Oh, God! Book II

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 ****

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.

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.

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.

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.