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Timeline

Oh, God! (1977) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
1977 · 98 min · English
JustWatch #7,320 1
Starring
Barnard Hughes, Paul Sorvino, Teri Garr, Donald Pleasence, Ralph Bellamy, Dinah Shore

A struggling musician, Bobby Shelton, makes a deal with Harry O. Tophet, who turns out to be Satan, promising seven years of incredible fame in exchange for his soul. As Bobby's career skyrockets, he finds himself trapped and desperate to undo the pact. He then turns to God for help, hoping for divine intervention to escape the devil's grasp and reclaim his life.

On this page (7)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (15)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like Oh, God!
  6. 6 Categories
  7. 7 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Oh, God! (1977)

Where can you watch Oh, God!? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Kanopy, Amazon Video and Apple TV Store: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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15 events in order · contains spoilers

Oh, God! Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of Oh, God! (1977) in order, scene by scene, with when and where it takes place. Use it to untangle flashbacks, time jumps and parallel storylines, to refresh your memory before the sequel or to find the exact scene you are thinking of.

  1. Jerry Receives the Letter

    Jerry Landers, an assistant manager at a grocery store, receives a mysterious letter at home summoning him to meet God. While he and his wife, Bobbie, initially dismiss it as a prank, Jerry can't shake off the feeling that he must honor the request.

    Where
    Burbank, California
  2. The Encounter in Los Angeles

    Feeling compelled, Jerry heads to the meeting place in downtown Los Angeles. There, he finds an empty office with only an intercom, where he is shocked when the voice on the other end identifies itself as God, demonstrating a miraculous event to convince Jerry of His presence.

    Where
    Downtown Los Angeles, California
  3. God's Message

    After his eerie encounter, Jerry returns home to share the experience with Bobbie. Skeptical and concerned about Jerry's mental state, she suggests a family vacation to visit her brother-in-law, a therapist, which Jerry adamantly resists.

  4. Speaking to Jerry in the Shower

    The next day, God speaks to Jerry while he is in the shower, further solidifying that this is not just his imagination. Shortly after, God appears as an elderly man, explaining the importance of spreading awareness about free will and the necessity for kindness among people.

  5. Meeting the Reporter

    Following God’s urging, Jerry visits Briggs, a reporter at the Los Angeles Times, to share his story as God’s messenger. However, Briggs is skeptical, which adds to Jerry's frustration as he feels the weight of his divine mission.

    Where
    Los Angeles Times Office
  6. God Makes It Rain

    While driving with God, who is present in the car, they have a humorous incident where it rains inside the vehicle. After being pulled over by a policeman about the peculiar scene, Jerry lies to save face, leading to God expressing disappointment in his dishonesty.

  7. Media Attention

    The local newspaper runs a story on Jerry, classifying him among various religious fanatics, which leaves Bobbie embarrassed. As media attention grows, their children express concern, indicating that they believe their father may be losing his grip on reality.

    Where
    Tarzana, California
  8. God's Second Call

    God meets with Jerry again, emphasizing that there are no guarantees in life and that his job loss might be a necessary sacrifice for a greater cause. Jerry’s family suffers as Jerry's belief creates tension within the household, alienating him socially.

  9. Appearance on Dinah Shore Show

    As Jerry appears on a popular talk show, a sketch artist draws a picture of God based on Jerry's description. Following this event, Jerry garners notable recognition, which unnerves Bobbie as the crowd of religious followers grows outside their home.

  10. Questioning by Religious Leaders

    Jerry is summoned by a committee of various religious leaders to validate his story. During this interrogation, God assists Jerry by providing answers to intricate questions, showcasing His support in a comical yet profound manner.

    Where
    Hotel
  11. Riot at the Revival Meeting

    After receiving directions from God, Jerry confronts Reverend Willie Williams during his revival meeting. This causes an uproar among the followers, which results in Jerry being forcibly removed, further escalating the tensions surrounding his claims.

    Where
    Shrine Auditorium
  12. The Slander Trial

    In court, Jerry represents himself against Reverend Williams' slander charges. In a dramatic turn, Jerry calls God to testify, leading to miraculous appearances and events that leave the courtroom in awe, although the legal system ultimately fails to acknowledge this divine proof.

    Where
    Courtroom
  13. Reconciliation with Bobbie

    After the court proceedings, despite the disbelief surrounding Jerry's claims, he and Bobbie reconcile. Bobbie, now believing Jerry's experiences, understands the gravity of their circumstances as they navigate their altered lives together.

  14. Jerry Loses His Job

    As the film progresses, Jerry faces losing his job at Food World due to the chaos surrounding his revelations. Collecting his final paycheck marks a bittersweet farewell to his old life, emphasizing the cost of his newfound faith.

    Where
    Food World
  15. Final Goodbye

    In a moment of reflection, Jerry receives one last call from God after losing everything. God reassures him that their mission was not in vain and encourages Jerry to see how the world responds to the message he has spread.

    Where
    Park

Last updated: January 18, 2025 at 14:36

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Timeline questions answered

Oh, God! Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of Oh, God! (1977): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why does God choose Jerry Landers as His messenger?

God chooses Jerry because he is an ordinary man with nothing to gain and everything to lose. This makes his message more credible to others. God tells Jerry that life is governed by luck and free will, and that Jerry's role is to promote kindness and preservation of the Earth.

  • jerry landers
  • messenger
  • chosen
  • ordinary man
  • purpose
Q2

How does God prove His identity to Jerry?

God proves His identity by demonstrating an impossible reality: Jerry is in an office on the 27th floor of a building that actually has only 17 floors. Later, God speaks through Jerry's broken car radio to communicate with him directly.

  • proof
  • identity
  • miracle
  • 27th floor
  • car radio
Q3

Why does Jerry lie to the police officer about the rain in his car?

When Jerry is pulled over for the strange rain inside his car, he lies and says he just came from a car wash. This is a moment of human weakness where Jerry chooses social comfort over honesty. God expresses disappointment and encourages Jerry to spread His word with integrity instead of dishonesty.

  • police
  • rain
  • lies
  • car wash
  • dishonesty
Q4

What happens when Jerry calls God to testify in court?

Jerry calls God to the witness stand during his slander trial. God appears and performs a card trick to demonstrate His divine power, amazing everyone in the courtroom. However, when the testimony is recorded, it mysteriously vanishes from the documentation, leading the judge to dismiss the case due to lack of evidence.

Foreshadowing: Earlier, God assisted Jerry during his interrogation by religious leaders by providing answers through room service, establishing God's willingness to help Jerry in legal matters.

  • court
  • god testifies
  • card trick
  • judge
  • dismissed
Q5

Why does Jerry lose his job at Food World?

Jerry loses his job because his public claims about encountering God create too much controversy for the grocery store. A Food World executive warns him to stop speaking about his divine encounter if he wants to keep his position, but Jerry cannot stop spreading God's message, leading to his termination.

  • food world
  • job
  • fired
  • sacrifice
  • termination
Q6

Does Jerry's wife believe him by the end of the movie?

Yes, Jerry's wife Bobbie comes to believe him. Initially skeptical and concerned about his mental health, she becomes convinced after witnessing the courtroom miracle when God appears and performs the impossible card trick. The film ends with their reconciliation.

  • bobbie
  • wife
  • believe
  • reconciliation
  • marriage
Q7

What was the outcome of the slander lawsuit against Jerry?

Reverend Williams sued Jerry for slander after Jerry confronted him at a revival meeting. Jerry represented himself in court and called God as a witness. Although God appeared and demonstrated divine power, the testimony disappeared from the official record, and the judge dismissed the case due to lack of evidence.

  • slander
  • lawsuit
  • reverend williams
  • court case
  • dismissed
Q8

Why does God appear as an elderly man?

God appears as an elderly man (played by George Burns) to make Himself appear approachable and trustworthy to Jerry. The whimsical, grandfatherly appearance fits the film's light tone and allows Jerry to feel comfortable in God's presence during their conversations in the shower and other settings.

  • george burns
  • elderly
  • appearance
  • old man
  • form
Q9

What final message does God give Jerry at the end of the movie?

After Jerry loses his job and everything seems lost, God appears to him at a park payphone and reassures him that their efforts were not in vain. God encourages Jerry to watch and see how the world responds to the message he has spread, leaving Jerry with a sense of hope and purpose despite his personal sacrifices.

  • final message
  • reassurance
  • hope
  • world response
  • encouragement

Movie threads

More Movies Like Oh, God!, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Oh, God! tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Movies with Divine Encounters like in Oh, God!

Stories where the divine enters ordinary life, sparking humor and questioning faith. If you enjoyed the whimsical premise of Oh, God!, you'll like these movies featuring direct, often humorous, interactions with the divine. This list includes similar comedy and fantasy films where gods or angels walk among us, creating gentle chaos and prompting reflections on faith in a lighthearted way.

  • whimsical
  • thoughtful
  • uplifting
  • quirky
  • conversational
  • faith
  • Tone: whimsical, thoughtful
  • Pacing: steady
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative typically follows an average person who is suddenly and unexpectedly chosen for a divine interaction. Their journey involves initial disbelief, a period of grappling with their new reality, and often a public challenge where they must prove the legitimacy of their experience, leading to personal growth and a renewed perspective on life.

Why they belong together: Movies in this thread are grouped by their central premise of a benevolent divine figure interacting with the modern world. They share a whimsical tone, light emotional weight, and a balance of gentle comedy with thoughtful, non-preachy questions about belief, purpose, and human nature.

Quirky Conversational Comedies similar to Oh, God!

Character-driven stories built on witty dialogue and gentle, insightful humor. Fans of the witty, dialogue-heavy humor in Oh, God! will appreciate these movies. This selection focuses on comedies with a similar steady pace, light emotional touch, and a reliance on clever conversations and quirky characters to drive the story forward, blending humor with heart.

  • conversational
  • quirky
  • comical
  • thoughtful
  • character-driven
  • witty
  • Tone: whimsical, comical, conversational
  • Pacing: steady
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The plot is often a simple framework that serves as a vehicle for character development and dialogue. The central conflict is typically interpersonal or ideological, resolved through conversations that reveal character depth and philosophical points. The journey is more about internal change and understanding than external action.

Why they belong together: These films are connected by their distinctive tone and pacing. They share a whimsical or neutral tone, a steady narrative pace that allows for character exploration, and a focus on conversational humor that is both entertaining and subtly insightful, creating a uniquely engaging and comfortable viewing experience.

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Movies Like Oh, God!

Similar movies to Oh, God!: the same genre, themes or kind of story. Each one comes with its own plot summary, timeline and ending explained.

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Categories

Movie Lists Featuring Oh, God!

Oh, God! appears in these hand-built movie categories. Each one groups movies by a specific mood, theme or story type, with their plot summaries and endings explained.

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Every angle

Oh, God! (1977) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Oh, God! in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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