[comp.dcom.telecom] New Movie: 976-EVIL

kg19+@andrew.cmu.edu (Kurt A. Geisel) (01/22/89)

I heard something about an ultra-cheap horror flick, directed by the
same guy who plays Freddy Crouger (sp?) on the Nightmare on Elm
Street movies, called 976-EVIL.  In light of the recent discussions
on phone rip-offs, I was wondering if anyone knows if there will be
some gimmick to go along with this movie.  If not, I don't think the
phone company would appreciate this title (or a similar one.)  You
know what kind of people watch these movies.  Even if there is no
official ripoff, they will try and dial the number.

If it's not a gimmick, it still made me realize there could be a lot
more phone gimmicks associated with movies and TV shows in the
future.  Even beyond the typical "dial X for YES, dial Y for NO."
Pretty soon, they may try to get us to pay to find out how the story
ends.

- Kurt
Kurt Geisel                       SNAIL :
Carnegie Mellon University            65 Lambeth Dr.
ARPA : kg19+@andrew.cmu.edu           Pittsburgh, PA 15241
UUCP : uunet!nfsun!kgeisel    "You mean, I could have... THUNDERBOLT FISTS?"
BIX  : kgeisel                                    - Infra Man

[Moderator's Note: Actually, the use of the telephone jargon in the title
of movies is nothing new; nor is the use of the telephone as the primary
theme in the film. Of course some movies are made in better taste than others,
and some presume their viewers will have IQ's => 90. Two examples of the
latter from years ago were "Dial 'M' For Murder"; and "Bells Are Ringing"
with the wonderful Judy Garland. Then there was that piece of trash a few
years ago about the phreak (or do you say freak?) who could send killer
amounts of electrical current down the line, and murder his victims simply
by their answering the telephone. Does anyone remember the name of that one?
'Tandem Rush' comes to mind.  P. Townson]