Oh, God! Book II (1980) User Reviews

Although Not a Classic, Still A Good Movie.

[jbartelone · 6/10 · 3 April 2007]

I have always been surprised about the negative reviews concerning this movie. While I can accept that it's not a classic film by any means, Oh God! Book II still has some funny one-liners and a chemistry between the characters that works. George Burns and Louanne did a fine job together. They are really what the movie is about.

The story involves Tracey Richard's (Louanne) who's father is involved in advertising. She is approached by God (Burns) who asks her to assist, along with her friends and classmates, to help spread the message that "God should be in people's thoughts more often." While the scenario is predictable, her friends accept the idea, the adults in the movie all think she is crazy after telling them about her visits with "The Almighty." This leads to such things as Tracy getting expelled from school and an insanity hearing where God shows up to help save the day, and prove to the adults that who Tracy communicated with was not imaginary.

I think the critics that bash this film as some sort of religious propaganda take the movie too seriously. This is more of a relax and enjoy the simple chemistry between the immensely talented George Burns and the more intelligent than the adults realize in the movie, Louanne. I believe they had a great time making this film together! One could argue that Tracy's parents, (David Birney and Suzanne Pleshette) exist in superficial roles. However, the focus is strong enough for Burns and Louanne to carry the movie by themselves, and in the opinion of this reviewer, it seems to work. For whatever reason, I am drawn back to watch this film when I see it is on, so it can't be ALL BAD.

There are also some edited scenes that I saw once on the broadcast TV versions that aren't available on premium cable and AFAIK the same applies to this footage missing on VHS/DVD releases as well. I do not recall seeing the original theatrical release back in 1980 when it first came out. But here are the edited scenes: 1.) When Tracy is looking for "God" he gives her an ice cream cone in a park. There is another scene where Tracy sees an ice-cream vendor in the park who looks like "God." She runs to him and yells out, "God!" The vendor turns around and says, "Hi Sweetie, what flavor?" Tracy apologizes to the man and dejectedly walks away. We know that this scene was originally included in the movie because it is mentioned by the psychiatrist Dr. Newall when he is talking to her parents AND by Tracy herself at her insanity hearing. But this scene apparently no longer exists. (At lest not in premium cable and presumably DVD/VHS copies of the film.) 2.) There is another deleted scene with Tracy and "God" talking about meeting together to work on the campaign slogan. She says, "Let's do what my Dad does, have a business lunch." This is also indirectly referenced when Tracy's father tells her that if he were going to "sell the high qualities of a person, he would take that person to lunch." The McDonald's scene with Tracy and God remains in all prints to my knowledge, but the conversation with God and she about "having a business lunch." also no longer seems to exist.

My guess is that these were scenes added for broadcast TV viewing and it would be interesting to see them again. If you have a commercial TV version of this movie, watch for them! It's funny how I can't recall hardly a thing about the first Oh God! movie with John Denver. But, I can't forget this sequel! Listen to Burns' comments about how life can't be created with just one side to it. It is VERY MOVING! The ending is also surprisingly touching.

Not Really A Sequel

[parkerr86302 · 5/10 · 1 January 2017]

Oh God! Book II is not really a sequel to the first film, as you might think. While George Burns returns as God, the events of the first film are not referenced at all. This is more of a remake of the first film....only three years later.....the plot is nearly identical, right down to the climax, but with a little girl taking over John Denver's old role.

While not a turkey, this film is disappointing, compared to the first one which was excellent. There are no new ideas that weren't used the first time, and for a "light-hearted" film, it is difficult to watch the persecution the child endures for standing up for God. Some of the supporting roles are interestingly cast, but these talented actors are given precious little to do.

I can understand George Burns wanting to return to the role of God, since the first one was so successful for him, but he should have held out for a better script.

Not as funny as Book I but definitely deeper.

[Deusvolt · 6/10 · 29 September 2004]

Definitely not as funny as Book I but at least it dares to delve into the deeper problems of theodicy. The question which the little girl asks "God" (George Burns) in a key scene: "why bad things happen" should be in a FAQ portion of a theology syllabus. His answer, while ultimately unsatisfying, deserves attention. He said that in creating things, he never got the knack of not creating the opposite. You know: light vs. dark, joy - sadness, etc. It is an ancient question that has exercised the greatest Doctors of the Church, among them St. Augustine who argued that evil per se does not exist. Called the privatio boni argument, Augustine's contention is that what we perceive as evil is simply the lack of a particular aspect of good. For example, sickness is an evil because of the lack of health of the body. Naturalistic philosophies such as Taoism argue in the same vein - that evil is the result of not being in harmony with nature, with the Yin and Yang, seemingly contending forces or aspects of reality but which could not exist without the other. One would wish that "God" could explain further but alas! it is just silly old George Burns and his ridiculous cigar.

God comes down with sequel-itis...

[moonspinner55 · 4/10 · 29 October 2006]

George Burns returns as the joshing Almighty after enjoying a big success with 1977's "Oh, God!", an upbeat fantasy made successful by a sudden need in the 1970s to switch from devil-driven thrillers to comedic redemption (although it made money, the original was more in line with the "Topper" comedies of the '30s than a return to feel-good religious cinema). Here, God appears to a young girl (Louanne, who had earlier starred in a stage production of "Annie") and asks her to spread his Divine Word, causing her nothing but trouble from grown-ups in the process. Peculiar, family-oriented film appears to be warm-hearted enough, and Burns gets to chime in with a nice barrage of wry jibes, but the writing is half-slapstick and half-seriousness. The adults of the piece actually consider locking little Louanne up, all of which makes God seem more like a troublemaker than an elderly friend. Louanne is another problem: a perky kid with wizened little eyes, she is untrained for screen-acting and occasionally seems awkward. The medium-budget production has a gloppy, TV-movie appearance, with few graceful touches. The final scene mimics the climax of the first "Oh, God!" in that it brings a wistful sentiment to the mix, which is welcomed. It's the most subtle moment in the movie. ** from ****

too similar to the first movie

[disdressed12 · 5/10 · 22 April 2010]

i didn't like this movie as much as the first one.i found it too slow.plus,the story was almost a carbon copy of the first one.different characters,and slightly different details,but the general story was the same.so the predictability of it made it tedious.on the plus side,there were some funny moments though.and i've seen many worse movies.i just had higher expectations given that the first movie was as good as it was.if they had just done something different with the concept instead of just copying the first movie,the result would probably have been better.but hey, that's just my opinion.for me,Oh, God! Book II is a 5/10

Needless Sequel, Doesn't Measure Up.

[AaronCapenBanner · 3/10 · 21 August 2013]

Disappointing sequel has George Burns returning as the big G, but not John Denver(much missed here). Instead, it has young actress Louanne playing a little girl who is supposed to spread the word about God, but meets much resistance from disbelieving adults.

Pity this film is so predictable and unconvincing, despite Burn's best efforts, the script is weak, providing few laughs, and little insight. This story was covered far more effectively in the original, and this plays less like "Book II/Part II" than it does a failed pilot to a proposed TV series.

There was a third film, which I haven't seen("Oh God! You Devil") Don't plan on seeing it either.First film was definitive, and near perfect; the studio should have left well enough alone...

An OK film

[epatters-3 · 6/10 · 28 May 2008]

Hey, it is the kid critic and now I am reviewing Oh God! Book II. This movie is OK, but, while watching it I kept on forgetting that it is a Oh God! Picture. This one is actually more of a kids movie then Book I. in my opinion. I think that in a way the film could have been called Tracy and God. It is not as fresh as Oh God! but it is OK. It is funny but not as funny as Book I. But it does not deserve all of the bad reviews. I think that the people who went to go see this in 1980 were expecting the 39th anniversary of Citizen Kane or the 8th anniversary of The Godfather or the 6th anniversary of The Godfather Part II. In the trailer, God said that Oh God! Book II has just as many laughs as the first one. It does have some laughs but not as much as the first one. Well check this out. Do not expect The Godfather Part 2(which I have never seen) right before you watch this. Well, good luck. My overall rating is 6 out of 10 angels.

Weak follow up to a wonderful original

[MrJerry · 3/10 · 13 January 2002]

Oh,God! Book II is more of a bad remake of the original than a sequel to it.It is not all that funny,its plot plays too much

like a rejected situation comedy pilot,and the use of the slogan "Think God" is a different variation on the idea that worked so much better in the original.John Denver had not returned for this movie and that made a BIG difference.George Burns,as

wonderful as he was playing God,does not have the same chemistry with the little girl that he did with John Denver.

I would give this movie a rating of 3 out of 10,but only for

George Burns;the rest of the cast is nothing special.

If you loved the first one,don't bother to see this one.

God uses a little girl to spread his message.

[TOMASBBloodhound · 7/10 · 6 March 2011]

This is a cutesy little family film with its heart in the right place. Nothing more. If God thinks things on Earth were screwed up in 1980, what would he possibly think now? Are these rising gas prices his way of getting our attention these days? This film is a sequel to film in which God (George Burns) apparently used John Denver to help spread his message. I guess it either didn't work, or so many people were afraid of Denver's singing that they didn't want to tune in and find out. In this film, God picks a young girl named Tracy to come up with a slogan that could get people to think about him once again. Being as her father is in advertising, she would seem to be a good fit. But then why wouldn't God just pick him to do it? Well, you see it's because kids are cuter when they are out spreading a slogan like "Think God". In no time Tracy and her friends have plastered or written the message in chalk all over their L.A. neighborhood. Needless to say, the school board types are not amused. And if any kid tried this today.... sheesh! Who would show up to protest first? Probably the ACLU, followed by Michael Moore. Anyway, Tracy's troubles are just getting started.

God sure doesn't make this easy on her! Not only is it tough to think of a good slogan, but he also talks to her where others can see. Of course they cannot also see God, so they all think Tracy is talking to herself and losing her mind. Also, her school work suffers. God does at least help her with her math, and he admits he made mathematics too hard. I agree. Tracy is eventually expelled from school, picked apart by doctors, and has her life turned inside out. But she is doing God a favor, so I guess its worth it. There is also a small subplot about Tracy's separated parents reconciling after a few jokes about the big breasts of her father's new girlfriend. The acting is good enough. Burns plays essentially himself which is charming as expected. Louanne, who plays Tracy isn't as annoying as most child actors. The parents are good enough. The film delivers about what you'd expect. Its passable family viewing, but atheists should steer clear. 7 of 10 stars.

The Hound.

Funny for kids and adults

[Darth_Voorhees · 8 July 2000]

The movie is about a kid who meets God in a restaurant.He tells her to think of something to make more people want to believe in God and all that junk.Well the kid and her friend think of something and come up with the slogan Think God.The write it all over the place.As soon is this goes out everyone thinks she is crazy.So they suspend her from school.And all she wanted to do was help God.So they plan to but her in a camp for "insane" kids.She needs help from God.She runs away from home.And God comes and brings her back home on a motorcycle. So at the meeting.To decide what to do with her.God shows everybody to have a little faith.That was a good movie like I said for kids and adults.

A 2020 Review of Oh, God! Book II.

[cjolwebdesign-20-839486 · 5/10 · 26 January 2020]

The long and short of it: This is a soft reboot of 1977's 'Oh, God!' movie, an almost beat for beat remake of a better movie. I suggest you skip this movie and go straight to "Oh, God! You Devil!", despite it being a lower rated movie, at least it has a new spin on an old IP.

A movie with a message for the heart and soul

[runforlife77 · 10/10 · 7 June 2008]

Most movies that use the "God" word in them have either been epics like "Moses" or movies where God is not taken serious. In Oh God, Book II George Burns plays the kind of God who comes down to our level to figure out a way to get the human race to take notice of their creator. George Burns character is perfect in the movie as he enlists the assistance of Louanne, a doting, charming young girl who accepts God's appearance on the scene with surprise at first, then with curiosity and finally enthusiasm as he asks her for her assistance in getting more folks to stand up and take notice of "God". The plot is simple as one would expect, but the simplistic faith of Louanne, despite her growing predicaments adds more than cute charm to this fun movie, it stirs the heart and soul of anyone who watches with the same innocent faith of the lead child character of Louanne. The moral is simple, the characters mesh well and the end result is a reminder of what we are all here for.

Stranger Danger start, good middle, unrealistic psychiatry

[SnoopyStyle · 6/10 · 4 March 2015]

God (George Burns) is back! He asks little Tracy Richards (Louanne) to meet him using Chinese fortune cookies. Her parents Paula (Suzanne Pleshette) and Don (David Birney) are divorced. Only she can hear or see him. She suggests that he should get a slogan. He gives her the job. She and her friend Shingo come up with 'Think God'. They get the other kids to join. Her parents get concerned about her talking to God. School Principal Benson is not happy and suspends her. Her parents bring her to a child psychiatrist and he tells them to institutionalize her. Shingo leads a school demonstration to bring back Tracy.

I have a couple of problems with this movie. Whenever an old man lures a young girl away, I always have a Stranger-Danger moment. The fortune cookies bit leaves me a bit cold. Once I get over that, the cute little girl is very compelling. I like most of the movie but then it takes a jab at child psychiatry that is both undeserved and unreasonable. It makes disbelieve to be some kind of evil. The movie itself makes the analogy to childhood imaginary friends. I doubt psychiatrists were locking kids up for imaginary friends even back then. If they could make the case that she was harming herself or other people, that would make a whole lot more sense. This is simply picking a fight with nobody real. There are some good moments in the middle. George Burns is still sharp.

Mild and extraneous

[lor_ · 27 December 2022]

My review written in September 1980 after watching the film in NY at WB's screening room: "Oh God! Book II" is not a sequel to the hit 1977 Warner Brothers release (which amassed $31,000,000 in domestic rentals) but rather an alternate approach to the same basic premise: what would happen if God were to appear to an ordinary person with instructions to "spread my message". Absence this time of John Denver, his chemistry with lead George Burns and the original's solid comedy material lead to a bland, unstimulating film.

Script, collectively credited to five writers, has a pleasant moppet (Louanne) meeting God (George Burns) in the lounge of a Chinese restaurant. It seems that Burns (heard pre-credits voicing over his problems with mankind on Earth) to enlist a child "with belief in things you can't see" to remind people that God is still around. Since Louanne's dad (David Birney) is an adman, she sets out to concoct a slogan which will "make God a household name". Burns' quaint program is to first win over the children and then get on with various environmental projects (e.g., fight pollution and cool off volcanoes).

Louanne recruits her cute Japanese playmate Shingo (John Louie) and other classmates to spread her "Think God" slogan via posters and graffiti. This leads to her suspension from school, and when she is seen talking to the invisible (to everyone but her) Burns, the child is brought before psychiatrists to be committed to an institution. Climax has Burns materializing as a literal deus ex machina to protect Louanne at the roundtable of shrinks.

Burns is fine again, a master of the throwaway line and well-suited to tone down the religious philosophy in the script. More screen time, however, is allotted to debuting Louanne, a pleasant and talented youngster who holds one's sympathy.

Suzanne Pleshette and David Birney as her estranged parents who reconcile before the final freeze-shot are effective in limited roles, with Pleshette's beauty and strong presence underutilized. Supporting parts are all well-limned.

Director Cates is hamstrung by the talky, largely unfunny script, which contains little dramatic content and only one scene involving physical action (Burns giving Louanne a motorcycle and sidecar ride). Except for recurring gags about "boobs" the mild script is too squeaky clean for the film's good. By not expanding upon the first film, "Oh God! Book II" is extraneous. Tech credits are routine.

I did not want to write this review.

[paradux · 7/10 · 28 June 2017]

If you are looking for "miracles," look no further than the fact that Hollywood managed to turn a superb, one-of-a-kind, hit film OH GOD into a 3-picture franchise before it sagged to the ground under its own weight and melted.

OH GOD (the original) is one of my favorite all time films.

It is a treasure. Not so this sequel.

OH GOD was poetry in motion. Not only a perfect script but possibly the best performances ever from George Burns, Teri Garr and John Denver. Never a dull moment, never a bad scene, never a line of bad dialog. It is a film you could see over and over.

OH GOD BOOK 2, which embarrasses itself right off the top by showing more writing credits than there are key positions on a football team, never once gets into gear. All that saves the film from infamy is an astonishing performance by a young actress credited only as "Louanne." Not only does this young lady have perfect timing, but she serially steals scenes from every other actor in the film including the master of timing himself, George Burns.

The kindest thing I could ever say about OH GOD BOOK 2 is, see the original.

The right slogan and a child shall lead them

[bkoganbing · 6/10 · 20 February 2017]

Of the creative people who brought us Oh God only George Burns returns for the sequel. Larry Gelbart's adopted script which got an Oscar nominations was a very profound statement on the human condition. This one is a nice PG rated kids film with the Deity himself now using a little girl played by Louanne to spread His word with the good advertising training her father David Birney has given her.

Starting with her schoolmates she gets them to graffiti the world with 'Think God' and the simple idea spreads. The best ideas are often the most simple ones.

Burns puts Louanne in some heavy company with people like Socrates, Gandhi, Lincoln and Martin Luther King. Her sanity is questioned and like John Denver in the original who went before a select group of theologians Louanne's very future at stake.

This is a pleasant remake of a real classic. Burns is as droll as ever. Suzanne Pleshette is fine as Louanne's mother. But it's just a pale imitation of the first.

Pure Gold, think God

[CarolineOP · 10/10 · 7 April 2020]

Few films inspire a faith and childhood as this one. Even now in Spring 2020 there are many a beautiful line and touching moment even if you *ignore* the religion parts - if you love Burns you MUST see this one!

Great message, pretty good movie

[pmtelefon · 7/10 · 18 September 2022]

The Oh, God trilogy is very underrated. It's so underrated that it's totally forgotten. What a shame. "Oh God! Book Two" is the weakest of the three but it's a fun watch. George Burns was a big time movie star when he was an old man. He holds the screen like very few before or since. All of his stuff is great in "Oh God! Book II" the rest of the movie isn't as good. Burns on the motorcycle is the weakest part of this movie. Other than that scene, I enjoyed this movie more tonight than I have in the past. "Oh God! Book II" is climbing the charts. (Now I have to ramble on because of IMDB's ridiculous 600 character minimum.)

a wonderful family film that makes you think

[dtucker86 · 22 October 2003]

All throughout history since time immemorial, there has been a conflict between religion and science (or I guess I should say between church and state). People who read the Bible believe in God and accept him and his teachings as a matter of simple Christian Faith. However, the scientists say "We need proof that we can put under our microscopes". I think it took a lot of courage for Hollywood to make the "Oh God" series and I thank them for it. George Burns and John Denver were wonderful in the original. It was one of the first movies that I saw as a kid and I couldn't think of a better one. George took the role of God very seriously, he even consulted with Jimmy Stewart and Orson Welles before he played it can you believe that? He asked them how you would play God (Orson Welles told him "I would play him sitting down"). This is a wonderful sequel. You might ask why God would come down to earth again, well when he did before he made the studio so much money thats why? A young actress with only one screen name Louanne takes John Denver's place in the film and she does a wonderful job. She was such a good little actress that I always wondered what happened to her. I'll bet she and George had a ball making this film, it shows in the finished product and there is wonderful "chemistry" between them. It kind of chilled me when they thought the little girl was crazy for talking to God and wanted to put her in an insane asylum. It chilled me and it also made me very angry at a society that is hostile towards religion and God's word. It is almost as if we live in a world that glorifies evil and condemns good. This is a film that is very rare indeed because it is one with a message that makes you think long after the final credits and it is due to George Burn's wonderful performance. This man was an American treasure. What really amazes me is that he didn't act in the traditional sense until he was almost 80 years old and made The Sunshine Boys. As far as I am concerned, all acting students should watch his work in that film and in the Oh God series. They will see a master at work. This is a rare sequel indeed, it is as fine as the original. It will leave you with a sore belly from laughing, but also with a slight lump in your throat.

Cute sequel, but not as good as the original movie

[Wuchakk · 6/10 · 9 December 2020]

God (George Burns) manifests to a little girl in Los Angeles (Louanne) whose well-to-do parents are separated (Suzanne Pleshette & David Birney). It appears the LORD wants to use her for advertising.

"Oh, God! Book II" (1980) lacks the novelty of the original 1977 film and is underwhelming, marred by a sitcomy vibe, but it's also cute and kinda heartwarming. It's more of a drama with amusing touches than a comedy. In other words, what would REALLY happen if the Creator started appearing to a girl in Los Angeles?

'God' does have a few nuggets to share but, to be expected, there's some political correctness not in keeping with biblical Christianity. The filmmakers naturally wouldn't want to offend their potential viewers. Meanwhile Suzanne is winsome as usual and Birney is convincing as the likable father.

The movie runs 1 hour, 33 minutes and was shot in Los Angeles.

GRADE: B-/C+

Charming and beautiful

[talemunja · 9/10 · 20 February 2013]

Burns was amazing, hes appearance is lovable, he is good man, you can see that energy in every movie where he plays.

Why i adore first and this one movie? No violence! At all! I respect that very much!!!

Because we are all sick of holly-wood imbecility with "people killing people-you enjoy" movie types +amorality of all kind, bestiality in almost every movie nowadays.

Oh,God! and Oh,God!Book 2 is salve on wound, song for soul, message of love and innocence.

We need more movies like this. Definitely.

Who says that you're too young to spread the message?

[GOWBTW · 10/10 · 28 January 2016]

The first Oh, God! movie used a supermarket manager, now this time, God (George Burns) talks to Tracy(Louanne Sirota) a girl whose parents are going through a divorce. She makes cracks about her father's new love. So what does she do? She goes to God, and she creates "Think God". She gets her friends to help her spread the message out. But her parents, think she's out of touch with reality. Even the psychiatrists think the same way. When they committed her to a ward, the children rebel against all the adults in the town. The school was closed by the children, and the principal has his back up against the wall. What does God do? Get her out. The best scene is where he rides the motorcycle with side car. And the police see Tracy in the side car. It's a very good movie to watch. Sending a very powerful message. It was cute at the beginning of the "Tonight Show", where Tracy saw God instead of Johnny Carson. There's no such thing as being too young. God will make a way for you. 5 stars!

hilarious.

[jake_82_pta · 31 July 2001]

***SPOILERS*** ***SPOILERS*** Just laugh out loud funny. Yeah, right. Although I, myself, am not a christian, I know enough about Christianity to know this film is a mockery of that religion. It's basically about a girl who is told by God to "advertise" him... so that everyone will be Christian... The whole point of christianity is free will and you can choose to be christian if you want to. If God wanted everyone to be Christian, he would make them be Christian. Anyways, the Prinicipal of the girl's school, who is the antagonist, suspends her. I say she should be suspended. She was putting up signs everywhere with the message "Think God." all over the school, and everyone magically became christian, and whenever someone tried to stop the girl because they were of a different faith, they were portrayed as evil crazies. The girl's parents take her to a psychiatrist when she tells them she "sees" God in restraunts and in her bedroom. Apparently the writer knew about as much about Christianity as they did therapy. The psychiatrist puts the girl through catscans, x-rays, blood tests, lie detector tests, and any other thing you can think of... this is ludicrous. Why would they give her physical tests?! They would just talk to her or something! Anyways, they decide to send her to a nut house because she has an imaginary friend. She runs away and God takes her home on a motorcycle. Then he shows up at her insanity hearing or whatever and preforms a few miracles, and everyone say "Oh, wow, well, you can go! No questions asked!" And her seperated parents get backed together and God disappears. It was hilarious in all the wrong places.

Uplifting, quirky, wholesome-ish, drama

[markdstump · 8/10 · 27 January 2023]

I'm not convinced this is meant to be a comedy.

And either way I think a movie might be best judged by what it delivers, not what one expected.

I know George Burns is a Comedian, I used to watch Burns and Allen!

But this is more like a wholesome drama, with a touch of quirky, meant to uplift more than draw out laughter!

If you want a feel good movie without sex, violence, 20 minute car chases, and you can occasionally do without Kung Fu fighting, time travel, space aliens, vampires, teenagers...this could be the movie for you.

And if that's what you want some afternoon, or evening, I think you'll enjoy it.

Oh God Book 2:

[norman-bloom · 3 March 2015]

I just watched this movie here on late night TV. I saw the first OH GOD movie and thought I did like it better. But the second one was quite good with a different cast. There is a message here in these Oh GOd movies.I know it is hard to tell anyone you have spoken to GOD as Tracy did in this movie. George Burns is well played in his roll as GOD and why not, he,s perfect for the part of GOD. He is a legend that goes back way before these actors. The message is to have faith and believe. There has't been a movie like this. Now a days there is too much violence shown with no dialogue like this movie. I did like it and felt sad that GOD left. But their is hope.