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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
    • 173User 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
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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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 reviews173

    Review
    Top review
    6/10
    Skip the Middle
    Watch the first 20 minutes, grab a snack, walk your dog, take a shower, have a drink, and get back in time for the last 20 minutes. You won't miss much except Colleen Dewhurst as a barfly telling people to leave her alone. Actually, maybe you should stay and watch the middle part of this movie. It's growing on me. Carol Kane also gets to play someone fairly down to earth and not kooky for a change and she's really terrific.
    helpful•9
    2
    • michellegriffin-04989
    • Jul 18, 2020

    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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