When a Stranger Calls (film series)

When a Stranger Calls is an American film series that comprises three standalone psychological thriller horror films, as well as an originating short film. The original film has gained a large cult following, with its first 20 minutes consistently regarded as one of the scariest opening scenes in movie history, inspiring many others, including the critically acclaimed hit Scream (1996) and its sequels. Inspired by Fred Walton's 1977 horror-thriller short film The Sitter, The series serves as a suspenseful retelling of the urban legend of "The babysitter and the man upstairs", about a babysitter, Jill Johnson, who is menaced by mysterious and frightening phone calls which are finally revealed to be coming from inside the house. The 1979 film is an expanded remake of Fred Walton and Steve Feke's short film The Sitter, which roughly comprised the first 20 minutes of this film, followed by an investigate segment in which a detective searches for the stranger.[1] The 1993 sequel follows Johnson, now a college counselor, as she attempts to protect a student from another such stalker. The 2006 remake solely adapts the 20 minutes that served as the opening of the first film and entirety of The Sitter, extending the premise to a feature-length film.

When a Stranger Calls
Created byFred Walton
Steve Feke
Original workThe Sitter (1977)
Films and television
Film(s)List of films

Jill Johnson is the only character to appear in every film, with John Clifford, the Mandrakis couple and the Stranger each appearing in three films.

Films

Film U.S.
release date
Director Writer(s) Producer(s)
The Sitter 1977 (1977) Fred Walton Steve Feke
Fred Walton
Steve Feke
When a Stranger Calls (1979) October 26, 1979 (1979-10-26) Doug Chapin
Steve Feke
When a Stranger Calls Back April 4, 1993 (1993-04-04) Fred Walton Tom Rowe
When a Stranger Calls (2006) February 3, 2006 (2006-02-03) Simon West Jake Wade Wall John Davis
Wyck Godfrey
Ken Lemberger

The Sitter (1977)

In early 1977, Fred Walton and his old college friend Steve Feke were throwing around story ideas for a film and Feke told him the legendary tale of "The babysitter and the man upstairs" which Walton felt had potential for a film. The production of The Sitter was made on a low budget with both Feke and Walton working steadily for the financing, including their friends' contributing $1,000 here and there. The 22-minute film, shot on 35mm in three days in May 1977 on a budget of $12,000, closely prefigures the opening twenty minutes of When a Stranger Calls, now consistently regarded as one of the scariest openings in horror movie history. Once post-production on The Sitter was completed, Walton and Feke realized that the market for short films wasn't nearly as good as they had both anticipated. Although major studios were not interested in the short film, they were able to land a one-week showing at a theatre for consideration at the 1977 Academy Awards to qualify a nomination for Best Live Action Short. The Sitter had a short theatrical run being screened before Looking for Mr. Goodbar at Mann's Village Theatre in Westwood, California. In spite of its good reception, the film did not get nominated for an Oscar.[2]

When a Stranger Calls (1979)

Executive producers Barry Krost and Douglas Chapin had gone to the theatre to see Looking for Mr. Goodbar, and both were so impressed by The Sitter that they sold Mel Simon on the idea of expanding it into a feature-length film, which eventually became When a Stranger Calls, directed and written again by Walton and Feke. The film was released in the United States on October 26, 1979, by Columbia Pictures. It was commercially successful, receiving a mixed critical reception, with many praising the opening scene and performances, but criticism for its writing and lack of scares, and having since gained cult status. The plot follows Jill Johnson, a young high school student babysitting for a very rich family, as she begins to receive strange phone calls threatening the children. When she finally realises that it's not a joke, she calls the police, only to find that the calls are coming from inside the house.[3][4]

When a Stranger Calls Back (1993)

A made-for-television sequel, When a Stranger Calls Back, was released in 1993 on Showtime with Carol Kane and Charles Durning reprising their roles and Walton returning as director and writer, to mostly positive reviews.[5][6][7]

When a Stranger Calls (2006)

Screen Gems first announced the production of a When a Stranger Calls remake in August 2004, with Jake Wade Wall penning the script, replacing plans by Screen Gems to release another theatrical sequel to the original film titled When a Stranger Returns. Evan Rachel Wood was offered the role of Jill, but turned it down, before Camilla Belle was ultimately cast in the role. The film adapts the first 20 minutes of the original film and entirety of The Sitter as the premise for the entirety of the film.[8][9]

Principal cast and characters

List indicator(s)

This section shows characters who will appear or have appeared in more than two films in the series.

  • An empty, dark grey cell indicates the character was not in the film, or that the character's official presence has not yet been confirmed.
  •  V indicates a voice-only role.
  •  Y indicates a younger version of the character.
Character Short film Films
The Sitter When a Stranger Calls When a Stranger Calls Back When a Stranger Calls
1977 1979 1993 2006
Jill Lockart (née Johnson) Lucia Stralser Carol Kane Camilla Belle
Detective John Clifford Bob Sutton Charles Durning Steve Eastin
(as Detective Harv Hines)
Curt Duncan
The Stranger
Curt SandersV Tony Beckley Mentioned Tommy Flanagan
Lance HenriksenV
Mrs. Kelly Mandrakis Karen Kondan Rutanya Alda Kate Jennings Grant
Dr. Mandrakis Bill Striglos Carmen Argenziano Derek de Lint
Lt. Charlie Garber Charles Boswell Ron O'Neal David Denman
(as Officer Burroughs)
Sgt. Sacker Ed Ruffalo William Boyett John Bobek
(as Officer Lewis)
Nancy Sally TaylorV Kirsten LarkinV Katie CassidyV
(as Tiffany Madison)
Tracy Fuller Colleen Dewhurst
Bill Michael Champion
Dr. Monk Rachel Roberts
Stephen Lockhart Steven Anderson Mentioned
Sharon Lenora May
William Landis
The Stranger
Gene Lythgow
Julia Jenz Jill Schoelen
Dr. Schifrin Kevin McNulty
Will Mandrakis Mentioned Arthur Young
Allison Mandrakis Madeline Carroll
Bobby Mentioned Brian Geraghty
Scarlett Tessa Thompson
Ben Johnson Clark Gregg
Boom Boom Brad Surosky
Track Coach Karina Logue
Rosa Ramirez Rosine Ace Hatem
Cody Escher Holloway
Officer Owen Smith
Additional Officer Jessica Faye Helmer
Stacy Lillie WestV

Additional crew and production details

Film Crew/Detail
Composer(s) Cinematographer Editor Production
companies
Distributing
companies
Running time MPAA
rating
The Sitter Jane McNealy Willy Kurant Sam Vitale Parnassus Productions Paramount Pictures 22mins R
When a Stranger Calls (1979) Dana Kaproff Donald Peterman Melvin Simon Productions Columbia Pictures)
Embassy Pictures (re-release)
1hr 37mins
When a Stranger Calls Back David Geddes David Byron Lloyd Krost/Chapin Productions
The Producers Entertainment Group
Pacific Motion Pictures
Universal Television 1hr 34mins
When a Stranger Calls (2006) James Dooley Peter Menzies Jr. Jeff Betancourt Davis Entertainment
Screen Gems
Screen Gems 1hr 27mins

Reception

Box office and financial performance

Film Box office gross Box office ranking Budget Worldwide
Total income
Ref.
North America Other territories Worldwide All time
North America
All time
worldwide
The Sitter
(with Looking for Mr. Goodbar)
$22,512,655 not available not available not available not available $12,000 $22,512,655 [10]
When a Stranger Calls (1979) $21,411,158 not available not available not available not available $740,000 $21,411,158 [11][1]
When a Stranger Calls Back not available not available not available not available not available not available not available not available
When a Stranger Calls (2006) $47,860,214 $19,355,221 $67,215,435 #1 not available $15,000,000 $67,215,435 [12]
Totals $91,784,027 $19,355,221 $67,215,435 $15,752,000 $111,139,248

Critical and public response

Film Rotten Tomatoes Metacritic
When a Stranger Calls (1979) 41% (17 reviews)[13] 58/100 (7 reviews)[14]
When a Stranger Calls Back 57% (7 reviews)[15] not available
When a Stranger Calls (2006) 9% (93 reviews)[16] 27/100 (20 reviews)[17]

Home media

Title Format Discs Region 1 Region 2 Region 4 Special Features Distributors
When a Stranger Calls (1979) Blu-ray 01 3 December 2018 Content New Special Features Second Sight
When a Stranger Calls Back Blu-ray 01 2018 Content New Special Features Scream Factory
When a Stranger Calls (2006) Blu-ray 01 4 December 2014 None Umbrella Entertainment

See also

References

  1. "It's a Scream for Three Unknowns: UNKNOWNS". Thomas, Kevin. Los Angeles Times, October 26, 1979: p. G23.
  2. Rockoff, Adam. Going to Pieces: The Rise and Fall of the Slasher Film, 1978-1986, retrieved June 29, 2016.
  3. "When a Stranger Calls and Happy Birthday to Me". blu-ray.com. Retrieved November 15, 2015.
  4. "When a Stranger Calls". bvhscollector.com. Retrieved November 15, 2015.
  5. Scott, Tony. "Showtime Original Movie When a Stranger Calls Back – Variety". Variety.com. Variety Magazine. Retrieved January 29, 2020.
  6. Gallman, Brett. "Horror Reviews - When a Stranger Calls Back (1993)". OhtheHorror.com. Oh the Horror. Retrieved January 29, 2020.
  7. Schwartz, Dennis. "WHEN A STRANGER CALLS BACK". DennisSchwartzReviews.com. Ozus’ World Movie Reviews. Retrieved January 29, 2020.
  8. LaPorte, Nicole (August 10, 2004). "'Stranger' redials". Variety. Retrieved March 18, 2017.
  9. Balchack, Brian. "Screen Gems plans remakes of When a Stranger Calls and it' sequel When a Stranger Returns". MovieWeb. Retrieved March 18, 2017.
  10. Looking for Mr. Goodbar at Box Office Mojo
  11. When a Stranger Calls at Box Office Mojo
  12. "When a Stranger Calls (2006)". Box Office Mojo. IMDb. Retrieved February 3, 2006.
  13. "When a Stranger Calls (1979)". Rotten Tomatoes.
  14. "When a Stranger Calls". Metacritic.
  15. "When a Stranger Calls Back". Rotten Tomatoes.
  16. "When a Stranger Calls (2006)". Rotten Tomatoes.
  17. "When a Stranger Calls". Metacritic.
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