The Telephone (1988)

User Rating:

3.5/10   

Director:

Rip Torn

Writers:

Harry Nilsson (screenplay) &
Terry Southern (screenplay)

Release Date:

22 January 1988 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Tagline:

She's on the line...and off the wall.

Plot:

A crazy out of work actress, Vashti Blue, spends all her time in her small apartment with her pet owl and her telephone...

Plot Keywords:

Actress | Telephone | Owl | Unemployed | Independent Film

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Whoopi Goldberg	...	Vashti Blue
Severn Darden	...	Max
Elliott Gould	...	Rodney
John Heard	...	Telephone Man
Ronald J. Stallings	...	Saxophone Player
John Hattan	...	Sidewalk Vendor
Lina Chu	...	Sidewalk Vendor
James Victor	...	Big Ray on Answering Machine (voice)
Robin Menken	...	Voice on the Freeway (voice)
Danae Torn	...	Midge on Answering Machine (voice)
Hervé Villechaize	...	Voice on the Freeway (voice)
Don Blakely	...	Larry on Answering Machine / Voice on the Freeway (voice)
Amy Wright	...	Honey Boxe / Irate Neighbor / Jennifer on Answering Machine

Also Known As:

Allo, je craque (France) (video title) [fr]
El telèfon (Spain: Catalan title) [ca]
Le téléphone (Canada: French title) [fr]
Telefon Terror (West Germany) [de]
Telefon Terror (Hungary) [hu]

Runtime:

96 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Iceland:L | Australia:M | USA:R

Company:

Esparza / Katz Productions

Trivia:

Whoopi Goldberg took director Rip Torn and the film's producers to court to prevent the film's release due to its poor quality. She lost.

This is one of my favourite Whoopi Goldberg films

Frankly, I'm surprised by all the negatives that I have heard about this film, including (and I don't know if it is true or not) that Miss Goldberg so disliked the piece of work that she sought to have its release blocked.

There are some classic lines/phrases in this film, that I have remembered since first seeing it approximately ten years ago -- and it's worth noting that I have seen it many times since, and enjoy it every time. Whoopi's stand-up comedic talents shine in this production. Those talents become even more evident to the viewer at the conclusion of the film.

This, along with Whoopi Goldberg Live on Broadway, is among my favourite work by Miss Goldberg -- both can be difficult to find in movie rental stores, but are worth searching for, or special ordering. I would hold The Telephone to be equal in comedic and entertainment value to Jumping Jack Flash.