4.5/10
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27 user 7 critic

The Telephone (1988)

R | | Comedy, Drama | 22 January 1988 (USA)
The Telephone Poster
A crazy out of work actress, Vashti Blue, spends all her time in her small apartment with her pet owl and her telephone, which she uses to try and solve all her problems with life.

Director:

Rip Torn

Writers:

Harry Nilsson (screenplay), Terry Southern (screenplay)

Stars:

Whoopi Goldberg, Severn Darden, Elliott Gould | See full cast & crew »
Reviews
1 win & 2 nominations. See more awards »

Photos

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Cast

Complete credited cast:
Whoopi Goldberg ... Vashti Blue
Severn Darden ... Max
Elliott Gould ... Rodney
John Heard ... Telephone Man
Ronald J. Stallings Ronald J. Stallings ... Saxophone Player
John Hattan John Hattan ... Sidewalk Vendor
Lina Chu Lina Chu ... Sidewalk Vendor
James Victor ... Big Ray on Answering Machine (voice)
Robin Menken Robin Menken ... Voice on the Freeway (voice)
Danae Torn Danae Torn ... Midge on Answering Machine (voice)
Hervé Villechaize ... Voice on the Freeway (voice)
Don Blakely ... Larry on Answering Machine / Voice on the Freeway (voice)
Amy Wright ... Honey Boxe / Irate Neighbor / Jennifer on Answering Machine
See full cast »
Edit

Storyline

A crazy out of work actress, Vashti Blue, spends all her time in her small apartment with her pet owl and her telephone, which she uses to try and solve all her problems with life.

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

apartment | small apartment | actress | telephone | owl | See All (47) »

Taglines:

The brilliant comedienne and the powerful actress are together at last to give you the performance of a lifetime. See more »

Genres:

Comedy | Drama

Certificate:

R | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
Edit

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 January 1988 (USA) See more »

Also Known As:

Telefon Terror See more »

Filming Locations:

San Francisco, California, USA
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Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$54,811, 24 January 1988

Gross USA:

$99,978
See more on IMDbPro »

Company Credits

Production Co:

Esparza / Katz Productions,Hawkeye Productions See more »
Show more on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color
See full technical specs »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

The film was meant to have a summer release. It was released at Christmas, following Whoopi Goldberg's lawsuit. See more »

Connections

Features Christmas in July (1940) See more »

Soundtracks

Happy Endings
Written by Terry Melcher and Bruce Johnston
© Daywin Music, Inc., administered by Careers Music Inc.
Bruce Johnston Publishing, administered by Careers Music Inc. and Daywin Music Inc.
Performed by The Beach Boys and Little Richard
Produced by Terry Melcher
(The Beach Boys appear courtesy of Brother Records, Inc.)
See more »

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User Reviews

Can cinema feel like a theater?
4 February 2001 | by Emiliano-2 – See all my reviews

I saw this movie by accident once and i was stunned...One woman holds an entire movie creating you -the viewers- the feeling of communication...Whoopi relies on her talent to make you laugh...(Watch the scene while she is a chinese chef)..sometimes a bit more than she should.Nevertheless,it's ending gives you a "sixth sense" feeling.(Meaning an element turns upside down all that you think till now). A true original that gives a real challenge to any actor.
5 of 9 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you? | Report this
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