When a Stranger Calls (1979)

User Rating:

6.4/10   

Director:

Fred Walton

Writers:

Steve Feke (writer)
Fred Walton (writer)

Release Date:

26 October 1979 (USA)

Genre:

Horror | Thriller

Tagline:

...Fear is the Message!

Plot:

A psychopathic killer terrorizes a babysitter, then returns seven years later to menace her again.

Plot Keywords:

Babysitting | Telephone | Babysitter | Murder | Psychopath

Awards:

1 win

Cast

Charles Durning	...	John Clifford
Carol Kane	...	Jill Johnson
Colleen Dewhurst	...	Tracy
Tony Beckley	...	Curt Duncan
Ron O'Neal	...	Lt. Charlie Garber
Steven Anderson	...	Stephen Lockart
Rachel Roberts	...	Dr. Monk
Rutanya Alda	...	Mrs. Mandrakis
Carmen Argenziano	...	Dr. Mandrakis
Sara Damman	...	Bianca Lockart
Richard Bail	...	Stevie Lockart
William Boyett	...	Sgt. Sacker
Kirsten Larkin	...	Nancy
Carol O'Neal	...	Mrs. Garber
Ed Wright	...	Retired man

Runtime:

97 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Iceland:16 | France:-12 | Sweden:15 | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Germany:16 | Australia:M | Finland:K-16 | Norway:18 | UK:15 | USA:R | Canada:A (Ontario)

Filming Locations:

Brentwood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Columbia Pictures Corporation

Trivia:

Number 28 on Bravo Channel's 100 Scariest Movie Moments.

Goofs:

Continuity: In the final scene, Jill goes to her bedroom closet to see if Curt Duncan is in there. She is about to open the door with her left hand. In the next shot, she opens it with her right hand.

Quotes:

Jill Johnson: [after Curt calls her at the restaurant] Curt Duncan! He's back! He has my BABIES!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Mystery Science Theater 3000: Monster A-Go-Go (#5.21)" (1993)

Soundtrack:

SPACE RACE

Don't go upstairs!

Written by Steve Feke and director Fred Walton; this movie is supposed to be based on an actual urban legend, isn't it?

Carol Kane plays Jill, a babysitter who receives ominous phone calls all night long from psycho (Tony Beckley) who repeatedly asks her if she has 'checked the children'. This goes on until the cops are finally called to the scene - just 21 straight minutes of well-crafted suspense. However, the film takes an unfortunate detour for the next hour, focusing on the pursuit of the killer (who's managed to escape from a mental hospital, naturally) by John Clifford (Charles Durning), the original detective to arrive at the crime scene, who's now a private detective (this all takes place seven years later). The film follows Beckley around as he wanders aimlessly around the city and starts harassing dour, middle-aged Tracy (Colleen Dewhurst); then he picks up a paper with Jill's picture on the front and decides to pay her a visit for old time's sake.

The only real reason that this film doesn't altogether succeed is because of the difference between its opening, ending, and the portion of the film in between. The ending is almost as suspenseful as the opening, so the film concludes well, but that middle portion kind of sticks out too much. It's like a creepy, somber drama / thriller that happens to be book-ended by scenes of pure suspense. I wouldn't go so far as to call the middle portion worthless - I thought that it was watchable enough; however, other viewers may not be so forgiving.

Nice to see actress Kane, known more for her quirky roles (including Latka's bride on TV's 'Taxi'), playing it straight in this movie. As usual, Durning is solid as a rock as the private detective. And Beckley, as the psycho, is utterly convincing.

7/10