The Legend of Hillbilly John (1974)

A wandering ballad singer in the Appalachians meets an ugly bird-type creature, is transported back in time, finds himself involved in the Devil's work.

Director:

John Newland

Writers:

Melvin Levy, Manly Wade Wellman (book)

Stars:

Hedges Capers, Severn Darden, Susan Strasberg

Cast

Credited cast:
Hedges Capers	...	John
Severn Darden	...	Mr. Marduke
Susan Strasberg	...	Polly Wiltse
Percy Rodrigues	...	Capt. Lojoie H. Desplain IV
Denver Pyle	...	Grandpappy John
R.G. Armstrong	...	Bristowe
Harris Yulin	...	Zebulon Yandro
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Val Avery	...	Cobart
Sidney Clute	...	Charles
Sharon Henesy	...	Lily
Honor Hound	...	Himself
Chester Jones	...	Uncle Anansi
Alfred Ryder	...	O. J. Onselm
William Traylor	...	Reverend Millen
White Lightnin'	...	Themselves

Storyline

A wandering ballad singer in the Appalachians meets an ugly bird-type creature, is transported back in time, finds himself involved in the Devil's work.

---

Plot Keywords:

singer | time travel | hillbilly | based on book | independent film | 

---

Taglines:

mountain folk swear it's true

---

Genres:

Drama | Fantasy

---

Certificate:

G

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

February 1974 (USA)

Also Known As:

Ballad of Hillbilly John

Filming Locations:

North Carolina, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Two's Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

89 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Referenced in My Best Friend's Birthday (1987)

User Reviews

Very entertaining supernatural film

It wasn't till quite some time after seeing this movie that I read any of Wellman's stories, but this movie is pretty faithful to them, at least the ones I know (though I don't know if any of the Silver John stories have "Mr. Marduk" or not). I don't know if I know Hedges Capers or the leading actress from anything else, but they were fine in it, and along with them, it's full of great character actors (though I don't think that's the right term for Susan Strasberg) - Denver Pyle, R. G. Armstrong, Severn Darden, Harris Yulin (who, apart from Darden, might have had the best part, and who really seemed to enjoy playing it). Even the political stuff, like the very end (which I won't give away) doesn't seem too forced. That ending could apply to ANY time (certainly including right now), and it would be a shame for people to think of it ENTIRELY as some NIXON JOKE (though I suppose it probably IS thought of as only that). In spite of the listing, I'm certain this movie is from 1972-73.