The Town That Dreaded Sundown (1977)

Director:

Charles B. Pierce

Writer:

Earl E. Smith (writer)

Release Date:

3 February 1977 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Horror | Thriller | Mystery | Crime

Tagline:

In 1946 this man killed five people... Today he still lurks the streets of Texarkana, Ark.

Plot:

A Texas Ranger hunts for a hooded serial killer terrorizing the residents of a small town, set in 1946 Arkansas. Losely based on a true story.

Plot Keywords:

Arkansas | Serial Killer | Police | Sadism | 1940s

Cast

Ben Johnson	...	Captain J.D. Morales
Andrew Prine	...	Deputy Norman Ramsey
Dawn Wells	...	Helen Reed
Jimmy Clem	...	Sgt. Mal Griffin
Jim Citty	...	Police Chief R.J. Sullivan
Charles B. Pierce	...	Patrolman A.C. Benson
Robert Aquino	...	Sheriff Otis Barker
Cindy Butler	...	Peggy Loomis
Christine Ellsworth	...	Linda Mae Jenkins
Earl E. Smith	...	Dr. Kress (as Earl E. Smith)
Steve Lyons	...	Roy Allen
Joe Catalanotto	...	Eddie LeDoux (as Joe Catalanatto)
Roy Lee Brown	...	Rainbow Johnson
Mike Hackworth	...	Sammy Fuller
Misty West	...	Emma Lou Cook

Runtime:

90 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Australia:R | Norway:15 | Norway:18 (original rating) | Sweden:15 | UK:18 | USA:R | West Germany:18

Filming Locations:

Garland City, Arkansas, USA

Company:

Filmways Pictures

Trivia:

This movie is a semi-documentary based on the real life string of mysterious killings that terrorized the people of Texarkana Texas in 1946. The murder spree became known as the "Texarkana Moonlight Murders" and ultimately would claim five lives and injure many others, the only description of the killer ever obtained was of a hooded man. To this day no one has been convicted and these murders remain unsolved.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: When the cop grabs the suspect "Eddie LuDoux" by his belt and pulls him over to the police car, the cameraman's shadow is seen on them as they walk across the frame

Quotes:

Rainbow Johnson: That's him! That's him! Mister, you owe me a dollar for driving you today! And ten dollers for taking ya to Lefkin!
Eddie LeDoux: [to the cops] What's the matter with that donkey? He crazy? Get him outta here!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The Wild Man of the Navidad (2008)

Terrific film shamefully ignored over the years!

"The town…" is an early triumph in the serial-killer section of the horror genre, handling about a small American town terrorized by a masked murderer shortly after the end of World War II. Actually based on true events, the maniac picks out his victims on Lovers Lanes and shoots them without mercy. This important low-budget production, from the hands of the legendary producer Samuel Z. Arkoff, completely depends on unsettling atmosphere and the icky sound editing. The isolated location of a town of the edge of Texas and Arkansas has something raw, primitive and terrifying. This aspect is stressed extra by the grim voice-over that repeatedly informs us about the facts. Although you never get to know much about the killer's identity or personality, it's one of the most fascinating madmen in film history. His heavy breathing and primitive mask (similar to the one Jason Vorhees wore in F13 part 2) make him look truly chilling and mysterious. What's also great about this movie is that it features so many tricks and familiar sub-plots, only they were used here of the first time! Profiling of the killer, copycat behavior etc… All this makes "The Town that Dreaded Sundown" a vastly underrated and film and more horror fans should reckon its brilliance. Too bad it's so hard to obtain a decent copy of it. I spent years looking for this film before finally seeing it in poor picture quality. The only few flaws to detect is the lousy and typical redneck humor that director Charles B. Pierce inserts in order to lighten the demanding tone of the film. The same mistake also almost ruined Wes Craven's "Last House on the Left".