/18t6Zq6aEdZAfcQXilDi2NrMNJ7.jpg
HorrorMysteryThrillerCrime

The Town That Dreaded Sundown

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

When two young lovers are savagely beaten and tortured on a back country road in Texarkana, local police are baffled and must find "the Phantom Killer" before he can kill again.

Release Date : 1976-12-24

Language :English

Adult : false

Status : Released

Production Company : American International PicturesCharles B. Pierce Film Productions

Production Country : United States of America

Alternative Titles :

Cast

Ben Johnson

Character Name : Captain J.D. Morales

Original Name : Ben Johnson

Gender : Male

Andrew Prine

Character Name : Deputy Norman Ramsey

Original Name : Andrew Prine

Gender : Male

Dawn Wells

Character Name : Helen Reed

Original Name : Dawn Wells

Gender : Female

Jimmy Clem

Character Name : Sgt. Mal Griffin

Original Name : Jimmy Clem

Gender : Male

Jim Citty

Character Name : Police Chief R.J. Sullivan

Original Name : Jim Citty

Gender : Male

Charles B. Pierce

Character Name : Patrolman A.C. Benson

Original Name : Charles B. Pierce

Gender : Male

Robert Aquino

Character Name : Sheriff Otis Barker

Original Name : Robert Aquino

Gender : Male

Cindy Butler

Character Name : Peggy Loomis

Original Name : Cindy Butler

Gender : Female

Christine Ellsworth

Character Name : Linda Mae Jenkins

Original Name : Christine Ellsworth

Gender : Male

Earl E. Smith

Character Name : Dr. Kress

Original Name : Earl E. Smith

Gender : Male

Steve Lyons

Character Name : Roy Allen

Original Name : Steve Lyons

Gender : Male

Joe Catalanotto

Character Name : Eddie LeDoux

Original Name : Joe Catalanotto

Gender : Male

Roy Lee Brown

Character Name : Rainbow Johnson

Original Name : Roy Lee Brown

Gender : Male

Mike Hackworth

Character Name : Sammy Fuller

Original Name : Mike Hackworth

Gender : Male

Misty West

Character Name : Emma Lou Cook

Original Name : Misty West

Gender : Male

Rick Hildreth

Character Name : Buddy Turner

Original Name : Rick Hildreth

Gender : Male

Jason Darnell

Character Name : Capt. Gus Wells

Original Name : Jason Darnell

Gender : Male

Bud Davis

Character Name : The Phantom Killer

Original Name : Bud Davis

Gender : Male

Vern Stierman

Character Name : Narrator (voice)

Original Name : Vern Stierman

Gender : Male

Mike Downs

Character Name :

Original Name : Mike Downs

Gender : Male

James Duff McAdams

Character Name :

Original Name : James Duff McAdams

Gender : Male

Dennis Lehane

Character Name :

Original Name : Dennis Lehane

Gender : Male

Reviews

W

Wuchak

@Wuchak

2021-06-23

_**A killer is on the loose in Texarkana in 1946**_ The Texarkana Moonlight Murders and the ensuing investigation that took place from late February to early May, 1946, are chronicled with the names changed and details altered for dramatic purposes. Ben Johnson plays a renowned Texas Ranger on the case and Andrew Prine a formidable deputy sheriff. Dawn Wells shows up in the last act. “The Town that Dreaded Sundown” (1976) is a crime docudrama that could be designated as an early slasher even though it’s based on a true story. The sack the killer wears on his head was the inspiration for the mask Jason dons in “Friday 13th: Part 2” (1981). Along with “The Legend of Boggy Creek” (1972) and “Grayeagle” (1977), this was one of B-film director Charles B. Pierce’s more notable flicks and he appears in the movie as bumbling Patrolman Benson. Speaking of which, there some curious attempts at comedy that are incongruous with the grave proceedings, which is reminiscent of the incompatible blundering cops in the original “The Last House on the Left” (1972). I liked the 1946 setting with the old cars plus the fact that this basically happened in real life and inspires you to research the true story, just don’t expect anything close to the greatness of “Bonnie and Clyde” (1967). Have mercy, the budget was $400,000. The film runs 1 hour, 30 minutes, and was shot in Texarkana on the Texas/Arkansas border, plus The Jack Williams Ranch in Garland City, Arkansas, with the train sequence done in Scott, Arkansas. GRADE: B-/C+