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| director = [[Michael Anderson (director)|Michael Anderson]] |
| director = [[Michael Anderson (director)|Michael Anderson]] |
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| producer = |
| producer = |
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| screenplay = Michael Butler<br>[[Dennis Shryack]]<br>[[John Kent Harrison]] |
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| writer = |
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| story = {{Plainlist| |
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* George Armondo |
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* James Whiton |
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* Michael Butler |
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* [[Dennis Shryack]] |
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}} |
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| starring = [[Richard Chamberlain]] <br> [[John Houseman]] |
| starring = [[Richard Chamberlain]] <br> [[John Houseman]] |
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| cinematography = |
| cinematography = [[Reginald H. Morris]] |
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| music = [[John Barry (composer)|John Barry]] |
| music = [[John Barry (composer)|John Barry]] |
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| country = Canada |
| country = United States <br> Canada |
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| language = English |
| language = English |
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| distributor = [[New World Pictures]]{{sfn|Muir|2011|pages=116–117}} |
| distributor = [[New World Pictures]]{{sfn|Muir|2011|pages=116–117}} |
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| runtime = 95 minutes |
| runtime = 95 minutes |
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| studio = [[Telefilm Canada]]<br>Famous Players Entertainment<br>Coco Films |
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| released = {{Film date|1982|10|08}} |
| released = {{Film date|1982|10|08}} |
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}} |
}} |
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'''''Murder by Phone''''' |
'''''Murder by Phone''''' (also known as '''''Bells''''' and '''''The Calling''''')<ref name=fsr>{{cite web|work=[[Film School Rejects]]|url=https://filmschoolrejects.com/murder-by-phone-review/|title=That Ringing In Your Ears? It's 'Murder By Phone' Calling|author=Hunter, Rob|date=June 26, 2017|access-date=September 6, 2018}}</ref> is a 1982 [[science fiction]] [[slasher film]] directed by [[Michael Anderson (director)|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. |
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== Cast == |
== Cast == |
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* [[Ken Pogue]] as Fil Thorner |
* [[Ken Pogue]] as Fil Thorner |
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* [[Neil Munro (actor)|Neil Munro]] as Winters |
* [[Neil Munro (actor)|Neil Munro]] as Winters |
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* [[Tom Butler (actor)|Tom Butler]] as Detective Tamblyn |
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| ⚫ | |||
* [[Colin Fox (actor)|Colin Fox]] as Dr. Leon Alderman |
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| ⚫ | |||
* [[Luba Goy]] as Beth Freemantle |
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* [[Lenore Zann]] as Connie Lawson |
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* [[George R. Robertson]] as George Lord |
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* [[Angus MacInnes]] as Colin Bartell |
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* [[Neil Affleck]] as Phone Tracer |
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==Novel== |
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The movie was preceded by a novel called ''Phone Call'' written by the screenwriters Michael Butler and Dennis Shryack by author 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.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Phone Call|url=http://www.gradyhendrix.com/phone-call|access-date=2021-06-01|website=Grady Hendrix|language=en-US}}</ref> |
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==Production== |
==Production== |
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''Murder by Phone'' was filmed in 1980 in [[Toronto]], Ontario, Canada.{{sfn|Fischer|2011|p=50}} |
''Murder by Phone'' was filmed in 1980 in [[Toronto]], Ontario, Canada.{{sfn|Fischer|2011|p=50}} |
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It was known as ''Bells'' and was picked up for distribution by Roger Corman's New World Pictures.<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=The Toronto Star|date=21 September 1982|page=27|title=Corman turns hand to Canadian films}}</ref> |
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The score by John Barry is electronic, played entirely with [[Synthesizer|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 (film)|Jagged Edge]]'' and ''[[A View to a Kill]]''. |
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==Release== |
==Release== |
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''Murder by Phone'' was released in the United States on October 8, 1982.{{efn|The earliest newspaper sources displaying showtimes for the film are dated for the weekend of October 8—10, 1982.<ref>{{cite news|work=The Tampa Tribune|title=Midnite Movie Express|location=Tampa, Florida|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/23503056/the_tampa_tribune/| |
''Murder by Phone'' was released in the United States on October 8, 1982.{{efn|The earliest newspaper sources displaying showtimes for the film are dated for the weekend of October 8—10, 1982.<ref>{{cite news|work=The Tampa Tribune|title=Midnite Movie Express|location=Tampa, Florida|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/23503056/the_tampa_tribune/|page=23|via=Newspapers.com|date=October 8, 1982}} {{open access}}</ref>}} |
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===Critical response=== |
===Critical response=== |
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===Home media=== |
===Home media=== |
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''Murder by Phone'' was released on [[VHS]] by [[Warner Home Video]] in 1984.<ref>{{cite |
''Murder by Phone'' was released on [[VHS]] by [[Warner Home Video]] in 1984.<ref>{{cite AV media|title=Murder by Phone|publisher=Warner Home Video|type=VHS|id= 24005|year=1984|orig-year=1982}}</ref> The VHS was reissued in 1998.<ref>{{cite AV media|title=Murder by Phone|publisher=Warner Home Video|type=VHS|asin=6300271919|year=1998|orig-year=1982}}</ref> |
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==Notes== |
==Notes== |
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{{ |
{{notelist}} |
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== References == |
== References == |
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==Works cited== |
==Works cited== |
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*{{cite book|last=Fischer|first=Dennis|year=2011|title=Science Fiction Film Directors, 1895–1998|publisher=McFarland|location=Jefferson, North Carolina |
*{{cite book|last=Fischer|first=Dennis|year=2011|title=Science Fiction Film Directors, 1895–1998|publisher=McFarland|location=Jefferson, North Carolina|isbn=978-0-786-48505-5}} |
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*{{cite book|last=Maltin|first=Leonard|year=2009|title=Leonard Maltin's Movie and Video Guide|publisher=New American Library |
*{{cite book|last=Maltin|first=Leonard|year=2009|title=Leonard Maltin's Movie and Video Guide|publisher=New American Library|isbn=978-0-451-22468-2}} |
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*{{cite book|last=Muir|first=John Kenneth|title=Horror Films of the 1980s|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VJ1vcmaOd7wC&pg=PA116|year=2011|publisher=McFarland|isbn=978-0-7864-5501-0|location=Jefferson, North Carolina |
*{{cite book|last=Muir|first=John Kenneth|title=Horror Films of the 1980s|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VJ1vcmaOd7wC&pg=PA116|year=2011|publisher=McFarland|isbn=978-0-7864-5501-0|location=Jefferson, North Carolina}} |
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== External links == |
== External links == |
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[[Category:1982 horror films]] |
[[Category:1982 horror films]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:1982 films]] |
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[[Category:American slasher films]] |
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[[Category:Canadian slasher films]] |
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[[Category:1980s slasher films]] |
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[[Category:1980s science fiction horror films]] |
[[Category:1980s science fiction horror films]] |
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[[Category:Films directed by Michael Anderson]] |
[[Category:Films directed by Michael Anderson]] |
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[[Category:Films scored by John Barry (composer)]] |
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[[Category:Films shot in Toronto]] |
[[Category:Films shot in Toronto]] |
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[[Category:New World Pictures films]] |
[[Category:New World Pictures films]] |
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[[Category:English-language Canadian films]] |
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[[Category:Canadian horror thriller films]] |
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{{1980s-horror-film-stub}} |
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[[Category:American mystery thriller films]] |
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[[Category:Canadian mystery horror films]] |
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[[Category:American science fiction horror films]] |
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[[Category:Canadian science fiction horror films]] |
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[[Category:American horror thriller films]] |
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[[Category:American mystery horror films]] |
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[[Category:Techno-horror films]] |
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[[Category:1980s English-language films]] |
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[[Category:1980s American films]] |
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[[Category:1980s Canadian films]] |
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[[Category:1980s mystery horror films]] |
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[[Category:1982 science fiction films]] |
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[[Category:English-language science fiction horror films]] |
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[[Category:English-language mystery films]] |
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Latest revision as of 01:48, 20 November 2024
| Murder by Phone | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Michael Anderson |
| Screenplay by | Michael Butler Dennis Shryack John Kent Harrison |
| Story by |
|
| Starring | Richard Chamberlain John Houseman |
| Cinematography | Reginald H. Morris |
| Music by | John Barry |
Production companies | |
| Distributed by | New World Pictures[1] |
Release date |
|
Running time | 95 minutes |
| Countries | United States Canada |
| Language | English |
Murder by Phone (also known as Bells and The Calling)[2] is a 1982 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
[edit]- 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
[edit]The movie was preceded by a novel called Phone Call written by the screenwriters Michael Butler and Dennis Shryack by author 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
[edit]Murder by Phone was filmed in 1980 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.[4]
It was known as Bells and was picked up for distribution by Roger Corman's New World Pictures.[5]
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
[edit]Murder by Phone was released in the United States on October 8, 1982.[a]
Critical response
[edit]Leonard Maltin noted the film's cast and direction as being legitimately "talented," but deemed the film a "hoary horror exercise."[7]
Home media
[edit]Murder by Phone was released on VHS by Warner Home Video in 1984.[8] The VHS was reissued in 1998.[9]
Notes
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ 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.
- ^ "Corman turns hand to Canadian films". The Toronto Star. 21 September 1982. p. 27.
- ^ "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.
- ^ Murder by Phone (VHS). Warner Home Video. 1998 [1982]. ASIN 6300271919.
Works cited
[edit]- 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
[edit]Categories:
- 1982 films
- 1982 horror 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
- English-language Canadian films
- Canadian horror thriller films
- American mystery thriller films
- Canadian mystery horror films
- American science fiction horror films
- Canadian science fiction horror films
- American horror thriller films
- American mystery horror films
- Techno-horror films
- 1980s English-language films
- 1980s American films
- 1980s Canadian films
- 1980s mystery horror films
- 1982 science fiction films
- English-language science fiction horror films
- English-language mystery films