Don't Answer the Phone! (1980)

User Rating:

4.1/10   

Director:

Robert Hammer

Writers:

Michael D. Castle (writer)
Robert Hammer (writer)

Release Date:

29 February 1980 (USA)

Genre:

Horror | Mystery | Thriller

Tagline:

He'll Know You're Alone!

Plot:

A deeply disturbed photographer and Vietnam veteran, named Kirk Smith, terrorizes Los Angeles by going...

Plot Keywords:

Psychologist | Photographer | Gunshot Wound | Knife Murder | Alcoholism

Awards:

1 win

Cast

James Westmoreland	...	Lt. Chris McCabe
Ben Frank	...	Sgt. Hatcher
Flo Lawrence	...	Dr. Lindsay Gale (as Flo Gerrish)
Nicholas Worth	...	Kirk Smith
Denise Galik	...	Lisa
Stan Haze	...	Adkins
Gary Allen	...	John Feldon
Michael D. Castle	...	Lab Man (as Michael Castle)
Pamela Jean Bryant	...	Sue Ellen (as Pamela Bryant)
Ted Chapman	...	Man in Bar
Chris Wallace	...	Psychic Von Hammensveld
Dale Kalberg	...	Nurse
Deborah Leah Land	...	Police Woman
Tom Lasswell	...	Police Psychiatrist
Mike Levine	...	Gary Markov

Also Known As:

The Hollywood Strangler

Runtime:

94 min | USA:85 min (DVD)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Singapore:NC-16 | Iceland:16 | Canada:R | Australia:R | Denmark:15 (video rating) | France:-16 | UK:18 | USA:R | Germany:BPjM Restricted

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Scorpion

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: The first blonde victim can clearly be seen to breathe after being strangled.

Quotes:

Kirk Smith: Are you proud of me now? Do I measure up?

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Dead Teenager Movie (2006) (V)

Opinions are like as*holes - everybody has one.

. . . and unfortunately, plenty of the 'reviewers' here seem to be opining directly from it.

How 'politically-aware'.

'I wasn't planning to dignify this film with a review . . . ' - WELL THEN DON'T! Don't watch it. Don't buy it. Don't have anything to do with it - and more importantly - don't sit there crying because you didn't like it, and think that everybody else should boycott it too - just because it offended your fragile sensibilities. I'm quite sure you knew what to expect from the synopsis on the DVD / video cover.

'Well, to start with, this film was made by a misogynist . . . ' AMAZING! Obviously, it must have been in that case! *Misogynist: - a misanthrope who dislikes women in particular. One who hates women*

Are you aware of 'exploitation' movies - or is this just the only you've seen that worked? You should have started your review with 'Obviously I don't like films like this - so I should really ask myself why I watched it in the first place . . . '

'I have absolutely no desire to see an uncut version . . ' I think you should stay away from this genre entirely - because it clearly isn't for you - so please do us all a favour, and don't take any more chances. After all - it might ruin your evening, and force you to write another 'review'.

I don't particularly feel comfortable watching scenes containing rapes and/or sexual threat either - but if I watch a movie of this type - I made the decision to view it - so I only have myself to blame.

Yes - it was grubby & sleazy & at times uncomfortable. That's usually the point of films which fit neatly into the exploitation genre. Yes - the score is dated. It was made in 1980!! Sure it's cheesy - that's what's enjoyable about it. Yes - the acting isn't fantastic - so what!

The movie worked for me. I like that 80's greasy nasty vibe. It's what these films are about.

If you don't like it - then don't watch it - but please, don't try to discourage others from seeing it. That's just rude.