The Town That Dreaded Sundown – 1977
In 1946 this man killed five people… Today he still lurks the streets of Texarkana, Ark.
Director
Charles B. Pierce

Writer
Earl E. Smith

Producers
Samuel Z. Arkoff executive producer
Thomas W. Moore associate producer (as Tom Moore)
Charles B. Pierce producer

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
Rick Hildreth – Buddy Turner
Jason Darnell – Capt. Gus Wells
Mike Downs – Newspaper Reporter
Bill Dietz – Newspaper Reporter
Carolyn Moreland – Newspaper Reporter
Michael Brown – Police Officer
Woody Woodman – F.B.I. Agent
James Duff McAdams – Sheriff’s Deputy (as James D. McAdams)
John Stroud – Dr. Preston Hickson
Mason Andres – Rev. Harden
Richard Green – High School Principal
Dorothy Darlene Orr – Dispatcher
Don Adkins – Suspect
Bud Davis – The Phantom Killer
Vern Stierman – Narrator (voice)
Dennis Lehane – Texas Ranger
Review by Sven Soetemans

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”.

The Town That Dreaded Sundown (1976)

Review by Wayne Malin

So-so,
In 1946 Texarkana AR, a hooded killer attacked and killed people for no reason. This is a movie about it.

The movie follows his killings and the hunt for him. But, in the end, he was never caught. The movie suggests he’s still walking around down there.

The film is obviously low-budget and it shows. Also stars Ben Johnson and Andrew Prine are given nothing to work with. And the film is full of unnceessary (and unfunny) comic relief. But the movie does get better as it moves along and the attack scenes are violent, bloody and effective (especially one involving a trombone).

A bit hit in its day, but not really that good. Followed by “The School That Couldn’t Scream”.