manner of talking, self-importance, the meeting - and the confrontation by God, his changing day into night etc.? Their being humbled?
9. A pleasant blend of comic simplicity, the genial good feeling? Optimistic Americana?
