Murder By Phone (1982) - Blu-ray Forum

CMG · 03-31-2025, 06:02 PM

The star of 'Bells' RICHARD CHAMBERLAIN would've been 91 today.

(March 31, 1934 - March 29, 2025).

Think this was the only real horror movie he did. I mean, I know he was in "The Swarm" (1978) but it's hard to call THE SWARM a 'horror movie', innit? I reckon it was ~meant~ to be more suspenseful and scary than it turned out.

MURDER BY PHONE was the U.S. re-title.

BELLS was filmed in Canada in mid-to-late 1980.

BELLS was released on ASTRAL VIDEO in Canada in the mid-1980s. This is the original version of the movie running 95 minutes. ASTRAL issued it on tape in a clamshell case with insert artwork. (I've got one).

MURDER BY PHONE was released on WARNER HOME VIDEO in the U.S. in the mid-80s in a version running 80 minutes. WARNER issued it on tape in a clamshell case with insert artwork. (I've one of these as well).

→ I don't know offhand if WARNER re-issued "Murder By Phone" in a small box after the clamshell release?

I reckon Roger Corman of New World would've been the one who felt the movie would be better if it were ((tightened)) up, ergo, the shorter run time for the American version along with the different title. That's my best guess as to why the U.S. version was shorn of 15 minutes and re-titled.

------------------------------------

Of all the dreadful suspense•horror movies that have been issued on DVD and/or Blu-ray over the years it is surprising that BELLS or MURDER BY PHONE -- either version -- has not been issued legally on digital disc.

I guess the movie just fell through the cracks? Maybe whoever or whatever entity owns the rights to 'BELLS' at this point doesn't care about re-issuing it.

Another Thought: Is it possible the folks /or/ company who currently own the rights to BELLS don't even know it's in their holdings?

03-31-2025, 06:02 PM	#5
CMG Special Member Member since:Jul 2023 Location:state of GA, USA Blu-ray collection:50 DVD collection:260	The star of 'Bells' RICHARD CHAMBERLAIN would've been 91 today. (March 31, 1934 - March 29, 2025). Think this was the only real horror movie he did. I mean, I know he was in "The Swarm" (1978) but it's hard to call THE SWARM a 'horror movie', innit? I reckon it was ~meant~ to be more suspenseful and scary than it turned out. MURDER BY PHONE was the U.S. re-title. BELLS was filmed in Canada in mid-to-late 1980. BELLS was released on ASTRAL VIDEO in Canada in the mid-1980s. This is the original version of the movie running 95 minutes. ASTRAL issued it on tape in a clamshell case with insert artwork. (I've got one). MURDER BY PHONE was released on WARNER HOME VIDEO in the U.S. in the mid-80s in a version running 80 minutes. WARNER issued it on tape in a clamshell case with insert artwork. (I've one of these as well). → I don't know offhand if WARNER re-issued "Murder By Phone" in a small box after the clamshell release? I reckon Roger Corman of New World would've been the one who felt the movie would be better if it were ((tightened)) up, ergo, the shorter run time for the American version along with the different title. That's my best guess as to why the U.S. version was shorn of 15 minutes and re-titled. ------------------------------------ Of all the dreadful suspense•horror movies that have been issued on DVD and/or Blu-ray over the years it is surprising that BELLS or MURDER BY PHONE -- either version -- has not been issued legally on digital disc. I guess the movie just fell through the cracks? Maybe whoever or whatever entity owns the rights to 'BELLS' at this point doesn't care about re-issuing it. Another Thought: Is it possible the folks /or/ company who currently own the rights to BELLS don't even know it's in their holdings?

Best Blu-ray Movie Deals