When a Stranger Calls
“Every babysitter's nightmare becomes real...”
Synopsis
A student babysitter has her evening disturbed when the phone rings. So begins a series of increasingly terrifying and threatening calls that lead to a shocking revelation.
Part of the When a Stranger Calls Collection
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Trailers, Teasers & Extra Featurettes
Official promotional previews, behind-the-scenes footage, and exclusive clips.
TCM Slumberground Presents: When a Stranger Calls (1979)Official
Type: Featurette • Published 2021-01-27
Top Cast
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Carol Kane
Jill Johnson
Charles Durning
John Clifford
Colleen Dewhurst
Tracy
Tony Beckley
Curt Duncan
Rutanya Alda
Mrs. Mandrakis
Carmen Argenziano
Dr. Mandrakis
Kirsten Larkin
Nancy
Ron O'Neal
Lt. Charlie Garber
Heetu
Houseboy
Rachel Roberts
Dr. Monk
Michael Champion
Bill
William Boyett
Sgt. Sacker (as Bill Boyett)
Joseph Reale
Bartender
Ed Wright
Retired Man
Louise Wright
Retired Woman
Carol Tillery Banks
Mrs. Garber
Dennis McMullen
Maintenance Man
Wally Taylor
Cheater
Release History & Theatrical Window
August 24, 1979
Wide Cinema Exhibition
Financials & Box Office Performance
Production Budget
$1.5M
Filming & production cost
Worldwide Gross
$25M
Total global ticket sales
Box Office Return
16.67x
+$23.5M net gain
Theatrical Status
Mega Hit
Box office tier
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Fred Walton
- Screenplay & Story
- Steve Feke, Fred Walton
- Original Score
- Dana Kaproff
- Original Title
- When a Stranger Calls
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 1h 37m
- Production Budget
- $1.5M
- Worldwide Gross
- $25M
- Production Studios
- Melvin Simon Productions
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Fred Walton
Steve Feke, Fred Walton
Dana Kaproff
Donald Peterman
Sam Vitale
Steve Feke, Doug Chapin, Melvin Simon, Barry Krost
Department Leadership Roster
Sam Vitale
Editor
Steve Feke
Writer
Dana Kaproff
Original Music Composer
Fred Walton
Director
Steve Feke
Producer
Fred Walton
Writer
Donald Peterman
Director of Photography
Doug Chapin
Producer
Elayne Barbara Ceder
Production Design
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
R: Restricted — Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.
International Certification Matrix
FSK 16 — Restricted to viewers aged 16 and older.
Restricted — Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for When a Stranger Calls.
Featured In Curated Collections
Editorial lists, community rankings, and cinematic collections featuring When a Stranger Calls.
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Frequently Asked Questions About When a Stranger Calls
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is When a Stranger Calls about?
A student babysitter has her evening disturbed when the phone rings. So begins a series of increasingly terrifying and threatening calls that lead to a shocking revelation.
Who directed When a Stranger Calls?
When a Stranger Calls was directed by Fred Walton.
Who stars in When a Stranger Calls?
The principal cast of When a Stranger Calls includes Carol Kane, Charles Durning, Colleen Dewhurst, Tony Beckley, Rutanya Alda.
When was When a Stranger Calls released and how long is it?
When a Stranger Calls was released in 1979 with a total runtime of 1h 37m.
What was the box office and production budget of When a Stranger Calls?
When a Stranger Calls had a reported production budget of $1.5M and grossed $25M at the worldwide box office (16.67 return on budget, classified as a blockbuster success).
Who composed the musical score for When a Stranger Calls?
The original motion picture soundtrack for When a Stranger Calls was composed by Dana Kaproff.
What is the age rating and content advisory for When a Stranger Calls?
When a Stranger Calls holds official age classifications: AU: MA 15+; DE: 16 (FSK 16 — Restricted to viewers aged 16 and older.); US: R (Restricted — Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.).