THE TOWN THAT DREADED SUNDOWN (1976)
Directed by Charles B. Pierce
Starring Ben Johnson, Andrew Prine and Dawn Wells
An American International Pictures Release
MPAA Theatrical Rating: R
Charles B. Pierce hit his stride on this one, a docudrama of The Texas Moonlight Murders that tormented the town of Texarkana for a short period in 1946. Undeniably creepy, chock full of local color and technically proficient with excellent use of Panavision widescreen, TOWN retells the murders with visual class and somewhat decent taste (not counting the trombone scene). Anchored by the fine pairing of Johnson as Texas Ranger Morales and Prine as local Sheriff Deputy Ramsey, TOWN only suffers due to pacing; it's mid 70's shuffle slows the story but that's due to how we expect a film to play in the 21st century. Essential for any serial killer cinema enthusiast. With Jimmy Clem, the film's writer Earl E. Smith as a doctor and director Pierce as a bumbling cop named Spark Plug.
The 35mm print shown at the Alamo Drafthouse in Austin, May of 2013, looked brand new; nary a speck of damage and beautiful color. A Blu-Ray from Shout Factory is released on May 21st, 2013. The inevitable remake is underway with Veronica Cartwright and Gary Cole.
More on the actual murders here.
-EH
No comments:
Post a Comment