The second one has a familiar feel in that the first and last 20 minutes are the most suspenseful, while the middle is less interesting. The difference, to me, is that in the sequel, the middle part may not be thrill ride, but it remains intriguing enough to keep watching. In the original, though it had the same first/last 20 minutes intense, middle boring "formula", the middle part wasn't nearly as intriguing. In fact, many complain that it's downright boring. Nonetheless, I'd rather watch either of those over the remake any day.
No, the strangers didn't call Dana Kaproff after the sequel
Just some brief info I thought I'd gather -
When a Stranger Calls (1979) - Directed by Fred Walton, written by Fred Walton and Steve Feke; music by Dana Kaproff
When a Stranger Calls Back - Directed and written by Fred Walton; music by Dana Kaproff
When a Stranger Calls (2006) - Directed by Simon West (who?), written by Jake Wade Wall (who?), music by Jim Dooley (who?) < yeah, I was on the verge of sleep in the theater
As for Look What Happened to Rosemary's Baby, I've never seen that one; only heard. Besides the score, was the film any good?
