Guest Reviewer Lee Broughton is back, with a rodent roundup of horror, or more accurately, psychological suspense interrupted by a few salacious slayings. What would Mickey say?
The brief synopses of Daniel Mann’s Willard and Phil Karlson’s Ben that appeared in the horror movie books and magazines that kids in the UK loved to pore over during the late 1970s always gave the impression that this pair of killer rat films were hardcore horror shows.
In truth, the actual horror content of both films is relatively mild and infrequent. In spite of this, Willard and Ben still tend to be discussed in terms of their relation to the often more extreme movies that appeared in the “animals attack” cycle of horror films that flourished during the 1970s.
That particular subgenre represents something of a niche interest area that is governed by a pretty tight set of boundaries. The...
The brief synopses of Daniel Mann’s Willard and Phil Karlson’s Ben that appeared in the horror movie books and magazines that kids in the UK loved to pore over during the late 1970s always gave the impression that this pair of killer rat films were hardcore horror shows.
In truth, the actual horror content of both films is relatively mild and infrequent. In spite of this, Willard and Ben still tend to be discussed in terms of their relation to the often more extreme movies that appeared in the “animals attack” cycle of horror films that flourished during the 1970s.
That particular subgenre represents something of a niche interest area that is governed by a pretty tight set of boundaries. The...
- 11/11/2017
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Here's another installment featuring Joe Dante's reviews from his stint as a critic for Film Bulletin circa 1969-1974. Our thanks to Video Watchdog and Tim Lucas for his editorial embellishments! Currently tearing up ballyhoo market boxoffice records, this generally ordinary horror film has a potent selling gimmick in its rat heavies. A big grosser for the broad range of markets thanks to unusually powerful promotion campaign. Rating: Gp.
Willard, the tender story of a boy and his killer rats, is already the surprise hit of the season, thanks largely to a shrewd ballyhoo campaign devised by the showmen at Cinerama releasing which makes the Bcp Production a virtually irresistible attraction for a broad range of thrill fans. Far better horror films have come and gone in recent years, but without Willard's main distinction‑its rat gimmick, which is bringing out the monster fans, the kids and anyone else...
Willard, the tender story of a boy and his killer rats, is already the surprise hit of the season, thanks largely to a shrewd ballyhoo campaign devised by the showmen at Cinerama releasing which makes the Bcp Production a virtually irresistible attraction for a broad range of thrill fans. Far better horror films have come and gone in recent years, but without Willard's main distinction‑its rat gimmick, which is bringing out the monster fans, the kids and anyone else...
- 5/27/2014
- by Joe Dante
- Trailers from Hell
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