Episode 12-The Town That Dreaded Sundown (1976)

Texarkana, Arkansas/Texas, 1946. Men are returning from the conclusion of World War II and going to school. The economy booms and fears of the Soviets are only beginning to grow. But in a period of four months from February to May, the town of Texarkana would experience a horror not yet common to American society. The masked "Phantom Killer" would strike, attacking 8 people and leaving 5 dead before disappearing into the chapters of American true crime, his identity as unknown as Jack the Ripper or Zodiac. 30 years later, Arkansas native Charles B. Pierce of The Legend of Boggy Creek fame, would bring the story of the Texarkana Moonlight Murders to the world with his cult proto-slasher: The Town That Dreaded Sundown! Loosely inspired by the real crimes, this movie is shot docudrama style with narration, suspense and horror as Deputy Ramsey (Andrew Pine) teams up with Texas Ranger J.D. Morales (Ben Johnson) to find and stop the elusive Phantom targeting teens on lovers lane. The film brought renewed interest in the case and spawned a meta sequel/reboot in 2014. How faithful is this to the true story? Does Pierce's role as comic relief Officer Benson detract the film? Who holds a prom dance at 1AM? Join Cordell and Lucas as we try to solve this forgotten classic! Music: The Town that Dreaded Sundown Theme. Performed by Jamie Mendoza Nava. All Rights Reserved.