Billy the Child versus Dracula is a 1966 horror-western movie wherein the undead Depend travels to the American Previous West, intent on making a feminine ranch proprietor his vampire bride. Her fiancé, the reformed outlaw Billy the Child, finds out and rushes to avoid wasting her. Promoted as Billy the Child vs. Dracula
The film was directed by William Beaudine (Bela Lugosi Meets a Brooklyn Gorilla; Voodoo Man; The Ape Man) from a screenplay by Carl Okay. Hittleman.
The Circle Productions film stars John Carradine, Chuck Courtney, Melinda Plowman and Virginia Christine.
The movie was launched theatrically on 10 April 1966 as a part of a double-bill, together with Jesse James Meets Frankenstein’s Daughter. The movies have been produced by tv producer Carroll Case for Joseph E. Levine.
Plot [includes spoilers]:
Dracula’s plots to transform Billy the Child’s fiancé, Betty Bentley, into his vampire bride. Dracula impersonates Betty’s deceased uncle, calling himself “Mr. Underhill”, and schemes to make her his vampire bride. A German immigrant couple involves work for her and warns Betty that her “uncle” is a vampire. Whereas Betty doesn’t imagine them, their considerations affirm Billy’s suspicions that one thing is just not fairly proper with Betty’s uncle.
Finally, the Depend kidnaps Betty and takes her to an deserted silver mine. Billy confronts the Depend, however quickly finds that bullets are not any match for a vampire. The Depend subdues the infamous outlaw and units out to remodel Betty into his vampire bride. Simply then, the city sheriff and a rustic physician arrive. The physician fingers Billy a silver scalpel, telling him he should drive it by means of the vampire’s coronary heart. Billy throws his gun on the vampire and knocks him mindless, making him simple pickings for a staking. With the Depend destroyed, Betty is saved and Billy takes her away, presumably to reside fortunately ever after…
Our overview:
Take beneficiant portions of ham and corn. Stir. Add marquee-friendly title. Serve to a jaded public. This myth-mash of vampire lore and Previous West legend is sadly far duller than its outré title suggests. Its undead villain (he’s by no means known as Dracula) preys on a reasonably younger rancher, posing as her uncle in a plot to make her his mate. He’s lastly stymied by her sceptical fiancé, one William H. Bonney.
As a western, it’s at finest perfunctory – there’s an indigenous American stagecoach assault, a short fistfight and never a lot else. It’s equally cursory as a vampire movie – Carradine has no reflection, however is okay to stroll round in daylight. His entrances are preceded by pictures of a distinctly rubbery bat; tongues have been avowedly in cheeks, which is simply as effectively.
Director William Beaudine had been making movies for the reason that silent period. He earned the sobriquet ‘One Shot’ for his speedy, no-frills method. This one was made in eight days in mid 1965 on the Corrigan Film Ranch in California, based by B-western star Ray ‘Crash’ Corrigan.
John Carradine responds to the absurdity of the premise with a supremely arch efficiency centred on the muscle mass round his eyes, whereas Chuck Courtney essays maybe the blandest Billy the Child in display historical past.
Nostalgia buffs could notice the presence of veteran western gamers Roy Barcroft, because the slow-witted sheriff; Harry Carey Jr; and Carey’s mom, Olive, who’s refreshingly wry because the city physician, who naturally has a guide on vampires amongst her medical texts.
Kevin Grant, MOVIES & MANIA
“Extremely gratifying hokum with Carradine stalking Indian squaws within the method born and giving the film fairly some class.” Alan Frank, The Horror Movie Handbook
Solid and characters:
John Carradine … Depend Dracula/posing as James Underhill
Chuck Courtney … William ‘Billy the Child’ Bonney
Melinda Casey … Elizabeth (Betty) Bentley
Virginia Christine … Eva Oster
Walter Janovitz … Franz Oster
Bing Russell … Dan ‘Crimson’ Thorpe
Olive Carey … Dr Henrietta Hull
Roy Barcroft … Sheriff Griffin
Hannie Landman … Lisa Oster
Richard Reeves … Pete – Saloon keeper
Marjorie Bennett … Mary Ann Bentley
William Forrest … The Actual James Underhill
George Cisar … Joe Flake
Harry Carey Jr … Ben Dooley
Leonard P. Geer … Yancy
William Challee … Tom – Station Agent
Charlita … Nana – Indigenous American Maiden
Max Kleven … Sandy Newman
Jack Williams … Duffy
Technical specs:
1 hour 28 minutes
Pathécolor
1.85: 1
Mono
Trailer:
Clip:
Free to observe on-line on YouTube [1080p HD]:
Associated:
Dying Rides a Horse: Horror Westerns – Article by Kevin Grant
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