jrd_73 The Telephone Book has developed a cult following over the years due to its pedigree (Nelson Lyon, a future writer of Saturday Night Live) and cast (William Hickey, Jill Clayburgh). However, it is still an early 70's softcore sex comedy, the type of film Something Weird Video specializes in. The plot has a young woman being so turned on by an obscene phone call that she attempts to track down the caller. This leads to encounters with all types of crazies as the woman wanders around Manhattan. For what it is, The Telephone Book shows more imagination than most of its type. The film even includes an animated section where a giant woman has sexual intercourse with a skyscraper. This section and a housewife's dirty monologue about a banana are the only laugh out loud moments in the film. The rest of the jokes only slightly amuse (at best) . One is advised to view the film with expectations set by the genre and not by its cult reputation.

udar55 Alice (Goldie Hawn look-a-like Sarah Kennedy) answers the phone in her apartment on day only to find the world's best obscene phone caller Mr. Smith (Norman Rose) on the other end. She is immediately smitten with him (after all, he is the world's best obscene phone caller) and demands to meet him. "I'm in the book," he tells her and Alice begins her quest to find THE John Smith, meeting lots of weirdos along the way. This bizarre and often hilarious avant garde comedy really took me for a wild ride. This is unlike anything before or since its release. Somewhere amongst the weirdness is commentary about oddballs, the role of sex in society and the increasing inability of people to communicate. The film is also an explosion of imagery, filmed mostly in black & white until the color ending that comes complete with a graphic cartoon. Despite such a lurid subject matter, director Nelson Lyon keeps it all in good fun. The only familiar faces for me were Dolph Sweet as one of the people making sexual confessions interspersed through out the film and a young William Hickey (he was once young!) as Alice's favorite lover - a man whose erection would never go down. Definitely one of a kind.

rwint Funny, near brilliant, underground movie about the sexual perversions of everyday people. Centers around Kennedy (who is a shoe in for a young Goldie Hawn) and her various experiences trying to find John Smith the greatest obscene phone caller she's ever heard. Problem is it's New York City, which leads her to a lot of wrong Smiths. The 'real' John Smith is played by actor Norman Rose who's deep resonate, 'newsman' voice (he's worked as a narrator on many other features) only adds to the hilarity as he explains in great detail how he came to be the 'greatest obscene phone caller of all time'. This is interspread by 'true life' confessions of former obscene phone callers that are so twisted you'll just have to laugh. Also has a wild,'far out' animated sequence that could easily fit into a Marilyn Manson video. Much more provacative than today's hardcore adult films, which tend to be very mechanical. A truly unique film viewing experience that is similar to the much herald PUTNEY SWOPE, but is more consistently funnier and imaginative. A terrific example of 'grass roots' filmmaking were the creativity and ingenuity of the director makes todays $200 million, special effects laden blockbusters look as stale as yesterday's lunch. Most amazing scene features actor Barry Morse (Lt Griggs of the old FUGITIVE TV series) having over ten naked women lay on top of him at the same time!!

lwilson Very entertaining. Girl in Manhattan receives the obscene call of her life, attempts to find him (identified as "John Smith") in the telephone book. Funny scenes as she finds the wrong John Smiths. Surprise ending when she finds the right one. Some nudity and extremely explicit but funny cartoon sequences.