The Town That Dreaded Sundown represents a different approach to the masked-killer-on-the-loose film that of course predates Halloween, Friday the 13th, etc. The hooded 'Phantom' who terrorizes Texarkana is extremely effective, both visually and in terms of his deranged creativity and maniacal drive to kill. Additionally, the docu-drama approach is novel and works given the basis in truth that the film is based on. Indeed, given that the killer was never caught, this does bestow upon the film a nihilistic edge, although if the viewer is seeking resolution, then obviously there is none (although the final self-referential scene is cool). However, there are some issues, most notably the inclusion of some heavy-handed, if not slapstick at times, comedy. This jars with the documentary-style approach (and the sadistically brutal murders) and is mainly focused on Patrolman A. C. Benson, who just reminded me of Ed Wood Jr's Kelton the Cop, which is perhaps not an ideal connection in a serious and gritty horror film. Finally, at one stage the killer is seen wandering around a sandpit in broad daylight still wearing the sack-mask, which seems a little odd and very unlikely on the killer's part. But in the history of the psycho-killer film, The Town That Dreaded Sundown makes a strong and influential contribution and is well worth seeing.
Review of The Town That Dreaded Sundown
