Billy the Kid Versus Dracula
This article consists almost entirely of a plot summary. (October 2017) |
Billy the Kid Versus Dracula | |
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File:Btkvd.jpg | |
Directed by | William Beaudine |
Written by | Story: Carl K. Hittleman Screenplay: Carl K. Hittleman |
Produced by | Carroll Case |
Starring | John Carradine Chuck Courtney |
Cinematography | Lothrop B. Worth |
Edited by | Roy V. Livingston |
Music by | Raoul Kraushaar |
Distributed by | Embassy Pictures |
Release date |
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Running time | 73 min. |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Billy the Kid Versus Dracula is a 1966 American low-budget horror-Western film directed by William Beaudine. It was released theatrically as part of a double feature along with Jesse James Meets Frankenstein's Daughter. Both films were shot in eight days at Corriganville Movie Ranch and at Paramount Studios in mid-1965; both were the final feature films of director William Beaudine.[1] The film revolves around Billy the Kid (played by stuntman Chuck Courtney)[2] trying to save his fiancée from Dracula (John Carradine repeating his role from the low-budget Universal Studios movie sequels to the Bela Lugosi classic Dracula). The films were produced by television producer Carroll Case for Joseph E. Levine.
Plot
The film centers on Dracula's plot to convert Billy the Kid's fiancée, Betty Bentley, into his vampire bride. Dracula impersonates Bentley's uncle, calling himself "Mr. Underhill", and schemes to make her his vampire bride. A German immigrant couple come to work for her and warn Bentley that her "uncle" is a vampire. While Bentley does not believe them, their concerns confirm Billy's suspicions that something is not quite right with Betty's uncle.
Eventually, the Count kidnaps Betty and takes her to an abandoned silver mine. Billy confronts the Count but soon finds that bullets are no match for a vampire. The Count subdues the notorious outlaw and sets out to transform Betty into his vampire mate. Just then, the town sheriff and a country doctor arrive. The doctor hands Billy a silver scalpel telling him he must drive it through the vampire's heart. Billy throws his gun at the vampire and knocks him senseless, making him easy pickings for a staking. With the Count destroyed, Betty is saved and Billy takes her away, presumably to live happily ever after.
Cast
- Chuck Courtney as William 'Billy the Kid' Bonney
- John Carradine as Count Dracula
- Melinda Plowman as Elizabeth (Betty) Bentley
- Virginia Christine as Eva Oster
- Walter Janovitz as Franz Oster
- Bing Russell as Dan 'Red' Thorpe
- Olive Carey as Dr. Henrietta Hull
- Roy Barcroft as Sheriff Griffin
- Hannie Landman as Lisa Oster
- Richard Reeves as Pete (saloonkeeper)
- Marjorie Bennett as Mary Ann Bentley
- William Forrest as James Underhill
- George Cisar as Joe Flake
- Harry Carey, Jr. as Ben Dooley (wagonmaster)
- Leonard P. Geer as Yancy (as Lennie Geer)
- William Challee as Tim (station agent)
See also
References
- ^ pp. 280-281 Marshall, Wendy L.. William Beaudine: From Silents to Television, Scarecrow Press, 1 Jan 2005
- ^ Magers, Donna. "Chuck Courtney - Western Stuntmen by Neil Summers".
External links
- 1966 films
- 1966 horror films
- 1960s Western (genre) films
- American films
- American supernatural horror films
- American Western (genre) films
- Crossover films
- Cultural depictions of Billy the Kid
- Dracula films
- Embassy Pictures films
- English-language films
- Films directed by William Beaudine
- Vampires in film
- Weird West