Oh, God! You Devil (1984) Warner Bros./Comedy RT: 97 minutes Rated PG (language, mild sexual content, drugs, devilish mischief) Director: Paul Bogart Screenplay: Andrew Bergman Music: David Shire Cinematography: King Baggot Release date: November 9, 1984 (US) Cast: George Burns, Ted Wass, Ron Silver, Roxanne Hart, Eugene Roche, Janet Brandt, Robert Desiderio, John Doolittle, Julie Lloyd, Belita Moreno, Jason Wingreen, Susan Peretz, Robert Picardo, Arthur Malet, James Cromwell. Box Office: $21.5M (US)
Rating: ***
Rather than just repeat the formula of the previous two films, the makers of Oh, God! You Devil change things up by casting George Burns as both God and the Devil. The Evil One takes center stage in this third entry in the Oh, God series in which a struggling musician (Wass, Curse of the Pink Panther) makes a Faustian-like deal with talent agent Harry O. Tophet, his soul in exchange for fame and success. It also borrows heavily from The Devil and Daniel Webster with the musician trying to get out of the deal once he realizes how big a mistake he’s made.
Directed by Paul Bogart (Skin Game, Class of ’44), Oh, God! You Devil is a funny and charming comedy that leans towards the diabolical without sacrificing any of the warmth or good humor of its predecessors. Instead of God choosing somebody to spread His message, somebody seeks Him out. It makes for a very winning movie.
As a child, Bobby Shelton (Wass) recovered from a severe case of scarlet fever after his father asked God to watch over him. It makes him a prime target for the Devil, especially after he says out loud that he’d sell his soul to the Devil in exchange for a successful music career. Tophet answers his call and makes Bobby an offer he should refuse, a seven-year contract that will guarantee him the fame and fortune he desires. There’s just one catch, he has to exchange identities with rock star Billy Wayne (Desiderio, Knots Landing) whose own contract is about to expire. That means giving up his old life including his happy marriage to loving wife Wendy (Hart, Highlander). Even worse, he remembers his former life. Upon learning that Wendy is pregnant with his child, Bobby wants out of the contract, but Tophet refuses to let him out of it. Instead of hiring a good lawyer, Bobby asks God for help.
The climactic showdown between God and the Devil, the scene we’ve all been waiting for, takes place over a game of poker at a Las Vegas casino. Since Burns plays both roles, a bit of trick photography comes into play, allowing us to see both characters onscreen at the same time. Not only is the camerawork seamless, it’s fun to see an old pro like Burns play scenes with himself as two distinctive characters. It actually makes perfect sense having Burns play both roles; if God can take any form, so can Satan. Since that’s the case, why not take the form of the Creator? What better way to deceive people?
It goes without saying that Burns is great in both roles. Equally good is Wass as the deceived soul seeking salvation. He makes the fantastical situation seem plausible in much the same way as Warren Beatty in Heaven Can Wait (1978). Ron Silver (Reversal of Fortune) has a very funny supporting role as a hotshot record company executive.
For the most part, Oh, God! You Devil is quite good. It has a stronger storyline than the previous two films. The screenplay by Andrew Bergman (Blazing Saddles, The In-Laws) is intelligently written. It contains several honest-to-God laughs and a degree of warmth rarely seen in movies involving the Devil. We actually come to care about the characters. Besides, how can you dismiss a movie that opens and closes with a father singing “Fugue for Tinhorns” (from Guys and Dolls) to his sick child? Despite the presence of Satan, Oh, God! You Devil is as innocuous and benign as the other two movies. It has a devilish sense of humor, but is never once mean-spirited. It’s a great deal of fun.
