Customer Reviews

Monster on the Campus [VHS]

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

There is nothing special about this movie.It has your by the numbers 50's horror script and the make-up effects are only slighty better than a complete disaster.But I still enjoyed this picture for two reasons in particular:

One being the performance of the lead,Arthur Franz.This guy was stuck with some poor dialogue and a script full of plot holes but he delivers his lines with such conviction that its much easier to forgive the films faux pas'.

My other reason is the direction of Jack Arnold.MOTC is the sixth film I've purchased from this director and there is not one in the bunch that I dont recommend.Jack always manages to squeeze every last bit of entertainment value out of the movies he works on.He hasnt always had the best material to work from but they're always fun.He has a way of capturing images that stick in your head long after the picture is over.

As for the rest of the movie,the cast is good except for Troy Donahue who plays a very minor role anyway.And the script moves at a brisk pace and chooses excitement over logic which suited me just fine.

Once in a while a movie succeeds despite its flaws(see my review of Earth Vs The Flying Saucers).This is one such picture.This movie will make you chuckle rather than groan and you wont be looking at the clock to see if its almost over.Its by no means a classic by for 10 bucks its a worthy purchase.

In case your wondering,the other Jack Arnold movies that I recommend seeing are:The Incredible Shrinking Man,Creature From The Black Lagoon,Revenge Of The Creature,Tarantula,and It Came From Outer Space.

For my money this is one of the if not the best monster movies ever made. You got the best transformation from human to creature that will rival LON Chaney JR.s Wolfman. This movie was one I had not seen in over two decades. I can remember this movie from when I was very little, back when parents were not afraid to let kids watch scary movies like this with the giant dragon fly and the monster itself. Great film all the way through,good story line fine camara work and good acting. I recomend this film to anybody who likes this type of movie. To end this review all I have say is PLEASE PUT IT OUT ON DVD!

Sometimes you're just in the mood for one of those old black and white 50s sci-fi classics, so corny and low-budget, and yet, oh, so satisfying. "Monster on Campus" stars handsome Arthur Franz as anthropology Professor Blake, who has just received a rare species of fish unchanged since prehistoric times. First, a dog (owned by student Troy Donahue) comes in contact with the fish's blood, and becomes a snarling prehistoric wolf. Next, a tiny dragonfly drinks some fish blood and becomes as big as a model plane. And then, Professor Blake is exposed to the blood and, well, you can only guess at the unmitigated horror!

This movie was directed by Jack Arnold and continues in the tradition of some of his other films, such as "Creature from the Black Lagoon" - the script is beyond corny but the acting is so sincere you go along with it. Arthur Franz was the perfect nice-guy who is dedicated to scientific research even at the risk of his own life. Joanna Moore plays his nubile love interest and later, helpless victim of the Monster. Troy Donahue is wooden and forgettable in a small part just a year before his breakout role in "A Summer Place." This is definitely one of those campy "so bad they're good" movies, just right for some cheesy fun.

Definitely lack-luster if you're comparing this film to Jack Arnold's best genre films, but this one still has its charms. Biggest problem might be the rubbery mask/make-up, poiting up one of the few, and I mean FEW, advantages today's films have over yesteryear's. Still, not without its moments of tension. Might I make a suggestion? Watch this film as a double feature with Altered States, the Ken Russell film starring William Hurt & Blair Brown. Both film share the same basic story, though with vastly different details. Still, same story in both. College professor brainiac vanguard at the outer edge of scientific research plays with dangerous, mysterious substances and ends up devolving himself, Jekyl/Hyde style, learning an important lesson in the process, or something like that.

For starters, let me say that I first saw this movie when I was a teenager way back in 1972 on the late-night "Creature Feature." Once again, the movie was good, but since they showed it on TV they cut out many parts. And now almost 30 years later-and thanks to the invention of the VCR I am able to see this movie again and again not only because the acting and the special effects are superb, but because it brings back many pleasant memories of my teenage years. And as far as the movie is concerned, the best parts are at the beginning of same when the professor is accidentally bitten by the prehistoric fish and turns into a monster. And the other one is when the giant dragonfly knocks on the window and is later caught and killed by the professor.

I saw this movie in the seventies when i was a kid. I loved it. Classic 50's horror movie. It is creepy, (in particular the cabin scene) scary, and even with the out dated special effects, it is downright cool. Great popcorn movie on a boring Friday night. This is just basic horror/sci fi stuff, but for some reason it has always stuck in my mind. That makes it a keeper in my book.

I Love this movie. It's nothing special but it came from Universal which means it's a cut above AIP and nicely photographed. It's really all about atmosphere and it has a nostalgic 50's look about it. I can't add much to what others have written except to say that Leading Lady Joanna Moore is the mother of Ryan and Tatum O'Neill. You seldom get to see her in a major role. My favorite scene is when Miss Moore runs her 1958 Desoto Fireflite convertible off the road to avoid the rampaging caveman. Thrilling stuff for a teenager in 1959! By the way, Molly Riordan's car is a 1958 Plymouth Belvedere convertible. Just thought some of you misght be curious.

Intresting successor to THE CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON fron the same director Jack Arnold. Good make-up effects by Bud Westmore but a dumb plot that won't keep you interested for a minute. See the CREATURE trilogy and IT CAME FROM OUTER SPACE first.

Loved this one. Wanted a 4 1/2. It may not be a five star review, that is reserved for true classics. Still, this one delivers on all counts. Under rated Arthur Franz plays it good in this one. Supporting cast, except for his beautiful fiancee' and her father, are pretty much filler. The "special" effects are hokey and thats what makes it loveable. Its hard to think of actors being convincing about plastic fish and bugs [not mention the obvious rubber mask] but these are pluses. Jack Arnold is a master of more for less. Could have been a downer, but makes up for it with a fun story that is played by an earnest lead and allows the issues to be forgotten. Too bad a story like this couldnt be more contemporary. There are no real "messages" to preach about. Just non-stop entertainment.

I remembered this film from when I was a kid in the 60's. To see it again for the first time in about 40 years was a real treat. It took me about 4 nights to watch it as my attention span is now of the 21st Century variety.

You can't take these movies seriously. The plot is still just silly.
A college professor turns into a prehistoric man after accidently injesting the blood of a huge prehistoric carp.

The actors all pretty good considering the time and subject matter. I was glad to notice Troy Donahue in an early part. They skimped on the transformation of Aurthur Franz turning into the caveman. Not quite up to Universal Studios of the 1940's and Wolfman.

Still since it was probably made for Drive-In teenage audiences of 1959, It's still a fun movie. A guilty pleasure. Fun for all.