Murder by Phone
Murder by Phone | |
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![]() Theatrical release poster | |
Directed by | Michael Anderson |
Screenplay by | Michael Butler Dennis Shryack John Kent Harrison |
Story by |
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Starring | Richard Chamberlain John Houseman |
Cinematography | Reginald H. Morris |
Music by | John Barry |
Distributed by | New World Pictures[1] |
Release date |
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Running time | 95 minutes |
Countries | United States Canada |
Language | English |
Murder by Phone is (also known as Bells and The Calling)[2] is a 1982 American-Canadian science fiction slasher film directed by Michael Anderson. Its plot follows a series of murders committed by a disgruntled phone company employee who designs a device that kills victims when they answer their telephones.
Cast[]
- Richard Chamberlain as Nat Bridger
- John Houseman as Stanley Markowitz
- Sara Botsford as Ridley Taylor
- Robin Gammell as Noah Clayton
- Gary Reineke as Lt. Meara
- Barry Morse as Fred Waites
- Alan Scarfe as John Websole
- James B. Douglas as Jack Gilsdorf
- Ken Pogue as Fil Thorner
- Neil Munro as Winters
- Tom Butler as Detective Tamblyn
- Colin Fox as Dr. Leon Alderman
- Jefferson Mappin as Alex
- Luba Goy as Beth Freemantle
- Lenore Zann as Connie Lawson
- George R. Robertson as George Lord
- Angus MacInnes as Colin Bartell
- Neil Affleck as Phone Tracer
Novel[]
The movie was preceded by a novel called Phone Call written by the screenwriters Michael Butler and Dennis Shryack under the pseudonym Jon Messman. It was published in 1979, three years before the film version. It is never credited in the film's credits. The link was mentioned on the cover in later editions of the book.[3]
Production[]
Murder by Phone was filmed in 1980 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.[4]
The score by John Barry is electronic, played entirely with synthesisers. This was a rarity for Barry. Whilst he composed and conducted the score, it was performed by Jonathan Elias and John Petersen. Elias later went on to work with Barry on the scores for Jagged Edge and A View to a Kill.
Release[]
Murder by Phone was released in the United States on October 8, 1982.[a]
Critical response[]
Leonard Maltin noted the film's cast and direction as being legitimately "talented," but deemed the film a "hoary horror exercise."[6]
Home media[]
Murder by Phone was released on VHS by Warner Home Video in 1984.[7] The VHS was reissued in 1998.[8]
Notes[]
References[]
- ^ Muir 2011, pp. 116–117.
- ^ Hunter, Rob (June 26, 2017). "That Ringing In Your Ears? It's 'Murder By Phone' Calling". Film School Rejects. Retrieved September 6, 2018.
- ^ "Phone Call". Grady Hendrix. Retrieved 2021-06-01.
- ^ Fischer 2011, p. 50.
- ^ "Midnite Movie Express". The Tampa Tribune. Tampa, Florida. October 8, 1982. p. 23 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Maltin 2009, p. 946.
- ^ Murder by Phone (VHS). Warner Home Video. 1984 [1982]. 24005.
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Works cited[]
- Fischer, Dennis (2011). Science Fiction Film Directors, 1895–1998. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland. ISBN 978-0-786-48505-5.
- Maltin, Leonard (2009). Leonard Maltin's Movie and Video Guide. New American Library. ISBN 978-0-451-22468-2.
- Muir, John Kenneth (2011). Horror Films of the 1980s. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland. ISBN 978-0-7864-5501-0.
External links[]
- 1982 films
- English-language films
- 1982 horror films
- American films
- American slasher films
- Canadian slasher films
- 1980s slasher films
- 1980s science fiction horror films
- Films directed by Michael Anderson
- Films scored by John Barry (composer)
- Films shot in Toronto
- New World Pictures films
- Canadian films
- Canadian horror thriller films
- American mystery thriller films
- Canadian mystery films
- American science fiction horror films
- Canadian science fiction horror films
- American horror thriller films
- Mystery horror films
- Techno-horror films
- Science fiction horror film stubs