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IMDb > The Telephone (1988)

The Telephone (1988) More at IMDbPro »

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Overview

User Rating:
3.6/10   424 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 17% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
Harry Nilsson (screenplay) &
Terry Southern (screenplay)
Contact:
View company contact information for The Telephone on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
22 January 1988 (USA) more
Genre:
Tagline:
She's on the line...and off the wall.
Plot:
A crazy out of work actress, Vashti Blue, spends all her time in her small apartment with her pet owl and her telephone... more | add synopsis
Awards:
1 nomination more
User Reviews:
Jaw-droppingly bad more (27 total)

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
more
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Additional Details

Runtime:
96 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Sound Mix:
Certification:

Fun Stuff

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. more

FAQ

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2 out of 4 people found the following review useful.
Jaw-droppingly bad, 3 June 2005
1/10
Author: moonspinner55 from redlands, ca

Whoopi Goldberg gets a great character-name here(Vashti Blue)and perhaps had an opportunity to really cut loose in a movie like she used to do on-stage in her pre-"Color Purple" days, but "The Telephone" is out-of-order(to be charitable). Goldberg plays an actress with a pet owl(!)who spends her time arguing on the horn. She's neurotic, but not funny. Director Rip Torn was apparently in way over his head(didn't he do his homework and research Goldberg's style? If so, he didn't use a smidgen of it here). There's nothing wrong with a plot less movie--just so long as it provides something of interest, like, say, some good jokes. The screenplay(by Harry Nilsson and Terry Southern, of all people)doesn't even offer any promise. Whoopi's mere presence gives the movie an edge, but it's as shapeless and static a film as I've ever seen.

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Message Boards

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Recent Posts (updated daily)User
So how does it end?? emmapeelout
Just scored this on DVD kidneyboy081402
Harry Nilsson Is A Genius. However... SolarExcuse
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Related Links

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