Oh, God! You Devil

Bobby Shelton (Ted Wass) is a down-on-his-luck songwriter watched over by God (George Burns) after his father prayed for him as a sick child. He reluctantly does a Beverly Hills wedding. He asks to sell his soul to make it in the business and Satan (George Burns) obliges by signing him. Instead of the standard 7 years deal, he gets a trial period. He becomes superstar Billy Wayne in an instant. His wife Wendy Shelton (Roxanne Hart) is with another man in his place as Bobby but is pregnant with his baby when he was still Bobby. He tries to break his deal with the devil and goes in search for God. He's told to go to the desert and he goes to Las Vegas.

George Burns is good as a cigar smoking Satan. The movie could probably use more Burns. Ted Wass is not that great. This is a little darker and doesn't have quite the same humor as the original. I do need Bobby to do more to break the contract than simply finding God. It would be great if he does good deeds to appeal to God. There are opportunities for drama and humor that aren't taken. I do love the irony of Bobby going to Vegas to find God. It's definitely not as good as the original but it's good to see Burns again anyways.

This was the second sequel to "Oh God" (they had planned a third, but it never was made). Once again, George Burns plays the Almighty but he also plays a dual role as the Devil himself. What an original idea! I know that people who loved George couldn't picture him playing a role of evil, but he does it very well. The plot sort of reminds me of The Devil And Daniel Webster with Ted Wass's character as a sort of modern day Jabez Stone. A rock star who is willing to sell his soul for success. There is a wonderful bit of technology when we see the two "Georges" fighting for this man's soul in the end. We can actually see George walking behind "himself" as God! Movie technology has come such a long way. Once again, George makes movie magic and makes you believe. He is just so wonderful as God that I can't think of any other actor who could have done it as well as he (do you realize that in the original Oh God! they wanted Mel Brooks to do it?!). Jason Wingreen is a well-respected character actor (he was on All In The Family and Archie Bunker's place). He has a small role in the film and I wrote to him several years ago and asked him what it was like working with George Burns. He wrote me back and said that the few days he worked with George were among the happiest of his life. He said he was wonderful and so good to the cast and crew and kept them laughing with wonderful stories about his life. We as a society need more films like this with a positive message about God. We need it now more then ever. The singer in this film wanted fame and glory and yet in the end he found happiness in a simple life with his loving wife and child. What a wonderful message! This is a great film and George Burns is what makes it that way. God bless you Mister Burns, I hope you and Gracie are having a wonderful time in Heaven. We still miss you here on earth and need you now more then ever.

A piano player in Los Angeles (Ted Wass) wants to make it big and so the devil (George Burns) offers to turn him from a Barry Manilow wannabe into a stud-ly Rick Springfield rock star. Will he stay with his wife (Roxanne Hart) and simple life as a struggling musician or give into temptation and the 'success' he craves?

"Oh, God! You Devil" (1984) was the third and final "Oh, God!" film. It's superior to the sitcomy precursor from 1980 while the first half is just as good as the original 1977 film. Shortly after the midway point, though, it starts to lose its mojo and becomes a little tedious, but things perk up when 'God' (Burns) appears for a showdown with the devil. If you ignore the paranormal elements, it's reminiscent of "The Rose" in ways (1979).

Lovely Roxanne Hart is a highlight in her brief role. Too bad it wasn't bigger. Meanwhile Wass is surprisingly convincing as the Rick Springfield-like rocker.

The film cost $5,560,001 and made $21,538,850 in the USA alone in late 1984, which means it was a modest box office hit. Roger Ebert & Gene Siskel gave it a positive review, calling it "charming" and "delightful" "with a wicked sense of humor."

The movie runs 1 hour, 37 minutes and was shot in Los Angeles, with some scenes done in Las Vegas.

GRADE: B

The tale of Faust is the basis for the last film George Burns plays the Creator/Deity of Space, Time, and the Universe. Oh God, You Devil offers him a chance to see how the other half lives as he plays God's nemesis.

Again it lacks the profundity of the original, but Burns's droll humor again carries the day. And a double dose of it from down under is always good.

An ambitious man of music Ted Wass is not happy with the way his career is going. He'd like to be Bruce Springsteen or Jon Bon Jovi instead of playing yet another wedding or bar Mitzvah. Who does he call on but George Burns the dark side.

Why the Deity is intervening for Wass is really never explained. He's a decent guy but so are a gazillion others. Maybe it was the chance to be in Las Vegas. If you are going to battle sin and corruption this is the place to do it.

A chance to see George Burns is always a reason to watch a film.

Burns is effective in dual roles, as God and the devil in this third installment of the Oh, God! series. This time God tries to save Bobby Shelton (Ted Wass), who was once a nobody and now a rock star, from the clutches of the devil. The story works for a while and doesn't take itself too seriously. For fans of Burns, you'll be satisfied.