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When a Stranger Calls

A movie directed by Fred Walton

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Terror By Telephone

Sep 23, 2011

by rbuchanan
posted in Welcome to the Grindhouse

Rating:

Seven years after a homicidal lunatic terrorizes a babysitter (Carol Kane) via telephone in the home of her wealthy hosts, that same psychopath (Tony Beckley) finds himself fixated on a lonely lush (Colleen Dewhurst) while sought by a former detective turned P.I. (Charles Durning).

This might have been another unexceptional thriller if not for its perfectly apt cast. Fragile and elfin, Kane's nervous and ultimately hysterical delivery are as effective as the movie's measured pace. As she was already an old hand in the part of the tough, worn and unmarried, Dewhurst's more reserved performance is equally plausible. Durning's both reliable and unsurprising as the determined investigator, but the real treat here is Beckley, totally twisted (though never outrageous) as the madman. This proved to be Beckley's final role; the British stage and television veteran was terminally ill during shooting, and ended his career on a high note, imparting some humanity and not too much frenzy to an antagonist who's as pathetic as reprehensible.

Those who have viewed this won't be surprised to learn that its first twenty minutes were initially filmed as a short by horror director Walton, who expanded it into his first feature-length picture after noting the success of Carpenter's Halloween. Though its extended plot was skillfully devised, proceedings therein are a whit tedious midway through the second act. Durning's obsessive pursuit of Beckley is of interest, but continues for too long ere its absorbing chase scene. However, even this film's slowest moments are sustained by gorgeous photography, courtesy of the distinguished, recently deceased D.P. Donald Peterman. Composed in the vein of Goldsmith's tenser offerings, Dana Kaproff's eerie, string-driven score might well put and keep anyone on edge.

Quite an assemblage of talent, this is terrific at its best in spite of some minor flaws. It's most efficacious when viewed in the dark at 1 A.M. on a chilly October morning...

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woopak_the_thrill September 28, 2011

enjoyed the review, thanks!

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Annusya September 23, 2011

OUAOU! :D Heehee! ^-^ We *will* watch this at 1 A.M. on a chilly October morningsie, heeheeeeee! ^-^ This will be funsies, heehee! ^-^ Muu! ^-^

*snugglesnus*
*rubs nosies & cheekies*
*juicy yummy kissssssssssies* ^-^

♥ Annusya ♥

rbuchanan September 24, 2011

It's another movie conducive to the cozy creeps! *hugs* *cheek wubs* *megasmooches*

Annusya September 24, 2011

OUH! ^-^ Heehee! ^-^ Yes! ^-^ OHH, You are a Snugglesnus, heehee! ^-^ Muu! ^-^

*snugglyhuggies*
*rubs faceies*
*yummymegasmuuuuchies* ^-^

♥ Annusya ♥

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More When a Stranger Calls reviews

review by Madpenguin. September 27, 2011

posted in Movie Hype

When a movie can't sustain its initial success.

When teenager Jill Johnson(Carol Kane) is called over to the house of the Mandrakis family to babysit their children. She soon becomes a victim of prank calls. Eventually, the calls are revealed to be coming from inside the house, and tragedy strikes when the couples children are brutally killed. Seven years later, the killer named Curt Duncan (Tony Beckley) escapes the asylum he was held in. Ex-cop now turned private investigator John Clifford (Charles Durning), is now hellbent on capturing and … more

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About the reviewer

Robert Buchanan (rbuchanan)
Ranked #35

My personality type is INTJ. I'm a bibliophile. I like cats!

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About this movie

Wiki

When a Stranger Calls is a 1979 thriller starring Carol Kane and Charles Durning, directed by Fred Walton. The film derives its story from the classic folk legend of "the babysitter and the man upstairs". The original music score is composed by television composer Dana Kaproff.
The film ranked #28 on Bravo's "The 100 Scariest Movie Moments"^[1]. It is followed by the 1993 made-for-television sequel When a Stranger Calls Back and a theatrical remake in 2006.

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