Willard (1971)

A social misfit uses his only friends, his pet rats, to exact revenge on his tormentors.

Director:

Daniel Mann

Writers:

Gilbert Ralston (screenplay) (as Gilbert A. Ralston), Stephen Gilbert (novel)

Stars:

Bruce Davison, Elsa Lanchester, Sondra Locke

2 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Bruce Davison	...	Willard Stiles
Sondra Locke	...	Joan
Elsa Lanchester	...	Henrietta Stiles
Michael Dante	...	Brandt
Jody Gilbert	...	Charlotte Stassen
William Hansen	...	Barskin
John Myhers	...	Carlson
J. Pat O'Malley	...	Jonathan Farley
Joan Shawlee	...	Alice
Almira Sessions	...	Carrie Smith
Pauline Drake	...	Ida Stassen
Helen Spring	...	Mrs. Becker
Alan Baxter	...	Spencer
Sherry Presnell	...	Mrs. Spencer
Ernest Borgnine	...	Martin

Storyline

A social misfit, Willard is made fun of by his co-workers, and squeezed out of the company started by his deceased father by his boss. His only friends are a couple of rats he raised at home, Ben and Socrates. (And their increasing number of friends) However, when one of them is killed at work, he goes on a rampage using his rats to attack those who have been tormenting him.

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Plot Keywords:

character name as title | rat | violence | blood | death | 

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Taglines:

Ben will do anything for Willard...ANYTHING.

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Genres:

Horror | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

GP

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

30 July 1971 (USA)

Also Known As:

Ratman's Notebooks

Filming Locations:

Higgins-Verbeck-Hirsch Mansion - 637 South Lucerne Boulevard, Windsor Square, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Gross USA:

$19,216,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

Bing Crosby Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This went into production as "Ratman's Notebooks", the title of the novel on which it is based.

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Goofs

When Joan gives Willard the cat Chloe as a pet, she tells him that female cats are good company. Chloe was played by a male.

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Quotes

Willard Stiles: Tear him up!

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Connections

Featured in Stephen King's World of Horror (1989)

User Reviews

great concept

Willard Stiles (Bruce Davison) is an introvert. His mother is bedridden. Her friends throw him a surprise birthday party and berate him for losing his father's business to Al Martin (Ernest Borgnine) who hired Joan (Sondra Locke) to take over his work. He has no friends but finds friendship with the rats in the backyard. Soon, his friends are multitudes willing to do his bidding.

The idea is there but this is shot in a flat, uninspired manner. The actors are either first rate or on their way. Borgnine is gloriously evil. Davison is a little green around the edges. This should be a lot more compelling. There should be more tension. It's got some creepiness but I would like more.