A Cry for Help

This film has stuck in my head for nearly 25 years. A call-in radio DJ mishandles a suicidal caller and then pursues her, through his call-in show, for ambiguous reasons-- remorse, or higher ratings. It received a little attention in 1975-- its ensemble story-telling, with the narrative darting from one call-in witness to the next, is unusual. Director Daryl Dukes was also responsible for PAYDAY, the extraordinary Rip Torn film about a pernicious country/western singer.

Despite this film coming at the end of the run for "The ABC Movie of the Week", it manages to be VERY original...hence my score of 7.

The film begins with a super-obnoxious and abrasive talk radio host (Robert Culp) doing his morning show. Again and again, he treats callers like dirt and his sarcasm and crassness are amazing...yet, inexplicably, he seems to be popular. One of the callers happens to be a lady who is suicidal and instead of treating her gently or seriously, he laughs at her problems and hangs up on her. Only later does it dawn on him that she MIGHT really be a suicidal caller. So, using his show, he urges his callers to call in and help him solve this problem...and locate the girl.

The picture is entertaining, keeps your interest and I appreciate how Culp's character shows SOME growth but STILL must remain true to himself and his cynical facade. Well worth seeing.

Robert Culp plays a cynical radio talk show host who regularly insults callers. He gets a call from a VERY disturbed teenage girl who's going to kill herself (we never find out why). He insults her and, after she hangs up, realizes she is serious. He tells all his listeners to find the girl before she commits suicide.

I caught this back in 1975 when it premiered on TV. I've never forgotten it even though it's over 30 years later! Plotwise this was nothing new but Culp's performance really elevates this. He's right on target all the time and gives easily one of his best performances. This was highly acclaimed when it first came out (the critics LOVED this one) but then it disappeared. If you get a chance watch it just for Clup's performance. My only complaint--WHY was that girl going to kill herself? It's hinted at it early on and then dropped completely.