Who Am I This Time?

Episode aired Feb 2, 1982
TV-PGTV-PG
53m

IMDb RATING

7.6/10

819

YOUR RATING

Comedy Drama Romance

From a short story by Kurt Vonnegut. Christopher Walken is a shy hardware store employee. But whenever he takes a part in a local amateur theater production, he becomes the part completely--... Read allFrom a short story by Kurt Vonnegut. Christopher Walken is a shy hardware store employee. But whenever he takes a part in a local amateur theater production, he becomes the part completely--while on stage. Susan Sarandon is new in town, a lonely itinerant telephone company employ... Read allFrom a short story by Kurt Vonnegut. Christopher Walken is a shy hardware store employee. But whenever he takes a part in a local amateur theater production, he becomes the part completely--while on stage. Susan Sarandon is new in town, a lonely itinerant telephone company employee. On a whim, she auditions for and gets the part of Stella to Walken's Stanley when the ... Read all

IMDb RATING

7.6/10

819

YOUR RATING

Director
- Jonathan Demme
Writers
- Kurt Vonnegut Jr.(story)
- Neal Miller
Stars

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Photos

Susan Sarandon and Christopher Walken in Who Am I This Time? (1982)

Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
In Vonnegut's short story, the character George Johnson is the first-person narrator. He meets Helene while trying to sort out a phone bill and asks her to try out for the local play.

Goofs
All entries contain spoilers

Quotes
[In the phone company office, George can't help noticing that Helene is a nice-looking lady. He lowers his voice]
George Johnson: Uh, excuse me, um, have you, have you ever... acted?
[She stares at him with what might be hostility but is more likely bafflement]
George Johnson: Um, what do you do? With the machine?
Helene Shaw: I teach the local girls how to operate them.
George Johnson: Ahh. How long are you gonna be in North Crawford?
Helene Shaw: [still officious] I stay in each place eight weeks, sir, then I take a new machine to a new town.
George Johnson: You see, the reason I'm asking is, uh, well, I've got this idea. You see, we're having auditions for our Dramatic Club. We're doing a new play, and, uh... Why don't you come over? There's a part in there that'd be perfect for you!
[Helene looks down, and then looks up, but does not quite meet his eyes for a few seconds, as she is having a revelation]
Helene Shaw: I've been going from town to town for two years. That's the very first time anyone has ever approached me about participating in any community thing.

Connections
Referenced in The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson: Bob Hope/Susan Sarandon/Ricky Schroder (1981)

User reviews12

Review

Featured review

Great rendition of Kurt Vonnegut's short story

This is one of my favorites, I only wish it would come out on DVD. Kurt Vonnegut's early work of fiction aims right at the heart, and he's a crack shot! Chris Walken and Sue Sarandon are marvelous in this light, yet poignant play within a play. Don't we all wish we could unlock the secrets in the heart of the person we love? Vonnegut has written a love story and the cast has made it soar. Production values are almost non existent but it was a PBS show, and the story and characters shine through beautifully. Loved it, and recommend it to everyone I know. In fact, I have shown it to just about everyone I know and it's a favorite with everyone who sees it!

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