The Telephone
(1988)
R | 97 mins | Comedy | 22 January 1988
Director:
Rip TornWriters:
Harry Nilsson, Terry SouthernProducers:
Robert Katz, Moctesuma EsparzaCinematographer:
David ClaessenEditor:
Sandra AdairProduction Designer:
Jim PohlProduction Companies:
New World Pictures , Odyssey Entertainment Ltd., Hawkeye Entertainment, Inc.A 6 Feb 1987 DV production chart stated that principal photography began on 13 Jan 1987 in San Francisco, CA. A brief in the 28 Jan 1987 LAT noted that filming took place at San Francisco Studios. According to an article in the 23 Oct 1987 DV, filming was completed in twelve shooting days, and the 12 Jan 1988 LAT listed the budget as $2.2 million.
While the 25 Jan 1987 LAT reported the picture would open during summer 1987, a 28 Jul 1987 DV item noted that the film would be released domestically in Oct 1987.
The 3 Sep 1987 DV reported that on 2 Sep 1988, actress Whoopi Goldberg filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court against New World Pictures and director Rip Torn seeking injunction to stop the film’s release, as well as $5 million in punitive damages and $100,000 in actual damages. The suit stated that under Goldberg’s contract with New World Pictures and Telephone Prods. Inc., she had the right to be involved with editing the film, but “was not allowed to attend all editing sessions or share in cuts” with the director. After editing her own cut, Goldberg claimed New World Pictures and Telephone Prods. Inc. intended to release her version over Torn’s cut, but Torn and the Directors Guild of America (DGA) filed for arbitration against that decision. On 11 Aug 1987, the arbitrator sided with Torn and the DGA, ruling “that a disclaimer be placed on all prints of [Goldberg's version of] the film stating it had been edited ...
A 6 Feb 1987 DV production chart stated that principal photography began on 13 Jan 1987 in San Francisco, CA. A brief in the 28 Jan 1987 LAT noted that filming took place at San Francisco Studios. According to an article in the 23 Oct 1987 DV, filming was completed in twelve shooting days, and the 12 Jan 1988 LAT listed the budget as $2.2 million.
While the 25 Jan 1987 LAT reported the picture would open during summer 1987, a 28 Jul 1987 DV item noted that the film would be released domestically in Oct 1987.
The 3 Sep 1987 DV reported that on 2 Sep 1988, actress Whoopi Goldberg filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court against New World Pictures and director Rip Torn seeking injunction to stop the film’s release, as well as $5 million in punitive damages and $100,000 in actual damages. The suit stated that under Goldberg’s contract with New World Pictures and Telephone Prods. Inc., she had the right to be involved with editing the film, but “was not allowed to attend all editing sessions or share in cuts” with the director. After editing her own cut, Goldberg claimed New World Pictures and Telephone Prods. Inc. intended to release her version over Torn’s cut, but Torn and the Directors Guild of America (DGA) filed for arbitration against that decision. On 11 Aug 1987, the arbitrator sided with Torn and the DGA, ruling “that a disclaimer be placed on all prints of [Goldberg's version of] the film stating it had been edited in violation of the DGA basic agreement and that ads be taken out stating the same.” In response to the ruling, New World decided to only release Torn’s version, which Goldberg found to be “artistically inferior.” As reported in the 21 Oct 1987 DV, the judge ruled against Goldberg on 20 Oct 1987.
According to announcements in the 30 Oct 1987 issues of DV and HR, New World Pictures had scheduled a limited theatrical release on 15 Jan 1988 in Los Angeles and San Francisco, CA, New York City, and Toronto, Canada. However, the picture opened a week later on 22 Jan 1988 in Los Angeles. The 26 Jan 1988 LAT stated that the film took in $54,811 at the box office during its opening weekend on fifty screens.
Reviews in the 22 Jan 1988 HR and 27 Jan 1988 Var listed the film’s running time as eighty-two minutes, while the 14 Feb 1988 NYT noted the film was ninety-seven minutes. The print viewed by AFI was seventy-nine minutes.
The Telephone marked the feature directorial debut of actor Rip Torn.
End credits state: “Special thanks to: John Alonzo; William House; Geraldine Page; Robert Radnitz; Leonard Rosenman; Anthony Torn; Robert M. Young"; and, “Acknowledgements: San Francisco Studios; General Car Rental; Code-A-Phone; ‘Enchanted Cottage’ video clip, courtesy of RKO.”
In the evening, unemployed actress Vashti Blue returns to the apartment she shares with her pet goldfish and owl. On the answering machine, Vashti listens to her messages, and hears her agent remind her of an audition, as well as a notification about her overdue telephone bill. She also hears a voice she believes is her former lover, Larry. Throughout the night, Vashti entertains herself by dialing different telephone numbers, talking to the local market, video store, police station, and her friend, Jennifer. The noise from the calls causes Vashti’s next-door neighbor to yell at her in frustration. Later, Vashti’s former agent, Rodney, and his new client, “Honey Boxe,” arrive, asking to use her telephone. However, Vashti refuses Rodney’s request. Rodney tells Vashti that her bad attitude always made it difficult to find her acting jobs. Annoyed, Vashti asks Rodney and Honey Boxe to leave. Afterward, Vashti again telephones Jennifer, confessing she has not been sleeping well, and taking too much of her medications. Later, a man from the telephone company arrives at the apartment to take back her telephone. Vashti insists the telephone is a necessity in her life, but the man tells Vashti that her service was terminated two months ago, and the telephone is disconnected. As the man picks up the telephone, Vashti attacks and kills him. Afterward, she picks up the receiver and “calls” the police station to report her crime. ...
In the evening, unemployed actress Vashti Blue returns to the apartment she shares with her pet goldfish and owl. On the answering machine, Vashti listens to her messages, and hears her agent remind her of an audition, as well as a notification about her overdue telephone bill. She also hears a voice she believes is her former lover, Larry. Throughout the night, Vashti entertains herself by dialing different telephone numbers, talking to the local market, video store, police station, and her friend, Jennifer. The noise from the calls causes Vashti’s next-door neighbor to yell at her in frustration. Later, Vashti’s former agent, Rodney, and his new client, “Honey Boxe,” arrive, asking to use her telephone. However, Vashti refuses Rodney’s request. Rodney tells Vashti that her bad attitude always made it difficult to find her acting jobs. Annoyed, Vashti asks Rodney and Honey Boxe to leave. Afterward, Vashti again telephones Jennifer, confessing she has not been sleeping well, and taking too much of her medications. Later, a man from the telephone company arrives at the apartment to take back her telephone. Vashti insists the telephone is a necessity in her life, but the man tells Vashti that her service was terminated two months ago, and the telephone is disconnected. As the man picks up the telephone, Vashti attacks and kills him. Afterward, she picks up the receiver and “calls” the police station to report her crime.
Viewed by AFI
Partially Viewed
Offscreen Credit
Name Occurs Before Title
AFI Life Achievement AwardTOP SEARCHES
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