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:
Writers:
Stars:
Awards:
- 1 win & 2 nominations.
- See more »
Photos and Videos
Complete, Cast awaiting verification
| Whoopi Goldberg | ... |
Vashti Blue
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| Severn Darden | ... |
Max
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| Amy Wright | ... |
Honey Boxe & Irate Neighbor / Jennifer on the Answering Machine
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| Elliott Gould | ... |
Rodney
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| John Heard | ... |
Telephone Man
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Ronald J. Stallings | ... |
Saxophone Player
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John Hattan | ... |
Sidewalk Vendor
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Lina Chu | ... |
Sidewalk Vendor
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| Don Blakely | ... |
Voice on the Freeway / Larry on the Answering Machine (voice)
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| James Victor | ... |
Voice on the Freeway / Big Ray on the Answering Machine (voice)
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Robin Menken | ... |
Voice on the Freeway (voice)
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Danae Torn | ... |
Crying Woman / Midge on the Answering Machine (voice)
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| Hervé Villechaize | ... |
Voice on the Freeway (voice)
(as Herve VIllechaize)
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Directed by
| Rip Torn | ||
Written by
| Harry Nilsson | ... | (screenplay) & |
| Terry Southern | ... | (screenplay) |
Produced by
| Steve Besser | ... | co-executive producer |
| Moctesuma Esparza | ... | producer |
| Joel Glickman | ... | associate producer |
| Robert Katz | ... | producer |
Music by
| Christopher Young | ||
Cinematography by
| David Claessen | ||
Editing by
| Sandra Adair | ||
Editorial Department
| Hope Moskowitz | ... | first assistant editor |
| Lynn Stevenson | ... | assistant editor |
Production Design by
| Jim Pohl | ||
Art Direction by
| Jim Pohl | ||
Makeup Department
| Catherine Childers | ... | hair stylist |
| Elle Elliott | ... | makeup/hairdresser |
| Michael Germain | ... | makeup: Whoopi Goldberg |
| Julia L. Walker | ... | hair stylist: Whoopi Goldberg (as Julia Walker) |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| Lope Yap Jr. | ... | first assistant director |
Art Department
| Todd McCune Bray | ... | painter |
| Richard W. Clot | ... | construction coordinator |
| Paul Dal Porto | ... | property master |
| Allen Gross | ... | carpenter |
| Elizabeth Hamilton | ... | lead set painter |
| Sandra Howell | ... | painter |
| Elizabeth Jennings | ... | painter |
| Jack Kostelnik | ... | construction foreman |
| John LaNoue | ... | carpenter |
| Ray Mondoux | ... | senior layout artist |
| David Ochoa | ... | set dresser |
| Chuck Ray | ... | carpenter |
| J. Michael Speakman | ... | carpenter |
| I.J. Van Perre | ... | carpenter |
Sound Department
| Agamemnon Andrianos | ... | sound mixer |
| Patrick Moriarty | ... | boom operator |
Stunts
| Candace Crump | ... | stand-in: Whoopi Goldberg |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Gary M. Brickley | ... | key grip |
| Gregory M. Childers | ... | best boy grip |
| Michael Chin | ... | camera operator |
| Charles Eason | ... | lamp operator |
| Rick Fichter | ... | best boy electric |
| William Maley | ... | gaffer |
| Dennis Pope | ... | dolly grip |
| Bobby Powell | ... | electrician (as Robert E. Powell) |
| Michael Santy | ... | second assistant camera |
Costume and Wardrobe Department
| Roz Baker | ... | costumer |
| Susan Becker | ... | costumes: Whoopi Goldberg |
Music Department
| Jeff Vaughn | ... | score mixer |
Script and Continuity Department
| Peggy Biocini | ... | script supervisor |
Transportation Department
| John Hattan | ... | transportation captain |
| John Lelko | ... | transportation |
Additional Crew
| Elizabeth Ann Bundschu | ... | assistant production coordinator |
| Jim McCarthy | ... | post-production accountant |
| Franke Piazza | ... | assistant: Whoopi Goldberg |
| Joan Wellman | ... | production coordinator |
| Shannon Wilson | ... | production assistant |
Thanks
| John Alonzo | ... | special thanks (as John Alonzo) |
| William House | ... | special thanks |
| Geraldine Page | ... | special thanks |
| Robert B. Radnitz | ... | special thanks (as Robert Radnitz) |
| Leonard Rosenman | ... | special thanks |
| Tony Torn | ... | special thanks (as Anthony Torn) |
| Robert M. Young | ... | special thanks |
Production Companies
Distributors
- New World Pictures (1988) (United States) (theatrical)
- Highlight Video (1988) (West Germany) (VHS)
- New World Pictures Ltd. (1988) (United Kingdom) (VHS)
- New World Video (1988) (United States) (VHS)
- Arcade Video (1989) (West Germany) (VHS)
- MTC Video (1989) (Greece) (VHS)
- Aquarius TV (1993) (Greece) (tv)
- Video Collection International (1993) (United Kingdom) (VHS)
- Anchor Bay Entertainment (1995) (United States) (VHS)
- R&G Video (1995) (United States) (VHS)
- Starmaker Entertainment (1995) (United States) (VHS)
- United Video (Germany) (VHS)
- RCV Home Entertainment (2006) (Netherlands) (DVD)
- Media Transfer International (1989) (Sweden) (VHS)
Special Effects
Other Companies
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
One evening, unemployed actress Vashti Blue (Whoopi Goldberg) returns to the apartment she shares with her pet goldfish and owl. On the answering machine, Vashti listens to her messages, and hears her agent remind her of an audition, as well as a notification about her overdue telephone bill. She also hears a voice she believes is her former lover, Larry (Don Blakely). Throughout the night, Vashti entertains herself by dialing different telephone numbers, talking to the local market, video store, police station, and her friend, Jennifer (Amy Wright). The noise from the calls causes Vashti's next-door neighbor to yell at her in frustration. Later, Vashti's former agent, Rodney (Elliot Gould), and his new client, "Honey Boxe," arrive, asking to use her telephone. However, Vashti refuses Rodney's request. Rodney tells Vashti that her bad attitude always made it difficult to find her acting jobs. Annoyed, Vashti asks Rodney and Honey Boxe to leave. But the best and the most is about to come. |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Taglines | Everybody's got one. Some people just know how to use it. See more » |
| Genres | |
| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
| Certification |
Additional Details
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Box Office
| Budget | $2,200,000 (estimated) |
| Opening Weekend United States | $54,811, 24 Jan 1988 |
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 a disagreement over control over the final cut of the film. She lost. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Featured in The Beach Boys & Little Richard: Happy Endings (1987). See more » |
| Soundtracks | Sweet Georgia Brown See more » |