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When a Stranger Calls

  • 19791979
  • RR
  • 1h 37m
IMDb RATING
6.4/10
12K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
When a Stranger Calls (1979)
Watch {VideoTitle}
Play trailer1:06
3 Videos
50 Photos
  • Horror
  • Mystery
  • Thriller

A psychopathic killer terrorizes a babysitter, then returns seven years later to menace her again.A psychopathic killer terrorizes a babysitter, then returns seven years later to menace her again.A psychopathic killer terrorizes a babysitter, then returns seven years later to menace her again.

IMDb RATING
6.4/10
12K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Fred Walton
  • Writers
    • Steve Feke
    • Fred Walton
  • Stars
    • Carol Kane
    • Charles Durning
    • Rutanya Alda
Top credits
  • Director
    • Fred Walton
  • Writers
    • Steve Feke
    • Fred Walton
  • Stars
    • Carol Kane
    • Charles Durning
    • Rutanya Alda
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 172User reviews
    • 80Critic reviews
    • 58Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 1 nomination

    Videos3

    Trailer
    Trailer 1:06
    Trailer
    Sneak Previews Season 3 Episode 4
    Video 28:34
    Sneak Previews Season 3 Episode 4
    Sneak Previews Season 2 Episode 9
    Video 28:09
    Sneak Previews Season 2 Episode 9

    Photos50

    When a Stranger Calls (1979)
    When a Stranger Calls (1979)
    Carol Kane in When a Stranger Calls (1979)
    When a Stranger Calls (1979)
    Carol Kane in When a Stranger Calls (1979)
    Carol Kane, Rutanya Alda, and Carmen Argenziano in When a Stranger Calls (1979)
    Rutanya Alda and Carmen Argenziano in When a Stranger Calls (1979)
    Carol Kane in When a Stranger Calls (1979)
    Carol Kane in When a Stranger Calls (1979)
    Carol Kane in When a Stranger Calls (1979)
    Carol Kane in When a Stranger Calls (1979)
    Carol Kane in When a Stranger Calls (1979)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Carol Kane
    Carol Kane
    • Jill Johnsonas Jill Johnson
    Charles Durning
    Charles Durning
    • John Cliffordas John Clifford
    Rutanya Alda
    Rutanya Alda
    • Mrs. Mandrakisas Mrs. Mandrakis
    Carmen Argenziano
    Carmen Argenziano
    • Dr. Mandrakisas Dr. Mandrakis
    Kirsten Larkin
    • Nancyas Nancy
    William Boyett
    William Boyett
    • Sgt. Sackeras Sgt. Sacker
    • (as Bill Boyett)
    Ron O'Neal
    Ron O'Neal
    • Lt. Charlie Garberas Lt. Charlie Garber
    Heetu
    • Houseboyas Houseboy
    Rachel Roberts
    Rachel Roberts
    • Dr. Monkas Dr. Monk
    Tony Beckley
    Tony Beckley
    • Curt Duncanas Curt Duncan
    Colleen Dewhurst
    Colleen Dewhurst
    • Tracyas Tracy
    Michael Champion
    Michael Champion
    • Billas Bill
    Joseph Reale
    • Bartenderas Bartender
    • (as Joe Reale)
    Ed Wright
    Ed Wright
    • Retired Manas Retired Man
    Louise Wright
    • Retired Womanas Retired Woman
    Carol Tillery Banks
    • Mrs. Garberas Mrs. Garber
    • (as Carol O'Neal)
    Dennis McMullen
    • Maintenance Manas Maintenance Man
    Wally Taylor
    • Cheateras Cheater
    • Director
      • Fred Walton
    • Writers
      • Steve Feke
      • Fred Walton
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit
    During an evening of babysitting, high-school student Jill Johnson is terrorized by a caller who keeps asking "Have you checked the children lately?" When she calls the police, they inform her that the calls are coming from inside the house. —Betsy Bloomley <betsybloom@juno.com>
    • escaped mental patient
    • threatening telephone call
    • babysitter
    • cult film
    • telephone terror
    • 81 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • A terrifying classic!
    • Genres
      • Horror
      • Mystery
      • Thriller
    • Certificate
      • R
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Throughout the opening segment, director Fred Walton gradually increased the feeling of suspense by making each subsequent phone call ring a touch louder than the previous one. They escalate from eerie to jarring and finally infuriating.
    • Goofs
      Based on the year the film took place, 1 minute would not be nearly long enough to trace Curt's call. Back when the movie was set, it would've taken 10-20 minutes for several switchboards and circuits to locate the origin of the call.
    • Quotes

      Jill Johnson: [thinking it's Curt again] Leave me alone!

      Sgt. Sacker: Jill, this is Sergeant Sacker. Listen to me. We've traced the call... it's coming from inside the house. Now a squad car's coming over there right now, just get out of that house!

    • Connections
      Featured in Sneak Previews: 10/When a Stranger Calls/Starting Over/Apocalypse Now (1979)
    • Soundtracks
      Space Race
      Performed by Billy Preston

      Written by Billy Preston (uncredited)

      Engineer Thomas Vicari (uncredited)

      Producer Billy Preston (uncredited)

      Courtesy of A&M Records

    User reviews172

    Review
    Top review
    "Have you checked the children?"
    When a Stranger Calls boasts the scariest opening in film history. Wes Craven completely ripped this intro off in Scream. It's that good. Too bad the rest of the film isn't. It goes completely downhill after the beginning. It's so scary and has such a tense start that you can hardly watch it without holding your breathe. My girlfriend couldn't watch it period. She had to turn her head and keep asking me when it was over. It's very subtle, slow, and deliberate, and very frightening. The rest of the film can't live up to the energy generated by the beginning. But still, I recommend this because the beginning alone is better than most fright flicks in their entirety.
    helpful•50
    9
    • Backlash007
    • Nov 8, 2001

    FAQ1

    • Why did Curt target Jill?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 26, 1979 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Das Grauen kommt um Zehn
    • Filming locations
      • Torchy's Bar - 218 1/2 West Fifth Street, Downtown, Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Melvin Simon Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $1,500,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $21,411,158
    • Gross worldwide
      • $21,411,158
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 37 minutes
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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