The Telephone (1988)

A crazy out of work actress, Vashti Blue, spends all her time in her small apartment with her pet owl and her telephone, which she uses to try and solve all her problems with life.

Director:

Rip Torn

Writers:

Harry Nilsson (screenplay), Terry Southern (screenplay)

Stars:

Whoopi Goldberg, Severn Darden, Elliott Gould

1 nomination.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Whoopi Goldberg	...	Vashti Blue
Severn Darden	...	Max
Elliott Gould	...	Rodney
John Heard	...	Telephone Man
Ronald J. Stallings	...	Saxophone Player
John Hattan	...	Sidewalk Vendor
Lina Chu	...	Sidewalk Vendor
James Victor	...	Big Ray on Answering Machine (voice)
Robin Menken	...	Voice on the Freeway (voice)
Danae Torn	...	Midge on Answering Machine (voice)
Hervé Villechaize	...	Voice on the Freeway (voice)
Don Blakely	...	Larry on Answering Machine / Voice on the Freeway (voice)
Amy Wright	...	Honey Boxe / Irate Neighbor / Jennifer on Answering Machine

Storyline

A crazy out of work actress, Vashti Blue, spends all her time in her small apartment with her pet owl and her telephone, which she uses to try and solve all her problems with life.

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Plot Keywords:

small apartment | actress | telephone | apartment | owl | 

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Taglines:

She's on the line...and off the wall.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 January 1988 (USA)

Also Known As:

Telefon Terror

Company Credits

Production Co:

Esparza / Katz Productions, Hawkeye Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Whoopi Goldberg took director Rip Torn and the film's producers to court to prevent the film's release due to its poor quality. She lost.

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Connections

Features Christmas in July (1940)

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Soundtracks

"Sweet Georgia Brown"
Written by Ben Bernie, Maceo Pinkard and Kenneth Casey
© 1925 Warner Bros, Inc (Renewed) (A.S.C.A.P.)

User Reviews

Can cinema feel like a theater?

I saw this movie by accident once and i was stunned...One woman holds an entire movie creating you -the viewers- the feeling of communication...Whoopi relies on her talent to make you laugh...(Watch the scene while she is a chinese chef)..sometimes a bit more than she should.Nevertheless,it's ending gives you a "sixth sense" feeling.(Meaning an element turns upside down all that you think till now). A true original that gives a real challenge to any actor.