976-EVIL (1988)

People who dial 976-EVIL receive supernatural powers and turn into satanic killers.

Director:

Robert Englund

Writers:

Rhet Topham, Brian Helgeland

Stars:

Stephen Geoffreys, Patrick O'Bryan, Jim Metzler

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Stephen Geoffreys	...	Hoax
Jim Metzler	...	Marty
María Rubell	...	Angela (as Maria Rubell)
Lezlie Deane	...	Suzie
J.J. Cohen	...	Marcus
Patrick O'Bryan	...	Spike (as Pat O'Bryan)
Sandy Dennis	...	Aunt Lucy
Darren E. Burrows	...	Jeff (as Darren Burrows)
Gunther Jenson	...	Airhead (as Gunther Jensen)
Jim Thiebaud	...	Rags
Robert Picardo	...	Mark Dark
Paul Willson	...	Mr. Michaels
Greg Collins	...	Mr. Selby
Joanna Keyes	...	Suzie's Mother
J.J. Johnston	...	Virgil

Storyline

People who dial 976-EVIL receive supernatural powers and turn into satanic killers.

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Plot Keywords:

woman on top | religious parent | smoking | female frontal nudity | sex on a motorcycle | 

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Taglines:

One Number for Hell!

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Genres:

Comedy | Horror

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Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Trivia

James Le Gros was originally considered for the role of Spike before Patrick O'Bryan was cast.

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Goofs

When the phone booth explodes in the opening scene, the wire used to throw the stuntman around is clearly visible. Albeit through a bunch of flames.

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Quotes

Hoax: I killed her... I killed her, Spike. I used my spider!... I did it for you, Spike... She was a dirty Jezebel whore, and I took care of her for you.

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Crazy Credits

Mindy Seeger is credited in opening credits but not in the final cast.

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Alternate Versions

DVD from Columbia Tri-Star is the 92-minute theatrical print.

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Connections

Referenced in Shivers (1995)

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Soundtracks

I'm a Wild One
Written by Stephen C. Marston, Jill H. Roberts, Thomas Chase, and Steve Rucker

User Reviews

Interesting concept, but poor character development and editing bring it down a notch

I watched this movie after years of really wanting to. Funny that I watch it now in an age where a number such as this is pretty outdated. I also am surprised to see that Robert Englund directed this one and I think he did okay as most of the problems I found with the film came more from the story and from the editing. The imagery is great and it has some okay acting as it is not stiff, the end has the killer getting a bit too cute with the one liners actually reminding one a bit of Freddy Krueger's lines in the Elm Street horror films.

The story has a strange phone number that seems to predict things a bit too well being used by a dude named Spike; however, Spike soon stops using the number after nearly being killed by a runaway car. His cousin, though, finds the number and listens to it and heeds it and is soon transformed into a supernatural killer with the power to take revenge on all those that wronged him.

The story is a bit rushed, we are introduced to Spike who finds the number and then quickly uses it. He has a girlfriend who seems integral to the plot, then cast away suddenly. There is a guy who is sort of a reporter that seems to be important, but at the same time he doesn't. A teacher who seems inconsequential becomes a main character at the end. Editing that made me wonder what was going on at times. Spike, who seems to be the main character, disappears just as his cousin begins his killing spree and does not reappear till the final showdown. Still, loved the imagery especially at the end as Hoax (the cousin) has some interesting powers. Hoax is played by Stephen Geoffreys, best known as Evil from Fright Night. He is pretty much the same character, just a bigger nerd this time around.

The film had some good moments and I liked it somewhat. Just needed work (a running theme in most horrors). They needed to either establish that teacher and reporter more or simply do not have them at all. They could have had Spike try to dig for further evidence or something. The ending though has some nice kills and effects, but it also has some pretty bad one liners. It is as if they were trying to make Hoax sound like Freddy Krueger at the end with the puns and such. I am glad I finally saw this one though, because now I can watch 976-EVIL II as I have that one in a collection of DVDs. I caught this one on Encore.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 March 1989 (USA)

Also Known As:

Dial the Devil

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$794,049, 26 March 1989

Gross USA:

$2,955,917

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$2,955,917

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cinetel Films, Horrorscope Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

92 min 105 min (extended VHS cut)

Sound Mix:

Ultra Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1