976-EVIL (1988)

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

Director:

Robert Englund

Writers:

Brian Helgeland, Rhet Topham

Stars:

Stephen Geoffreys, Patrick O'Bryan, Sandy Dennis

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Stephen Geoffreys	...	Hoax
Patrick O'Bryan	...	Spike
Sandy Dennis	...	Aunt Lucy
Jim Metzler	...	Marty
María Rubell	...	Angela (as Maria Rubell)
Lezlie Deane	...	Suzie
J.J. Cohen	...	Marcus
Paul Willson	...	Mr. Michaels
Greg Collins	...	Mr. Selby
Darren E. Burrows	...	Jeff (as Darren Burrows)
Joanna Keyes	...	Suzie's Mother
Gunther Jenson	...	Airhead (as Gunther Jensen)
J.J. Johnston	...	Virgil
John Currie Slade	...	John Doe (as Jon Slade)
Demetre Phillips	...	Sergeant Bell

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 | cigerette | smoking | female frontal nudity | 

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Taglines:

One Number for Hell!

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Genres:

Comedy | Horror

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Certificate:

R

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

Gross USA:

$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

Did You Know?

Trivia

When Hoax casts the spell that makes spiders come out of Suzie's TV dinner, there's a box of snack cakes behind the TV dinner called "Devil Twins".

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Goofs

When Hoax gets sick dissecting the frog he removes the surgical glove from his right hand. Then in the mirror in the bathroom it's back as he pulls out his hair, then when he's attacking the thug it's gone and then when he cuts off another thugs hand it's back.

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Quotes

Hoax: [possessed Hoax produces two ripped-out hearts] Would it be possible... to enter the game with a pair of hearts?

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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

References Maniac (1980)

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Soundtracks

The Only Thing I Really Need
Written by Stephen C. Marston, Thomas Chase, and Steve Rucker

User Reviews

A cheesy good time

Receiving a strange calling card, a teen living with his cousin realize that a growing obsession with the horoscope line after it's predictions come true realize he's gained Satanic powers through the line and when a spate of violent murders occurs they ban together to stop him.

For the most part, this here wasn't all that bad. One of the main elements to this one is the fact that this is one of the cheesiest films of it's time, as most of this is taken up by the general tone of the plot. The very idea of it's central premise, being invested of Satanic powers through a horoscope hot-line is pretty goofy, and yet there are certain scenes here that play off that goofiness with gusto here as the action of that occurring is where this one really gets enjoyable. The opening stalking scene of the victim being blown up and set on fire in a phone booth, having the spiders in the oven- dinner, the bathroom stalking when he's possessed taking out the gang- members who bullied him and the second poker game held during the rampage are perfect examples of the cheesiness throughout here, as they should not be taken seriously and yet come across as perfectly serious during it's time. As well, the film's at its best at the last half hour, which is where all the fun really starts to happen since the body count picks up and we get the highlight with the trip through the frozen house is ably chilling as it contains a few nice suspense sequences and features a really nice jump at the end in addition to the big final confrontation that works rather nicely. Alongside the fine gore for the kills and the great cheese here, these are the film's positive points as there wasn't a whole lot against this one. One of the biggest detriments, which is also it's greatest asset, is the high amount of cheese on display. While it makes the film a lot of fun, the fact is that it makes it appealing only to those who enjoy that in their films. For those who want it more serious, the cheese here will make it a lot harder to get into. The central premise is a little hard to swallow, the joke- filled nature of it drags it down slightly, and the biggest drawback is the tone given to the film. There's a bluish hue surrounding most of the film that gives it a low-budget feel and really does make it a little tougher to sit through. The other big problem against it is a slow beginning. This is a necessity to build it up, but to make the first forty minutes of it so uneventful beyond setting up angles to play off later is a problem to overcome. Though not as prominent as the cheese factor, it still hurts it to a degree. Likewise, the rather confusing narrative doesn't help this by seemingly introducing characters here for no real reason and letting them survive as they do is a little surprising, which doesn't really do the film many favors either, and all told these here are the film's biggest issues.

Rated R: Graphic Violence, Graphic Language, Nudity, a brief sex scene and drug use.