Austin Willis, an actor known for his role in the 1970 cult film Dr. Frankenstein on Campus, brings a distinct charm to the screen. In this offbeat narrative, he navigates the absurdities of campus life while encountering the bizarre consequences of scientific experimentation. Willis's performance adds a layer of humor and intrigue, embodying the eccentric spirit of the era's grindhouse cinema. His work in this film contributes to the ongoing conversation about the playful intersections of horror and comedy in cult cinema.
Dr. Frankenstein on Campus
Young scientist Viktor Frankenstein is dismissed from his position in a Transylvanian university and accepts an offer to continue his research in Canada. He attracts student reporter Susan Harris, who discards her boyfriend Tony to live with Frankenstein. Professor Preston, in charge of the university's computer, encourages Frankenstein to perfect an electronic system which can manipulate brain waves. Scorned by radical leader David, Frankenstein loses his job after David and three other students frame him for possession of marijuana. Seeking revenge, Frankenstein injects brain control pellets into Tony, a karate expert, and directs him to kill all those responsible for his being fired, including Dean Cantwell. Susan, who knows too much, is nearly strangled to death in a museum, but a young boy knocks the remote control box from Frankenstein. Chased by angry students, Frankenstein plunges over a bannister to his death and is revealed to have been the creation of Professor Preston. Viktor Frankenstein, expelled from Ingoldstat U for doing weird experiments and for acting a bit looney, goes to college in Canada to study brain control under Prof. Preston. Campus radicals frame Viktor (photographed holding a joint) in an attempt to discredit both Preston and the Dean and Viktor is once again expelled. Vik injects Tae Kwan Do expert Tony with his new brain control pellets and soon Tony becomes an instrument of revenge, beating radicals to death, drowning the photographer in a developing tray, and karate-chopping a reporter in the throat to name a few. But why won't Viktor remove his clothes when doing his often naked girlfriend and who is the "real Frankenstein"? Robin Ward, Kathleen Sawyer, Austin Willis, Sean Sullivan, Ty Haller. We’ve never seen a movie quite like Dr. Frankenstein on Campus. It’s a true grindhouse/drive-in meisterwerk containing the most lovable elements of ‘70s horror & rebellious youth schlock. Ward plays Viktor Frankenstein, a Frankenstein descendent who’s attending college in the U.S. With encouragement from his professor, Viktor develops a wireless brain control device. After he’s thrown out of school by the college dean, he decides to use his device to gain revenge on those who have wronged him. He turns one of his college pals into a murdering mindless slave, who trudges about campus, murdering Viktor’s enemies. The dog and cat fight scene—with Viktor using his brain device to direct the animals into a fatal fight—is absolutely priceless. Watch for the “computer protest” scene, with college kids protesting the end of society as we know it because of the advent of the computer age. How poignant that is! Sawyer is beautiful in all her topless beauty. A ‘horrifying’ twist ending. Schlock doesn’t get much better than this. You’ll love it.
