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can you help me list other films with phones so important

posted 16 years ago by bsmith5500
33 replies | jump to latest

I'm trying to write a paper on films where the phone practically becomes a character. If it weren't for phones the story wouldn't happen. The easy ones are Dial M for Murder and Sorry, Wrong Number. But there are others like His Girl Friday or even new films like Vantage Point or Phonebooth.

Can you help me think of others? I'm trying to look at how technology, specifically the phone, can move a story line.
Thanks

[–] noirgirl 16 years ago

The most recent example I can think of is Cellular, which is excellent. Older movies, hmm...I have to think about that.

[–] john-3939 16 years ago

I recall 'Sunday, bloody Sunday' having inescapable phone ringing throughout.
The main characters all used the same answer service and were thus made aware of each other's intentions. The telephone is certainly intrusive throughout the film. With foresight Glenda Jackson, Peter Finch and Murray Head would have wished for future technology - or mobile phones!

[–] 16 years ago

[deleted]

[–] RabbitFighter 16 years ago

Check out klute, the donald Sutherland film. Also telefon, the Charles bronson film.

[–] Noirdame79 15 years ago

Another good thriller in which a phone is prominent is "Midnight Lace" (1960) starring Doris Day and Rex Harrison.

[–] Jake-219 15 years ago

I know this is probably and unfortunately too late for your paper, but there's the great though largely forgotten "The Slender Thread," (1965) wherein Sidney Poitier is a hotline volunteer trying to prevent Anne Bancroft from committing suicide.

And if you're going to include "His Girl Friday," then you should probably also throw in "The Front Page" in all its incarnations. "Girl Friday" was a version of that play, substituting a woman for a man as the Hildy character.

[–] darryllmonroe-1 15 years ago

If no one else has suggested this, try "Mojave Phone Booth" , very cool indie film and yeah, all about a phone....Merry Christmas ! Darryl

[–] Blondfashionisto 14 years ago

Way too late now, I'm sure (as it's an older thread) but two other movies that really revolve around the telephone (or, more accurately, a telephone service that is crucial in the plot) are:

- 'Butterfield 8' (Elizabeth Taylor) and,
- 'Bells are Ringing' (Judy Holliday)

And, one other movie that came to mind was 'Far From Heaven' where the main characters who do use the telephone for plot development (it's actually made to be similar to a classic movie but it's modern).

‘Six inches is perfectly adequate; more is vulgar!' (Prime of Miss Jean Brodie Re: An open window).

[–] devil_girl15 14 years ago

when a stranger calls, scream, terms of endearment lol

What ever you do, DON'T FALL ASLEEP.-Nancy Thompson RIP

[–] mel20 14 years ago

The 1952 classic starring Bette Davis, Gary Merrill and Shirley Winters "Phone Call From a Stranger."

[–] ajdob 13 years ago

Phone booth with Colin Firth, When a Stranger Calls, etc.

[–] Asaaf00 13 years ago

There's a nice Korean horror movie called:
Phone (2002)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0323630/