Blu-Ray Review: The Telephone Book

By Brad Henderson

Back in the 1970s, films with gratuitous nudity were usually rated X during their initial release. Now, these types of films will, at most, be rated NC-17, but we don’t see that rating much these days. Vinegar Syndrome releases many films of this nature with an X rating but that doesn’t mean they’re hardcore pornography. Sure, Vinegar Syndrome does release some vintage hardcore features but they also dabble in the non-hardcore stuff as well. That is where The Telephone Book comes in.

The Telephone Book is an X-rated comedy from 1971 that was way before its time. Of course, the film is loaded with sexytimes and nudity . . . lots of nudity. That’s why it’s X-rated. I will admit these types of movies don’t appeal to me right away but since it’s Vinegar Syndrome, I am interested because their catalogue has been most impressive. I wasn’t sure what I was getting into with The Telephone Book but I sat there with a smile on my face through almost the entire film. At first I didn’t get it, but after the first 20 minutes I was hooked and realized that I was watching a comedic love story.

The Telephone Book is about Alice, who receives an “obscene” call from a man named John Smith, who turns out to be the best obscene phone caller of all time. Alice is dying to meet him. (I know, it sounds weird but just bear with me.) Alice falls somewhat in love with this obscene phone caller; he’s the only thing she can think about. He explains to her that he’s in the telephone book and it’s up to her to find him. He only gives her his name and his location: Manhattan. The problem is that there are countless people named John Smith, but nothing will stop Alice from finding the man of her dreams.

Now I don’t expect that plot will appeal to everyone, but the movie has so much charm for such a simple and silly plot. It’s hard to believe The Telephone Book even existed in ’71. The filmmakers wanted to make something different and they succeeded.

Sarah Kennedy plays the lead and she is so bubbly and cute, she makes every second she is on screen a complete joy. I’m stoked that Vinegar Syndrome released this and I hope it gets noticed like it should and develops an audience in due time. I’m not sure Vinegar Syndrome has released anything sub par yet and I don’t think it is possible for them to do so. This company has great taste and I’m excited to see what they have in store for us in the future.

The Telephone Book was released on Blu-Ray from Vinegar Syndrome on May 7, 2013.