6.5/10
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121 user 66 critic

When a Stranger Calls (1979)

R | | Crime, Drama, Horror | 26 October 1979 (USA)
When a Stranger Calls Poster
A psychopathic killer terrorizes a babysitter, then returns seven years later to menace her again.

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Stars:

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The Sitter (1977)
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A babysitter is menaced by mysterious and frightening phone calls.

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Stars: Lucia Stralser
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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
... Jill Johnson
... Mrs. Mandrakis
... Dr. Mandrakis
Kirsten Larkin ... Nancy
... Sgt. Sacker (as Bill Boyett)
... John Clifford
... Lt. Charlie Garber
Heetu ... Houseboy
... Dr. Monk
... Curt Duncan
... Tracy
... Bill
Joseph Reale ... Bartender (as Joe Reale)
... Retired Man
Louise Wright ... Retired Woman
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Storyline

High school student Jill Johnson is traumatized over an evening of babysitting by a caller who repeatedly asks, "Have you checked the children lately?" After notifying the police, Jill is told that the calls are coming from inside the house... Written by Betsy Bloomley <betsybloom@juno.com>

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

cult film | doing homework | threatening telephone call | child murder | flash forward | See All (78) »

Taglines:

...Fear is the Message! See more »

Genres:

Crime | Drama | Horror | Mystery | Thriller

Certificate:

R | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

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Details

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

26 October 1979 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Das Grauen kommt um Zehn  »

Filming Locations:

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Box Office

Budget:

$1,500,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$21,411,158
See more on IMDbPro »

Company Credits

Production Co:

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Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Color:

(Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

During the first part of the movie in which Jill is at the Mandrakis' house babysitting, she can be briefly heard humming the chorus of Don McLean's song "American Pie". See more »

Goofs

When Jill has a drink at the wet bar, the grandfather clock is visible in the shot, about a foot to the right of the bar. In all other shots the clock is about four to five feet from the bar, much closer to the hallway. See more »

Quotes

Curt Duncan: [to Tracey, at the bar] My mind. Your mind. Where do they fit in? Do you see what i mean?
[Tracey glares, turns her head and moves a stool away from him]
See more »

Connections

Referenced in Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Brain That Wouldn't Die (1993) See more »

Soundtracks

Space Race
Performed by Billy Preston
Courtesy of A&M Records
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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did Curt target Jill?
See more »

User Reviews

 
Great opening and ending--lousy middle
20 March 2004 | by – See all my reviews

A girl (Carol Kane) is babysitting one night. She keeps getting phone calls from a guy saying "Have you checked the children". (They're upstairs sleeping). The phone calls continue. She gets nervous (and never checks the children). She calls the police. They trace the calls--they're coming from INSIDE the house...

This was a big hit in 1979 with teenagers--despite the R rating kids were let into this one. It does have a great opening 20 minutes and a pretty scary ending--but the middle is dull dull dull. It involves the killer (well played by Tony Beckley) stalking an older woman (Colleen Dewhurst slumming) and a police detective (Charles Durning--also slumming) after him.

Good performances save the middle half from being totally unbearable, and there is good direction from Fred Walton. But all in all this is a mediocre thriller. Still, I'm giving it a 7 for the opening, the closing and the acting.
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