When a Stranger Calls
A psychopathic killer terrorizes a babysitter, then returns seven years later to menace her again. Slam that play button on the audio player and read up on some fun facts and trivia about this 1979 home invasion/stalker film, When a Stranger Calls, starring the goddess Carol Kane and Charles Durning. We had so much fun on this first episode of Slashers & Screamers.
“When a Stranger Calls” on the Slashers & Screamers Podcast
(Press play while you read!)
“Every babysitter’s nightmare becomes real…”
Cast
Filming and Box Office
“The film marked cinematographer Donald Peterman‘s feature film debut as director of photography. Principal photography took place over 27 1/2 days in the fall of 1978 on locations in and around Los Angeles. The house which served as the location for the first act of the movie was at 321 S. Chadbourne Ave., in the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles. The Lockhart home in the final act was at 2722 Club Drive, Los Angeles, California. Both houses have since been torn down.
The downtown bar where Duncan and Tracy meet was “Torchy’s” at 2181⁄2 W. Fifth Street in Los Angeles, CA 90012. This is the same bar that served as filming locations for the redneck bar in 48 Hrs. and for the 1985 version of Brewster’s Millions.
Tony Beckley, who played Curt Duncan, died in April 1980, six months after the film’s premiere. The 1993 sequel When a Stranger Calls Back was dedicated to his memory.
The film had a gross of $482,969 from pre-release engagements. When a Stranger Calls expanded to 468 theaters and grossed $2,597,032 in its opening four days. It placed second on Variety‘s weekly box office chart for the week ended October 3, 1979 and moved up to number one in its third week of release. It went on to gross $20,149,106 during its initial theatrical run in the United States and Canada. In its 1980 theatrical re-release the film managed to gross $1,262,052. The film was a financial success, given its $1.5 million budget.” – via Wikipedia
Hammer Award
A big of a preface here – This should not be taken too seriously, of course. We’re not here to objectify or degrade anyone. Growing up, I once heard my father refer to a pretty lady on TV, specifically Sophia Loren, as “an absolute hammer”. This award is merely to give a silly recognition to he or she whom we find in this film to be the “hottest” in the cast. Don’t take it too seriously, because we don’t. With that said…..
Watch on Tubi TV
You can watch When a Stranger Calls for FREE on TubiTV (possibly time sensitive link)
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Slasher Drip
Get your Slasher Sports swag and show everyone you’re here to KILL the game! As always, choke up on the bat……..and stay alive!
