I remember this film freaking me out as a kid and after watching it again, I remember why . . .
All in all
When a Stranger Calls (1979) was a pretty freaky movie. I mean think about it, you've got this psycho who for some reason decided to slice up the kids where you are babysitting, sit and their blood and make harassing phone calls urging you to check on the children (which by the by, why didn't she ever check on them?). You would very likely have been sliced up too if you had not had the foresight to call the cops and find out that the calls were coming from inside the house. This is bad enough and as we all saw from the 2006 remake, you could've made a whole movie just of that. But our psycho years later, he escapes from the mental institution he was committed to and somehow finds Jill (Carol Kane) again and tries to finish what it was that he had started all those years ago.
What could probably have been a whole other film is the story line involving the original detective, John Clifford (Charles Durning) who becomes obsessed with our little psychopath Curt Duncan (Tony Beckley). Clifford is basically hired by Dr. Mandrakis (Carmen Argenziano) to kill Duncan after his escape. The whole mid section of the film deals with his chase of Duncan and Duncan's new obsession with Tracy (Colleen Dewhurst), a woman he becomes fascinated with at a local bar called Torchy's (the name of the bar means nothing really, I only mention it because I like the name . . .).
Just when you begin to wonder why Kane got top billing in the movie, Duncan runs across a newspaper article with her picture in it and his old obsession begins anew. Jill, now married with two children of her own has no idea that Duncan has escaped. She is soon to be rattled from her perfect little world as Duncan makes contact one night while she is out to dinner with her own husband. The scene in the restaurant when Duncan calls is just fantabulous (yes, it deserves a new and made up word - it was that good). I truly felt what must have gone on in Jill's mind as she again heard those distant but oh so familiar words; have you checked the children? I am getting goose bumps now just thinking about it.
In a thrilling and chilling climax, Jill must face all her childhood fears as well as the man that made them a reality. And what of John Clifford? You'll just have to watch the film to find out. But I will say this, his restraint is truly tested.
When a Stranger Calls (1979) Movie Cast and Credits
Directed by
Fred Walton
Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Steve Feke
Fred Walton
Cast (in credits order)
Charles Durning .... John Clifford
Carol Kane .... Jill Johnson
Colleen Dewhurst .... Tracy
Tony Beckley .... Curt Duncan
Ron O'Neal .... Lt. Charlie Garber
Steven Anderson .... Stephen Lockart
Rachel Roberts .... Dr. Monk
Rutanya Alda .... Mrs. Mandrakis
Carmen Argenziano .... Dr. Mandrakis
Sara Damman .... Bianca Lockart
Richard Bail .... Stevie Lockart
William Boyett .... Sgt. Sacker
Kirsten Larkin .... Nancy
Carol O'Neal .... Mrs. Garber
Ed Wright .... Retired man
Louise Wright .... Retired woman
Joseph Reale .... Bartender
Heetu .... Houseboy
Michael Champion .... Bill
Dennis McMullen .... Maintenance man
Wally Taylor .... Cheater
John Tobyansen .... Bar customer
Lenora May .... Sharon
Randy Holland .... Maitre D'
Trent Dolan .... Policeman #1
Frank DiElsi .... Policeman #2
Arell Blanton .... Policeman #3
DeForest Covan .... Officer #1
Charles Boswell .... Officer #2
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Cheryl Wilson .... Mrs. Shifrin
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