I Love Movies

Has anyone seen the 1971 dark comedy called “Willard”?” The second movie came out in 1972 and it was called “Ben”. Both movies are about an awkward young man who is constantly being bullied. So he decides to train his pet rats to get back at the people who are mean to him. The biggest rat (named Ben) leads the other rats on a murderous rampage. Both movies are surprisingly good. Ernest Borgnine plays the cruel boss and he is excellent. However, the best part is the song at the end credits called “Ben”. It is a song sung by a twelve year old Michael Jackson and it hit number one on the music charts. Does anyone else know a song from a horror film that became a hit on the radio?

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SW-User

I saw that movie years ago and it forever stayed in my memory as a creepy and a reality I never wanted to know.

CanarysCry · 46-50, F

For some reason a lot of people think Michael Jackson wrote the song about his pet mouse that his dad killed as punishment. This is absolutely not true. Michael Jackson didn’t write the song. He just sang it for the movie. It’s rediculous how made up stories get spread on the web. An easy Google search totally debunks it.

bijouxbroussard · F

@CanarysCry It was written by Don Black and composed by Walter Scharf. It was also originally written for Donny Osmond and offered to Michael Jackson because Osmond was on tour. No doubts, though, that Jackson made it a hit.

CanarysCry · 46-50, F

That makes sense that it was offered to Donny Osmond. I am sure he would have done a great job. But Michael Jackson made it a hit.

Jackaloftheazuresand · 26-30, M

I watched that this year actually

robotmonster · 56-60, M

Willard and Ben. That's a blast from the past, My dad would let me stay up late to watch the old horror movies. (still think the Haunting 1963 is the scariest movie I've seen.)
What do you think of the 2003 remake of Willard

CanarysCry · 46-50, F

@robotmonster That’s the one Crispin Glover plays Willard. I haven’t seen it yet. Crispin is am amazing actor. He is very good at playing the creepy guy. I read that the director said it wasn’t a remake it was an “Adaptation”.

4thdimensiondream · 61-69, M

Halloween theme maybe? Tubular Bells from The Exorcist.

bijouxbroussard · F

Yes, I saw Willard back in the day. Ernest Borgnine was in that movie, as I recall.

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