# Movies and Cell-Phones (not what you think) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 12, 2002, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-and-cell-phones-not-what-you-think/128103 "2002-09-12T13:08:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Legomancer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/779978/32.png) [@Legomancer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Legomancer)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2002, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-and-cell-phones-not-what-you-think/128103/1 "2002-09-12T13:08:47Z")
This may be revisiting a topic, but for some reason the other day I was trying to think of movies that would have been substantially different if the characters had cell phones. For example, an obvious choice is “The Rocky Horror Picture Show”. With a cell phone, Brad calls a tow truck and they never go to the castle to use the phone. Movie is ten minutes long. Can you think of others? ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2002, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-and-cell-phones-not-what-you-think/128103/2 "2002-09-12T14:06:19Z")
I was thinking about that the other night while watching the Baz Luhrman _Romeo and Juliet_. Romeo goes into exile. The monk gives Juliet a poison that puts her in a temporary coma. He gives Romeo a buzz on his cell phone. Everyone lives hapilly every after. On a similar principle, think how it would’ve changed Errol Flynn’s _Robin Hood_. All the merry men, chatting with one another up in the trees… And when I was watching the early seasons of _Buffy_, there were several times where the characters really, really needed their cell phones. Angel: A-ha-ha-ha-ha! I have lured you out here to fight me yet again so that my friends can kill your friends! A-ha-ha-ha-ha! Buffy: Dammit! (hits speed dial) Giles, get everyone into a locked classroom! Angel: Dammit! Daniel ---
**Author:** ![stofsky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dfb087/32.png) [@stofsky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stofsky)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2002, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-and-cell-phones-not-what-you-think/128103/3 "2002-09-12T18:35:25Z")
_Waiting for Godot_ _Ring, ring_ Hey, WHAAAAAZZZZUUUUUP?!?!?!?! So, I’m like here, like waiting for you, and I’m all, “Where the hell’s Godot?” so I’m like all dialing my pho… phone noise You’re what? Don’t yank my chain! phone noise No way! I told you that dude was, like, a narc. phone noise No, I can’t bail you out. I gotta go score myself. phone noise Later. _click_ ---
**Author:** ![7string](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/7/8baadc/32.png) [@7string](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/7string)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2002, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-and-cell-phones-not-what-you-think/128103/4 "2002-09-12T19:57:25Z")
This is sort of off the subject, but it deals with phones in movies. Have you ever noticed that when someone gets disconnected on a land-line in a movie the line goes quiet, but when they get disconnected on a cell phone they get dial-tone? That’s just the opposite of real-life. It’s really strange for me since telecom is what I do for a living. ---
**Author:** ![xizor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xizor/32/102_2.png) [@xizor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xizor)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2002, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-and-cell-phones-not-what-you-think/128103/5 "2002-09-12T20:53:33Z")
As for the opposite, the **X-files** would have lasted only one or two episodes in the days before cell phones. ---
**Author:** ![Monstre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e274bd/32.png) [@Monstre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monstre)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2002, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-and-cell-phones-not-what-you-think/128103/6 "2002-09-12T21:42:52Z")
_Last of the Mohicans_ :::ring ring::: “Hello? Colonel Munro? Um, yes, Duncan here. Listen, just wanted to check in with you. Cora and Alice are here with me in Albany. We’re getting ready to head out to the fort… What? You’re beseiged? Stay away? Okay, I’ll cancel the trip and see if I can round you up some reinforcements. Oh wait, I think Magua wants to say Hi… What? He was supposed to deliver a letter? No, he didn’t – he must be a traitor…” ::::WHACK:::: (kills Magua) “Okay, bye sir. Hail to the king, screw the colonials, and all that…” Alice lives. Uncas lives. Reinforcements go and give the French a good ass-whoopin’. The end. ---
**Author:** ![Fionn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a587f6/32.png) [@Fionn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fionn)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2002, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-and-cell-phones-not-what-you-think/128103/7 "2002-09-12T21:45:06Z")
The Blair Witch Project might have ended differently if they’d been able to call for help. Since the threat in that movie was supernatural, who knows? ---
**Author:** ![Scarlett67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scarlett67/32/7387_2.png) [@Scarlett67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarlett67)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2002, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-and-cell-phones-not-what-you-think/128103/8 "2002-09-12T23:14:48Z")
_Die Hard_ and _Die Harder._ ---
**Author:** ![Crusoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/49beb7/32.png) [@Crusoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crusoe)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2002, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-and-cell-phones-not-what-you-think/128103/9 "2002-09-12T23:18:19Z")
_Alive_: “Uh, hello? Could you send someone as we seem to have crashed and everyone’s getting a tad peckish…” _ET_: “Phone … home …” “Oh, okay, here you go, just give 'em a bell no my moby.” _Castaway_: 'nuff said. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2002, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-and-cell-phones-not-what-you-think/128103/10 "2002-09-13T00:21:03Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by stofsky \* > \*\* > So, I’m like here, like waiting for you, and I’m all, “Where the hell’s Godot?” so I’m like all dialing my pho… > \*\* Thank you for this - I needed a good laugh this evening!!! :D:D:D:D ---
**Author:** ![stofsky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dfb087/32.png) [@stofsky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stofsky)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2002, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-and-cell-phones-not-what-you-think/128103/11 "2002-09-13T00:49:05Z")
**FCM** , you’re welcome. It’s nice to get recognized. ---
**Author:** ![sdimbert](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sdimbert/32/20204_2.png) [@sdimbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sdimbert)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2002, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-and-cell-phones-not-what-you-think/128103/12 "2002-09-13T04:54:32Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by xizor \* > \*\*As for the opposite, the **X-files** would have lasted only one or two episodes in the days before cell phones. \*\* Ever see that episode that takes place back n the late 70’s, where Mulder and the Lone Gunmen meet up (for the first time, I believe) at the Defense Contractor’s convention in Vegas? Mulder pulls a “call phone” out of his pocket at one point that is the size of a cinder block. It was a nice bit. Also, how come Mulder’s cell phone works when he’s inside a boxcar full of aliens, buried beneath the desert floor in New Mexico. Mine loses service when I pass the freaking Sprint WorldWide Headquarters!!! :mad: :mad: :mad: ---
**Author:** ![stofsky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dfb087/32.png) [@stofsky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stofsky)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2002, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-and-cell-phones-not-what-you-think/128103/13 "2002-09-13T17:11:31Z")
_Key Largo_ Hello, Sheriff? Yeah, it’s Steve. Yeah, I’m whistling. Look, that mobster from the Bugs Bunny cartoons is here. Ya want to come get him before the hurricane hits? I’ll call you back after I’m done boffing Bacall. _Road Runner_ Please hold for the first available representative. (30 minutes passes) Yeah, um, Acme, these rocket skates won’t igniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii… ---
**Author:** ![Don\_Draper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b2d939/32.png) [@Don\_Draper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_Draper)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2002, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-and-cell-phones-not-what-you-think/128103/14 "2002-09-13T18:25:57Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by DanielWithrow \* > \*\* > > And when I was watching the early seasons of _Buffy_, there were several times where the characters really, really needed their cell phones. > > Angel: A-ha-ha-ha-ha! I have lured you out here to fight me yet again so that my friends can kill your friends! A-ha-ha-ha-ha! > Buffy: Dammit! (hits speed dial) Giles, get everyone into a locked classroom! > Angel: Dammit! > > Daniel \*\* This recalls a first season episode of “Angel;” Gunn (still with his vamp-hunting posse and not a series regular at the time) traps Angel in a vault, and then heads off to what is certainly a death trap. Angel is furiously beating on the door in an effort to get out. Finally, he’s rescued by Wes & Cordelia. Angel: Thanks guys! I didn’t think I’d ever get out of there! Cordelia: Why didn’t you just call us on the cell phone I gave you? Angel: (mortified look) Oh, er, ah, I couldn’t get reception… Cordelia: (exasperated look) You forgot about it, didn’t you? ---
**Author:** ![Don\_Draper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b2d939/32.png) [@Don\_Draper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_Draper)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2002, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-and-cell-phones-not-what-you-think/128103/15 "2002-09-13T18:31:51Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by DanielWithrow \* > \*\* > > And when I was watching the early seasons of _Buffy_, there were several times where the characters really, really needed their cell phones. > > Angel: A-ha-ha-ha-ha! I have lured you out here to fight me yet again so that my friends can kill your friends! A-ha-ha-ha-ha! > Buffy: Dammit! (hits speed dial) Giles, get everyone into a locked classroom! > Angel: Dammit! > > Daniel \*\* This recalls a first season episode of “Angel;” Gunn (still with his vamp-hunting posse and not a series regular at the time) traps Angel in a vault, and then heads off to what is certainly a death trap. Angel is furiously beating on the door in an effort to get out. Finally, he’s rescued by Wes & Cordelia. Angel: Thanks guys! I didn’t think I’d ever get out of there! Cordelia: Why didn’t you just call us on the cell phone I gave you? Angel: (mortified look) Oh, er, ah, I couldn’t get reception… Cordelia: (exasperated look) You forgot about it, didn’t you? ---
**Author:** ![El\_Elvis\_Rojo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/898d66/32.png) [@El\_Elvis\_Rojo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Elvis_Rojo)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2002, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-and-cell-phones-not-what-you-think/128103/16 "2002-09-13T19:56:47Z")
**The Stand** Hello, police? My husband’s gone psycho, smashed the phone, and is trying to kill my kid and I. You mind sending someone up here to give us a hand?" Of course, the problem is, are there any towers up there for the damned thing to work? ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Cheatem\_Undhow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/13edae/32.png) [@Dewey\_Cheatem\_Undhow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Cheatem_Undhow)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2002, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-and-cell-phones-not-what-you-think/128103/17 "2002-09-13T20:42:51Z")
El Elvis: Don’t you mean _The Shining_? ---
**Author:** ![RadioWave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/91b2a8/32.png) [@RadioWave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RadioWave)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2002, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-and-cell-phones-not-what-you-think/128103/18 "2002-09-13T20:45:58Z")
Very clever, **Elvis** but I can see through your attempt at disguising the movie. I bet you’re really talking about **The Shining**. * * * **Saving Private Ryan** (The short version). (ring… ring… ri) “Hello?” “Hi, John? Hey, do you remember your brothers…” ---
**Author:** ![mobo85](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@mobo85](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mobo85)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2002, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-and-cell-phones-not-what-you-think/128103/19 "2002-09-13T20:56:58Z")
What about other non-movie situations where cell phones would have come in handy? Just imagine the back of the Delaware quarter having Caesar Rodney talking on the phone instead of riding a horse. Brinng…brinng… Philadelphia VoteLine™. Yeah, it’s Caesar. I hear you have a tie about Delaware’s independence. I vote yes. Thank you. (hangs up). WE’RE FREE! (I don’t know why, but the idea of a coin with a colonial guy on the phone on it strikes me funny.) ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2002, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-and-cell-phones-not-what-you-think/128103/20 "2002-09-13T21:36:07Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Art Vandelay, Architect \* > \*\* > > This recalls a first season episode of “Angel”…\*\* _Angel_ has done a great job with incorporating cell phones, I think. They’ve been the center of dramatic tension a lot. Daniel [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-and-cell-phones-not-what-you-think/128103.md?page=2)