When a Stranger Calls

When a Stranger Calls (1979)

Timing: 1:37 (97 min)

6.094/10
245

6.167/10
1112

6.4/10
16000

All about film

Video 2

Photo 9

Actors and characters

Release date

1979-09-28

Country

United States

Production

Columbia Pictures, Melvin Simon Productions

Genre

Horror, Thriller

Budget

$1 500 000

Revenue

$21 411 158

Website

Director

Fred Walton

Actors

Carol Kane, Charles Durning, Colleen Dewhurst, Tony Beckley, Rutanya Alda, Carmen Argenziano, Kirsten Larkin, Ron O'Neal, Heetu, Rachel Roberts
All actors and roles (10)

Scenario

Steve Feke, Fred Walton

Producer

Steve Feke, Doug Chapin, Melvin Simon, Barry Krost

Operator

Donald Peterman

Composer

Dana Kaproff

Artist

Audition

Penny Perry

Editing

Sam Vitale
All team (19)

• Initially, Fred Walton shot a short film called “The Nanny,” which comprised the first 20 minutes of “When a Stranger Calls” (1979). However, on the wave of success of John Carpenter’s horror film “Halloween” (1978), Walton decided to develop the short film into a feature-length film, and that's what he did.
• Tony Beckley, the actor who played Kurt Duncan, was terminally ill during filming, but he was a friend of director Fred Walton, who categorically refused to cast anyone else in the role. He died after filming was completed. In 1993, Walton filmed a sequel to the film and dedicated it to Beckley’s memory.
• Initially, the American Film Association unanimously gave the film a PG rating (parental guidance suggested), but this was 5 years before the PG-13 rating (under 13 requires accompanying parent) was introduced. Richard Heffner (1925-2013), Chairman of the Film Association, suggested giving the film an R rating (under 17 requires accompanying parent or legal guardian). The film's subject matter suggested a PG rating, but Heffner stated that few parents would want their children to watch it (even though it isn't shown on screen, a criminal kills two children with his bare hands at the beginning of the film), and the film was given an R rating.