...
| The Town That Dreaded Sundown | |
|---|---|
| Budget | $400,000 |
| Box office | $5 million |
Who is the killer in town that dreaded sundown?
The Phantom Killer, also known as The Phantom, is the main antagonist of the 1976 crime/slasher film The Town That Dreaded Sundown, and the overarching antagonist of its 2014 meta sequel of the same name.
Is the town that dreaded Sundown based on a true story?
The Town That Dreaded Sundown is a 1976 American thriller horror film [4] [5] directed and produced by Charles B. Pierce, and written by Earl E. Smith. The film is loosely based on the 1946 Texarkana Moonlight Murders, crimes attributed to an unidentified serial killer known as the Phantom Killer.
Who is “the Phantom Killer”?
The name “the Phantom Killer” was literally invented by the media. The Texarkana Gazette started using the name after the double murder of Betty Jo Booker and Paul Martin.
Who is the Phantom Killer on the Lone Lone Ranger?
Based on the real life Texarkana moonlight murders of 1946, the Phantom Killer is a deranged serial killer primarily stalking various lovers' lanes and murdering its occupants, as well as terrorizing residents of the town of Arkansas. He was portrayed by Bud Davis.
See more
Who was most likely the phantom killer?
Youell SwinneyThe prime suspect, however — and the one many experts on the case believe likely committed the murders — was Youell Swinney. Swinney was a career criminal and a car thief, and tied to Texarkana when a rookie Arkansas state trooper named Max Tackett noticed that each murder coincided with a new car theft in the area.
Did they catch the phantom killer?
Swinney was convicted on other charges and sentenced to a long term as a habitual car thief and forger. Two of the lead investigators believed him to be guilty of the murders. The book The Phantom Killer: Unlocking the Mystery of the Texarkana Serial Murders (2014) concludes that Swinney is the culprit.
What did the phantom killer do?
An unidentified assailant often known as the Texarkana Phantom Killer committed a number of murders and assaults in Texarkana (Miller County, Arkansas, and Bowie County, Texas) through the spring of 1946. Five people were killed, and three were wounded.
When was the phantom killer active?
The Freeway Phantom is a self imposed nickname for an unidentified serial killer who was active in Washington, D.C. from April 1971 through September 1972....Freeway PhantomVictims6Span of crimesApril 25, 1971–September 5, 1972CountryUnited StatesState(s)District of Columbia4 more rows
Did they ever find the Phantom Killer in Texarkana?
In five attacks over 10 weeks, at least one person, known as the Phantom Killer, assaulted eight people, shooting five to death. Never officially solved, the case has joined the ranks of legendary murder mysteries. "The Town That Dreaded Sundown," a 1976 movie directed by Texarkana independent filmmaker Charles B.
Was the Texarkana killer real?
The cold case of the Texarkana Phantom is a story unlike any other. This masked killer terrorized a small Southern city over a six month period in 1946. He claimed five casualties and heavily traumatized three others while simultaneously throwing an entire town into hysterics.
Who is the most popular serial killer?
7 of History's Most Notorious Serial KillersJack the Ripper. We call him “Jack the Ripper,” but we don't really know who the person behind one of the older and most notorious murder sprees was. ... Jeffrey Dahmer. ... Harold Shipman. ... John Wayne Gacy. ... H.H. Holmes. ... Pedro Lopez. ... Ted Bundy.
Why was Texarkana called Little Chicago?
Some people called Texarkana “Little Chicago,” because its location as a railroad hub brought great performers and famous politicians. But the rails also brought drifters and criminally inclined strangers.
When did the Zodiac killer start?
Zodiac killer, unidentified American serial killer who is believed to have murdered at least five people in northern California between 1968 and 1969.
Where was the Freeway Phantom located?
From April 1971 to September 1972 six young African-American girls were abducted from their neighborhoods in Washington, DC and murdered. Their bodies were found in both the District of Columbia and in Prince George's County, Maryland. The suspect in these murders has been called “The Freeway Phantom” by the media.
Is Texarkana in Texas or Arkansas?
Texarkana, Texas is a city in Bowie County, Texas, United States, located in the Ark-La-Tex region. It is a twin city with neighboring Texarkana, Arkansas. The population of the Texas city was 37,280 at the 2015 census estimate.
What is Texarkana known for?
Sitting at the crossroads of four states, Texarkana has been known for a century for its iconic courthouse and post office building that straddles the state line between Texarkana, Arkansas and its sister city, Texarkana, Texas. The courthouse is one of the two most-photographed courthouses in the nation.
Who is the most popular serial killer?
7 of History's Most Notorious Serial KillersJack the Ripper. We call him “Jack the Ripper,” but we don't really know who the person behind one of the older and most notorious murder sprees was. ... Jeffrey Dahmer. ... Harold Shipman. ... John Wayne Gacy. ... H.H. Holmes. ... Pedro Lopez. ... Ted Bundy.
Which country is Texarkana?
United StatesTexarkana, TexasCountryUnited StatesStateTexasCountyBowieGovernment25 more rows
Where was The Town That Dreaded Sundown filmed?
TexarkanaThe film was mostly shot around Texarkana, and a number of locals were cast as extras. The world premiere was held in Texarkana on December 17, 1976, before its regular run in theaters on December 24.
Where did the Phantom's shoes appear in the movie The Town That Dreaded Sundown?
They continue their search, but never find him. Years later during the Christmas season of 1976, the film The Town That Dreaded Sundown premieres in Texarkana and the shoes of the Phantom are seen on someone standing in line.
Where did the Phantom attack?
The actual Phantom attacked eight people in or near the town of Texarkana, Texas, which is on the Texas border with Arkansas. Most of the murders occurred in rural areas just outside Texarkana, in Bowie County, Texas, while the film has them occurring in Arkansas.
What year was the movie The Town That Dreaded Sundown based on?
Box office. $5 million. The Town That Dreaded Sundown is a 1976 American thriller film directed and produced by Charles B. Pierce, and written by Earl E. Smith. The film is loosely based on the 1946 Texarkana Moonlight Murders, crimes attributed to an unidentified serial killer known as the Phantom Killer. It is narrated by Vern Stierman, who had ...
How often do Phantom attacks happen?
At the barber shop, Ramsey explains to Morales his theory that the Phantom attacks every 21 days. The next attack falls on the day of a high school prom, and decoys are set up on the edges of town. After the dance, on April 14, trombone player Peggy Loomis leaves with her boyfriend Roy Allen.
When was the town that dreaded sundown released?
Main article: The Town That Dreaded Sundown (2014 film) A follow-up metasequel by Ryan Murphy and Jason Blum was released on October 16, 2014, in select theaters and then on Video on Demand the following day. The director, Alfonso Gomez-Rejon, directed a script by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa.
Who killed James Grunstra?
On March 15, 1978, Gerald Gedrimas, a teenager, shot and killed his high school friend James Grunstra. In court, Gedrimas stated that he thought of his plan to be an " outlaw " like Jesse James (the infamous legendary outlaw of the Wild West) while watching The Town That Dreaded Sundown.
Who played the Phantom in the movie?
The Phantom is played by Bud Davis, who later worked as stunt coordinator on films such as Forrest Gump, Cast Away, and Inglourious Basterds. The film was mostly shot around Texarkana, and a number of locals were cast as extras.
What was the town that dreaded sundown about?
Comment. The Town That Dreaded Sundown was a 1976 docudrama that was based on actual crimes committed in Te xarkana in 1946. A hooded killer terrorized citizens in rural areas surrounding the border between Texas and Kansas. Dubbed the “Texarkana Moonlight Murders” by the press, eight people were attacked and five were murdered within the span ...
Where was the hooded killer killed?
The final attack by the hooded killer took place on the night of April 13. Married couple Virgil and Katie Starks, both in their 30s, were shot in their home located on a 500 acre farm 10 miles northeast of Texarkana. Virgil was shot and killed while sitting in a chair in his living room.
What is the movie Sundown about?
Unlike popular crime films such as Oliver Stone’s Natural Born Killers (1994), which was loosely inspired by a variety of events, and David Fincher’s Zodiac, which focused on one man’s obsession with a real serial killer, Sundown carried the weight of crimes that affected real people.
What happened on March 24, 1946?
March 24, 1946 another couple was confronted in a different area also known as a “lover’s lane.” This time, both victims were not so lucky. Richard L. Griffin (29) and his girlfriend Polly Ann More (17) were found dead in his car from gunshot wounds to the head. Less than a month later on April 13 the killer took the lives of Paul Martin (17) and his friend Betty Jo Booker (15) – both shot with the same gun used as the previous double-murder, a .32 automatic Colt pistol. After Martin and Booker were killed, the Texarkana Daily News used the “Phantom Killer” moniker in a headline, which was soon used to describe him by the national media.
Did the Phantom Killer ever strike again?
The Phantom Killer never struck again, and though there was a robust manhunt and investigation no one was ever convicted of the crimes. While The Town That Dreaded Sundown may have played with the facts of the actual case, it did keep the memory of the tragic events alive for decades.
Did Larey run away after the attack?
After fracturing the skull of Hollis with the gun, Larey was also hit in the head but, bizarrely, also told to run away by the assailant. He caught up with her, sexually assaulted her, but let her go after the attack. The hooded perpetrator’s behavior, at times erratic, seemed to suggest an uncertainty in his actions.
What town did the sundown happen in?
The Town That Dreaded Sundown.
- ] The Texarkana Moonlight Murders were a series of murders that happened in the twin cities of Texarkana, Texas and Texarkana, Arkansas in 1946. That spring, an unidentified man known as the ‘Phantom Killer’ or ‘Phantom Slayer’ murdered five ...
Who is the prime suspect in the Moonlight murders?
The Zodiac and Monster of Florence are also unsolved crimes.
- ] Youell Swinney is considered the prime suspect for the moonlight murders. He was a known criminal and his wife confessed that he was the killer, though she refused to testify against him in court.
Who is the Phantom of the Texarkana Gazette?
- ] The Texarkana Phantom is one of at least seven known killers who targeted lovers’ lanes either for their remote locations, distracted prey, or a deeper psychological motive. The Zodiac killer, Son of Sam killer, ...
Who owns the creepy catalog?
Creepy Catalog is owned by the Thought and Expression Company, a small, independent media company.
Who was the woman who was assaulted by a man in the car?
February 22, 1946 — Jimmy Hollis (25) and Mary Jeanne Larey (19) were approached by a man while parked at a lovers’ lane. They were ordered out of the car and Jimmy was asked to take his pants off. Jimmy was then pistol-whipped so hard his skull was fractured. Mary was told to run. When the attacker caught up with Mary he sexually assaulted her. Both Jimmy and Mary survived.
Who was shot twice in the same window?
He was shot twice from a (closed) window three feet away. His wife Katie Starks (36) was shot twice from the same window but managed to run to a neighbor’s house.
Why did the towns institute a curfew?
The towns instituted a curfew and many citizens who used to not lock their door were buying supplies to secure their doors and windows. Local stores sold out of guns and ammo. The police were inundated with calls about minor clues or crimes.
- ] The name “the Phantom Killer” was literally invented by the media.
What year was the town that dreaded sundown?
The Town That Dreaded Sundown. (2014 film) The Town That Dreaded Sundown is a 2014 American slasher film and serves as a meta - sequel to the 1976 film of the same name. Directed by Alfonso Gomez-Rejon in his feature-length directorial debut, the film was written by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and produced by Jason Blum and Ryan Murphy.
How many stars does the movie Town That Dreaded Sundown have?
Empire Online gave the film three stars and called it "Smart, fun, mid-list horror with Scream overtones." Fangoria gave the film three out of four skulls and said "the plot somewhat falls apart in the third act...But despite this disappointing final blow, Town That Dreaded Sundown is still well worth a visit."
How much did The Town That Dreaded Sundown cost?
Box office. $120,459. The Town That Dreaded Sundown is a 2014 American slasher film and serves as a meta - sequel to the 1976 film of the same name. Directed by Alfonso Gomez-Rejon in his feature-length directorial debut, the film was written by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and produced by Jason Blum and Ryan Murphy.
When was the town that dreaded sundown released?
The Town That Dreaded Sundown was theatrically released on October 16, 2014, by Orion Pictures. The film had grossed only $120,459 in its initial release and received mixed-to-positive reviews from critics, who praised its production values, visuals and performances, but criticized its screenplay, unoriginality, and character development. As of February 2019, the film has grossed over $100k through video sales.
What happened to Johnny and Roy in the movie?
Johnny is beaten and Roy gets tied up, whereupon the Phantom recreates the trombone weapon from the original film. Johnny is shot to death before Roy is stabbed.
How many stars did the movie Southern Fried Scream have?
Jonathan Romney of The Guardian gave the film three stars and called it "a southern-fried Scream " and said it "proves that a brazen lack of originality doesn’t preclude inventiveness and brio." However, Benjamin Lee also writing for The Guardian gave it two stars and called it "cookie cutter carnage."
Who took over the investigation of the murders in the Texas town?
Jami is helped with her research into the killings by her former classmate Nick Strain. At the police station, Texas Ranger Lone Wolf Morales takes over the investigation.
Who is the author of The Phantom Killer?
The majority of the information contained in this piece comes from the books: The Phantom Killer: Unlocking the Mystery of the Texarkana Serial Murders: The Story of a Town in Terror by James Presley (the nephew of Bill Presley, the local Sheriff presiding over the case) and The Texarkana Moonlight Murders: The Unsolved Case of the 1946 Phantom Killer by Michael Newton. Although the murders occurred over 70 years ago, these books were published within the last several years.
How many people died in the Texarkana Phantom?
He claimed five casualties and heavily traumatized three others while simultaneously throwing an entire town into hysterics. The Texarkana Phantom’s attacks (which later inspired the classic horror movie The Town That Dreaded Sundown ) took place between February 1946 and July 1946. They left five dead, three injured, and an entire town traumatized.
How old was Youell Swinney when he was caught counterfeiting nickels?
Youell started escalating his crimes and by the age of fifteen he was interviewed by the Secret Service after being caught counterfeiting nickels. As an adult, Youell Swinney was described as a Caucasian man, 5′ 11″, weighing 166 pounds with a tattoo of a heart and skull that spelled the word revenge on his arm.
Why did Katie run out of the house?
Still in shock, Katie dropped to the floor to avoid any more bullets and then fled to the bedroom to search for the personal firearm that Virgil kept there. However, before she could arm herself, she realized her attacker was breaking down the back door to come after her inside the house. Katie gathered her courage and miraculously was able to run out of the front door to a neighbor who took her to the hospital.
Where was Griffin found?
Griffin was found on his knees behind the front seat , his pants pulled down to his ankles with the pockets turned out and his head resting on his hands, as if he were asleep. Moore was found face down in the backseat, her purse opened as if the perpetrator sifted through it for cash and valuables.
Was Griffin's wallet found at the scene?
Also, even though Griffin’s wallet and Moore’s class ring were found at the crime scene, the police suspected that this crime was a fatal robbery due to Griffin’s pockets being inside out and Moore’s purse being open. Future analysis by the FBI and the Rangers suggested that Moore could have possibly been raped that night, but there were conflicting reports and this information was never released to the public.
Is the town that dreaded sundown true?
Thirty years after the attacks of the Texarkana Phantom, a horror movie entitled The Town That Dreaded Sundown was released in theatres, on December 24,  1976.  According to the film, it portrayed a true story depicting accurate events with only the names changed. While there were some similarities that can be tied to the events of Texarkana, there are several inconsistencies between real-life events and the film. However, The Town That Dreaded Sundown did upset many of the residents and even resulted in an (unsuccessful) lawsuit from one a brother of one of the victims.
Overview
Historical accuracy
The beginning of the film states that the first attack occurred on Sunday, March 3. In real life, the attack happened on Friday, February 22. Jimmy Hollis (portrayed as "Sammy Fuller") was not pulled out of the window. The girl, Mary Jeanne Larey (portrayed as "Linda Mae Jenkins") was told to run. She was then chased down and sexually assaulted with the attacker's gun. She soon escaped and received help at a house.
Plot
Before the "Phantom-attacks", which occurred about eight months after World War II, Texarkana was pleasant and citizens were preparing for a good future. On the night of Sunday, March 3, 1946, Sammy Fuller and Linda Mae Jenkins park on a lovers' lane. Soon, the hood of the car opens and closes and a man with a bag over his head with holes cut out for his eyes is seen holding wires he had yanked from the engine. While Sammy tries starting the car, the man breaks his wi…
Cast
• Ben Johnson as Captain J.D. Morales, based on the lead investigator, Texas Rangers Company B Captain M. T. "Lone Wolf" Gonzaullas
• Andrew Prine as Deputy Norman Ramsey, a fictional character slightly based on Bowie County Sheriff Bill Presley
• Dawn Wells as Helen Reed, based on Katie Starks, from the final pair of actual victims
Production
Principal photography began on Monday, June 21, in the very hot summer of 1976 for about four weeks. Locations included Scott, Arkansas, Shreveport, Louisiana, Garland City, Arkansas, and Texarkana, Texas. The last scene filmed was the first attack, which was shot in front of Pierce's home in Shreveport. About 19 Texarkana locals starred in the film along with several extras.
Pierce called Dawn Wells on July 8, 1976, to star in his film. She arrived by plane in Texarkana be…
Promotion and release
The film's poster art was painted with acrylic by graphic illustrator Ralph McQuarrie, then an unknown. McQuarrie had painted the poster for Pierce's The Legend of Boggy Creek, then later for his films Bootleggers (1974), Winterhawk (1975), and Winds of Autumn (1976). McQuarrie became recognized for his talent and went on to paint posters for Creature from Black Lake (1976), Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977), Battlestar Galactica (1978), Back to the Future (…
Controversies
In February 1977, Texarkana city officials voted to file a lawsuit against the film's ad campaign. When city officials visited Washington, DC, they were kidded about the film's tagline. Mayor Harvey Nelson explained, "The ad is too much; that's just not true. There's objection that this whole thing will be spreading fear in the community. There are relatives of the victims still living here, and this is very unpleasant to them." Pierce worked with American International Pictures to remove the "s…
Tradition
In Texarkana (where the story is based), this film is shown to the public at Spring Lake Park near Halloween. It is the last film shown for "Movies in the Park," which plays a film on each Thursday during May and October. The showing of the film, which has been a tradition since 2003, is a free event sponsored by the Texarkana Department of Parks & Recreation.