HorrorThriller

When a Stranger Calls

- Every babysitter's nightmare becomes real...

A student babysitter has her evening disturbed when the phone rings. So begins a series of increasingly terrifying and threatening calls that lead to a shocking revelation.

Release Date : 1979-09-28

Language :English

Adult : false

Status : Released

Production Company : Melvin Simon ProductionsColumbia Pictures

Production Country : United States of America

Alternative Titles :

Cast

Character Name : Jill Johnson

Original Name : Carol Kane

Gender : Female

Character Name : John Clifford

Original Name : Charles Durning

Gender : Male

Character Name : Tracy

Original Name : Colleen Dewhurst

Gender : Female

Character Name : Curt Duncan

Original Name : Tony Beckley

Gender : Male

Character Name : Mrs. Mandrakis

Original Name : Rutanya Alda

Gender : Female

Character Name : Dr. Mandrakis

Original Name : Carmen Argenziano

Gender : Male

Character Name : Nancy

Original Name : Kirsten Larkin

Gender : Male

Character Name : Lt. Charlie Garber

Original Name : Ron O'Neal

Gender : Male

Character Name : Houseboy

Original Name : Heetu

Gender : Male

Character Name : Dr. Monk

Original Name : Rachel Roberts

Gender : Female

Character Name : Bill

Original Name : Michael Champion

Gender : Male

Character Name : Sgt. Sacker (as Bill Boyett)

Original Name : William Boyett

Gender : Male

Character Name : Bartender

Original Name : Joseph Reale

Gender : Male

Character Name : Retired Man

Original Name : Ed Wright

Gender : Male

Character Name : Retired Woman

Original Name : Louise Wright

Gender : Male

Character Name : Mrs. Garber

Original Name : Carol Tillery Banks

Gender : Male

Character Name : Maintenance Man

Original Name : Dennis McMullen

Gender : Male

Character Name : Cheater

Original Name : Wally Taylor

Gender : Male

Character Name : Bar Customer

Original Name : John Tobyansen

Gender : Male

Character Name : Bianca Lockart

Original Name : Sarah Dammann

Gender : Male

Character Name : Stevie Lockart

Original Name : Richard Bail

Gender : Male

Character Name : Stephen Lockart

Original Name : Steven Anderson

Gender : Male

Character Name : Sharon

Original Name : Lenora May

Gender : Female

Character Name : Maitre d'

Original Name : Randy Holland

Gender : Male

Character Name : Policeman #1

Original Name : Trent Dolan

Gender : Male

Character Name : Policeman #2

Original Name : Frank DiElsi

Gender : Male

Character Name : Policeman #3

Original Name : Arell Blanton

Gender : Male

Character Name : Officer #1

Original Name : DeForest Covan

Gender : Male

Character Name : Officer #2

Original Name : Charles Boswell

Gender : Male

Character Name : Bartender (uncredited)

Original Name : Dick Warlock

Gender : Male

Character Name : Mrs. Shifrin (uncredited)

Original Name : Cheryl Wilson

Gender : Female

Reviews

Wuchak

@Wuchak

2022-06-26

**_A killer psycho escapes from the asylum and…_** “When a Stranger Calls” (1979) is low-key horror mixed with detective drama/thriller. I say “low-key” because there’s little-to-no gore, although there’s suspense, chases and flashes of violence. It’s very polished and was obviously influenced by the artistic “Halloween” (1978) except with a very human antagonist as opposed to the indestructible Michael Myers. Then there’s the big city detective element à la “Dirty Harry” (1971) and “Tightrope” (1984), but with a pot-bellied, average-guy investigator (Charles Durning). The film’s best known for its harrowing opening sequence, which was borrowed for Wes Craven’s “Scream” (1996) with Drew Barrymore taking over Carol Kane’s role. It’s a work of art with a rich, atmospheric score by Dana Kaproff. Unfortunately there’s a little too much drag time in the long mid-section, which wouldn’t work for modern viewers with ADHD. Then there’s the individual unconscious in the closet with no wounds (rolling my eyes). The movie runs 1 hour, 37 minutes, and was shot in the Los Angeles. GRADE: B-/B