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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Writers:

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Stars:

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A babysitter is menaced by mysterious and frightening phone calls.

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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:

A Terrifying Classic! 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

The film is based on the infamous babysitter-and-the-man-upstairs urban legend, which has been an element in several horror films but is most closely associated with this film. 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

[repeated line]
Curt Duncan: Have you checked the children?
See more »

Connections

Referenced in DVD-R Hell: Too Smart for Strangers (2011) See more »

Soundtracks

Huelga En General
Performed by El Teatro Campesino
Courtesy of Menyah Records
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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did Curt target Jill?
See more »

User Reviews

"Have you checked the children?"
8 November 2001 | by – See all my reviews

When a Stranger Calls boasts the scariest opening in film history. Wes Craven completely ripped this intro off in Scream. It's that good. Too bad the rest of the film isn't. It goes completely downhill after the beginning. It's so scary and has such a tense start that you can hardly watch it without holding your breathe. My girlfriend couldn't watch it period. She had to turn her head and keep asking me when it was over. It's very subtle, slow, and deliberate, and very frightening. The rest of the film can't live up to the energy generated by the beginning. But still, I recommend this because the beginning alone is better than most fright flicks in their entirety.
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