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.