IMDb RATING
4.1/10
1.2K
YOUR RATING
A crazy out of work actress, Vashti Blue, spends all her time in her small apartment with her pet owl and her telephone, which she uses to try and solve all her problems with life.A crazy out of work actress, Vashti Blue, spends all her time in her small apartment with her pet owl and her telephone, which she uses to try and solve all her problems with life.A crazy out of work actress, Vashti Blue, spends all her time in her small apartment with her pet owl and her telephone, which she uses to try and solve all her problems with life.
- Awards
- 1 win & 2 nominations total
Don Blakely
- Voice on the Freeway
- (voice)
- …
James Victor
- Voice on the Freeway
- (voice)
- …
Danae Torn
- Crying Woman
- (voice)
- …
Hervé Villechaize
- Voice on the Freeway
- (voice)
- (as Herve VIllechaize)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Featured reviews
The film has all the humor, wit and charm of Whoopi Goldberg's, multi-character, one-person shows with a more cohesive aspect defined by a single, central character. Notice the "hats-off" to Richard Pryor and a final plot twist that shocks and tugs heart strings simultaneously. This one might cruise right over your head. Watch it more than once.
I saw this movie by accident once and i was stunned...One woman holds an entire movie creating you -the viewers- the feeling of communication...Whoopi relies on her talent to make you laugh...(Watch the scene while she is a chinese chef)..sometimes a bit more than she should.Nevertheless,it's ending gives you a "sixth sense" feeling.(Meaning an element turns upside down all that you think till now). A true original that gives a real challenge to any actor.
Flicking the TV, I caught this film somewhere near its beginning. Having no idea of what it was or what it was supposed to be, I got strangely caught up in it. It's not great, but it is unusual... and that's saying something nowadays. I see here at the IMDb that most people don't like it. Hate it even. However, to get a better idea of how good or bad other people think it is, I suppose I would have to screen out those people who would hate ANY film that consisted of essentially only one person talking. It would probably be appreciated better by those people who like live theater; it has that quality to it. Still, it's not great and I don't think I would find it worth the money and effort to go out somewhere to see it. But on TV or as a rental it's worth seeing, interesting enough in its own odd way. I'm glad I caught it.
Little-seen comedy is out-of-order. Whoopi Goldberg-addicts were still around in 1988, despite the star's penchant for playing in dumb action-comedies that tarnished her overall appeal. Still, even hardcore fans would be hard-pressed to sit through this misfire, a troubled production that Whoopi tried unsuccessfully from getting released. She plays Vashti Blue--a terrific character name--an actress with a pet owl (!) who spends much of her time arguing on the phone. Vashti is neurotic, but not funny; Goldberg was encouraged to improvise dialogue by the suits at New World Pictures to bring some of her sassy stand-up act to the picture, much to the displeasure of Rip Torn, who directed. Torn was apparently in over his head--and seems to be a mismatch with Goldberg's fast-patter urban style. The screenplay (by Harry Nilsson and Terry Southern, of all people) doesn't offer us anything but a harangue, and Whoopi's star-presence fails to give it an edge. Shapeless and static. Goldberg had veteran cinematographer John A. Alonzo fired during production, replacing him with her husband, David Claessen. She also says her cocaine addiction was a factor in the film not working, but that "potheads absolutely love it."
I rented this movie from a small video rental store in Los Angeles, and found it to be hilarious. I've been looking for it ever since and I have not been able to find it. This little known early work of Whoopi G shows you want we had in store. Her comedic timing is splendid. SEE IT IF YOU CAN FIND IT... and then let me know! I want a copy!
Whoopi... you go girl!
Whoopi... you go girl!
Did you know
- TriviaWhoopi Goldberg took director Rip Torn and the film's producers to court to prevent the film's release due to a disagreement over control over the final cut of the film. She lost.
- ConnectionsFeatured in The Beach Boys & Little Richard: Happy Endings (1987)
- SoundtracksSweet Georgia Brown
Written by Ben Bernie, Maceo Pinkard and Kenneth Casey
© 1925 Warner Bros, Inc (Renewed) (A.S.C.A.P.)
- How long is The Telephone?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- The Telephone
- Filming locations
- 1751 Market Street, San Francisco, California, USA(Exterior of Vashti's apartment)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $2,200,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $99,978
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $54,811
- Jan 24, 1988
- Gross worldwide
- $99,978
- Runtime1 hour 36 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
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