The Telephone

The Telephone is a 1988 comedy-drama film written by Terry Southern and Harry Nilsson and directed by Rip Torn, in what was to be the only film he directed. The film stars Whoopi Goldberg as an out-of-work actress who starts doing some prank phone calls which creates a chain of events. The entirety of the film is set in the main character's apartment, and features few actors other than Goldberg. Elliott Gould and John Heard appear in supporting roles. The film was released on January 22, 1988, by New World Pictures to negative critical reception and poor box office. Plot Set mostly in a small San Francisco apartment and almost in real time, Vashti Blue is an out-of-work actress who returns to her home that she shares with her pet goldfish and an owl. On the answering machine, Vashti listens to her messages, and hears her agent remind her of an audition, as well as a notification about her overdue telephone bill. She also hears a voice she believes is her former lover, Larry. Throughout the night, Vashti entertains herself by dialing different telephone numbers, talking to the local food market, video store, police station, and her friend, Jennifer. The noise from Vashti's phone conversations causes Vashti's next-door neighbor to yell at her in frustration. Later, Vashti's former agent, Rodney, and his new client, "Honey Boxe," arrive, asking to use her telephone. However, Vashti refuses Rodney's request. Rodney tells Vashti that her bad attitude always made it difficult to find her acting jobs. Annoyed, Vashti asks Rodney and Honey Boxe to leave, which they do.