When a Stranger Calls

USA, 1979, 35mm, 1.85, colour, 97′
16.4. | 18:00 | Slovenian Cinematheque

directed by Fred Walton written by Steve Feke, Fred Walton cinematography Donald Peterman music Dana Kaproff editing Sam Vitale cast Carol Kane, Charles Durning, Colleen Dewhurst, Tony Beckley

EVERY BABYSITTER’S NIGHTMARE BECOMES REAL…

THE FIRST FIFTEEN MINUTES OF THIS FILM WILL HAVE YOU ON THE EDGE OF YOUR SEAT…DON’T WATCH IT ALONE!

Jill (Carol Kane), a regular college student, earns her pocket money by babysitting the neighbours’ kids. One evening as she is watching over the children of Dr. Mandrakis, the phone rings. And unsuspecting Jill finds herself in the midst of every babysitter’s worst nightmare, and the urban myth that says: the call is coming from inside the house…

Walton’s psychological horror flips the conventions of classical slashers, films about serial monsters Myers, Voorhees and Krueger, on their head, and with its procedural nature and character study of an alienated psychopathic personality becomes more reminiscent of Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer or even Taxi Driver. Yet the opening sequence of this para-slasher remains one of the scariest intros in horror film history. Among the numerous imitations that followed, the most obvious nod to Walton is Wes Craven’s Scream.

“The phone freak forces Casey [in Wes Craven’s Scream] to play life-or-death horror movie trivia, quizzing her about Elm Street (‘the first one was scary, but the rest sucked’) and Halloween. Knowing the fine line between reference and theft, he doesn’t mention When a Stranger Calls (1979), the likely inspiration for this extended sequence.”
– Kim Newman, Nightmare Movies

“When a Stranger Calls is an effective ‘bogeyman’ piece because it preys upon our innermost fears. The violation of home security plays a role in the scare tactics. If you can’t feel safe in your own home, where can you feel safe?”
– Dann Gire, The Daily Herald

“Unequivocally the most terrifying film I have ever seen.”
– After Dark Magazine