Don't Answer the Phone (1980)

25% of users liked it
(1,657 ratings)

This mix of drama, camp, and brutal violence is anchored by the performance of Nicholas Worth. Worth plays Kurt Smith, a sweaty, balding maniac who strangles women with a stocking, raping and mutilating them during and after death. A Vietnam veteran, Smith prowls the streets of Hollywood posing as a… More This mix of drama, camp, and brutal violence is anchored by the performance of Nicholas Worth. Worth plays Kurt Smith, a sweaty, balding maniac who strangles women with a stocking, raping and mutilating them during and after death. A Vietnam veteran, Smith prowls the streets of Hollywood posing as a photographer, then sells his violent porn to sleazy smut-peddler Sam (Porky's star Chuck Mitchell). At home, Smith lifts weights and tells off his dead father, whose abuse was obviously one cause of his mania. Sometimes he calls the radio show of psychiatrist Lindsey Gale (Flo Gerrish), posing as a Puerto Rican named Ramon and asking for advice about his headaches. Dedicated cop McCabe (James Westmoreland) has no luck solving the case until Smith murders one of Dr. Gale's patients, in an unforgivably sick scene. The patient (Paula Warner) was molested by her father, which Smith overhears. When he breaks into her house that night, Smith ties her up while cooing, "Daddy loves his little girl," and pouring hot wax on her as she cries into her teddy-bear. ~ Robert Firsching, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 34 min.
Directed By: Robert Hammer
Written By: Robert Hammer, Michael D. Castle
Genres: Drama, Horror, Mystery & Suspense

In Theaters: Feb 29, 1980 Wide
On DVD: Sep 21, 1999

Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
If you want my advice, skip this poorly made and acted mindless sickie pic.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Cassandra M

Opinions are like as*holes - everybody has one. and unfortunately, plenty of the 'reviewers' here seem to be opining directly from it. How 'politically-aware'. 'I wasn't planning to dignify this film with a review . . . ' - WELL THEN DON'T!… More
Opinions are like as*holes - everybody has one. and unfortunately, plenty of the 'reviewers' here seem to be opining directly from it. How 'politically-aware'. 'I wasn't planning to dignify this film with a review . . . ' - WELL THEN DON'T! Don't watch it. Don't buy it. Don't have anything to do with it - and more importantly - don't sit there crying because you didn't like it, and think that everybody else should boycott it too - just because it offended your fragile sensibilities. I'm quite sure you knew what to expect from the synopsis on the DVD / video cover. 'Well, to start with, this film was made by a misogynist . . . ' AMAZING! Obviously, it must have been in that case! *Misogynist: - a misanthrope who dislikes women in particular. One who hates women* Are you aware of 'exploitation' movies - or is this just the only you've seen that worked? You should have started your review with 'Obviously I don't like films like this - so I should really ask myself why I watched it in the first place . . . ' 'I have absolutely no desire to see an uncut version . . ' I think you should stay away from this genre entirely - because it clearly isn't for you - so please do us all a favour, and don't take any more chances. After all - it might ruin your evening, and force you to write another 'review'. I don't particularly feel comfortable watching scenes containing rapes and/or sexual threat either - but if I watch a movie of this type - I made the decision to view it - so I only have myself to blame. Yes - it was grubby & sleazy & at times uncomfortable. That's usually the point of films which fit neatly into the exploitation genre. Yes - the score is dated. It was made in 1980!! Sure it's cheesy - that's what's enjoyable about it. Yes - the acting isn't fantastic - so what! The movie worked for me. I like that 80's greasy nasty vibe. It's what these films are about. If you don't like it - then don't watch it - but please, don't try to discourage others from seeing it. That's just rude.