When a Stranger Calls - Opening

The first part of the opening scene from When a Stranger Calls (1979).
Many of us have heard urban legends based upon the situation portrayed in this film. The first scene in this movie is nicely done and could easily stand alone as a short film.
With Halloween right around the corner, I thought that I should share a piece of this under rated movie.

[@lilyisacat29]

This easily goes down as the most toe curling, edge of your seat, suspenseful horror movie scene of all time.

[@Crystalshopmusic]

Hey It's Lily really?

[@lilyisacat29]

Tony M well for me, personally. When a Stranger Calls, particularly this scene, was my first exposure to horror films when I was very young and is the reason why I've become a horror movie fanatic. I can never watch this scene without feeling paranoia, and has basically put me off doing any babysitting. The way this scene is structured and shot, along with the amazing suspenseful soundtrack, dark tones of the house and complete silence, just freaks me the hell out.

[@jonathanworden4609]

The atmosphere of this film does it. Plus it feels like you're being watched while watching this film.

[@shaylawatson1244]

Point blank period

[@shaylawatson1244]

This scence paved the way for horror movies like scream

[@cowboybuzz5533]

one of the most underrated horror films ever

[@sarasmith9450]

I agree

[@44excalibur]

The only problem with the movie is that the opening 20 minutes are the best part, along with the final climax. It's the majority of the middle of the film that drags on. I've always suggested that what the film should've done was base the middle of the film on other urban legends such as "the killer in the back seat of the car" and "aren't you glad you didn't turn on the lights" after the killer escapes from prison and makes his way back to Carol Kane's character years later.

[@MrCraigblaze]

Yrs it was..I just loved the restaurant scene.. XD

[@kerriecarr6287]

I was teenager in the 60s I remember this story went around then, so when the movie came out 1979 I was terrified when I came home from the movie I was so scared I slept with all the lights on,thank God my husband was home at the time. I have never been so terrified the only movie after that was Anthony Hopkins Silence of the Lamb!

[@danielanderson8322]

Underrated horror films or underrated first 20 minutes to a horror film? Because that's really where the most interesting story begins and ends. As everything after is basically a run of the mill chase movie, with the ending feeling more like a sequel to the opening 20 minutes

[@Neoghost00]

I remember seeing this movie when I was younger and it messed me up haha. I had a father who worked nights and three nights a week my mother went to a bowling league. My older brother was always out with friends which often left me home alone at times. When I saw this movie... every creak in the house, bark outside, or even a shift in something... I thought it was someone watching me. This is such a well balanced fear induced scene that builds and builds and prays on the logical thinking of 'it's nothing, stop worrying, you're being dramatic, just relax' and makes you truly question if you should follow your instincts.

[@klovenkane5982]

The beginning of Scream pays homage to this movie.

[@brandonkashinsky9222]

Yep

[@Bren8986]

Wonderful performance by Carol Kane & a very well produced scene !!! 👍

[@normanberry8071]

Based on a short film called the sitter, the first 20 minutes of the movie basically was the film short.

[@STONECOLD1987]

the best part from the original When A Stranger Calls

[@barbaranelson8617]

STONECOLD1987 The opening and the ending. The middle part sucked.

[@DTplayer1]

1:37 that is one of the most unsettling noises I've ever heard in my entire life

[@johannawigg6921]

What actually was it?

[@moodforever]

@@johannawigg6921him making a creak somewhere in the house

[@garyraymer]

I remember seeing this movie when it came out, the first twenty minutes....whew!!!! scary, tense, frightening, believable, and after those twenty minutes, it has what I call the "STANDARD" scary movie, but those first twenty minutes make up for it, if you like genuine scary movies, like Halloween(1979) you'll enjoy this one, maybe "enjoy" is too strong a word, but, it left me shaking in my shoes!!!

[@Sitharos]

I remember thinking, “Bitch! Get up them stairs and check on them damn kids!” ☠️

[@ryancampbell5039]

Absolutely bone chilling.

[@ismailibrahim2966]

Why haven't you checked the children?

[@MrCraigblaze]

In this version she did not.. XD

[@emmab3548]

The music MADE this movie. A classic!

[@davidellis5141]

The Calls are coming from inside the house !!

[@danielanderson8322]

You know what. I actually would've liked to have seen what would've happened had she used a whistle the way the operator suggested. Probably would've given the caller away

[@unknownunknown2551]

You are never alone...You have Alexa in the house.

[@LilMissSmartyPants.922]

why did she never check on the kids?

[@moodforever]

Because their mother said they were sick and she had a hard time getting to sleep & try not to wake them up

[@Mary...22-u9j]

@@moodforever so? you have some nut calling asking "have you checked the children" and you dont check to make sure they are ok? thats just dumb

[@buckyzombie]

Have you checked the children?

[@mattjindrak]

Yeah I checked the children, where's my fuckin cookie?

[@shlokamsrivastava6782]

😂😂😂

[@atrocchia]

This scene just would not work with a smartphone for a variety of reasons.

[@billycharles]

One off the greatest openings ever of a hooror/suspense movie

[@chitterlingsrtasty]

Where’s the rest??? I was 6 or 7 when I this movie came out. Will Never forget it. Chilling.

[@lisahatton5718]

4:05 ahh yeah, I'd definitely have a shot or two also...

[@eddpower5425]

Your nerves would literally be hopping off the walls watching this

[@USSJTrunkso]

amazing movie the beginning is the best, falls apart at middle tho :D, the score is similar to hereditary

[@michaelvroom9800]

2:47 Oh my god I'm so scared right now... Oh look a Popsicle!

[@sonicfrogdotnet]

Hey man.. Comfort food. :-P

[@johnlamphier9812]

can you imagine if Columbo had been the choice of cop instead of Charles durning..........

[@MrCraigblaze]

Gosh yes.. XD

[@LayrtizParkProductions]

LEAVE ME ALONE!

[@undeadwarfare828]

The rest of the movie is random filler, except for the ending.The beginning and the end are the only parts worth watching.

[@huckfinn9225]

Hello...

[@reidasplataformas9397]

Ainda bem que nunca tive babá kkkkkkkkkk

[@tgil22]

1:35- ✌️

[@ianmcguire1273]

This is literally the entire movie of the When a Stranger Calls (2005) remake and it’s done in the first 8 minutes?! LMFAO! What a ripoff!

[@dylusional419]

The remake is horrible

[@katelynthewhitewerewolf6376]

When A Stranger Calls 2006 Remake is better.

[@lawrencegabrielforest8096]

no, it's very weak, 2/10

[@Paddrique]

With a better lead maybe

[@margareta249]

Nah. Remake is not as good as the original. They should never remake good horror movies.

[@rorym1980]

zzzzzzzzzz