BILLY THE KID VERSUS DRACULA John Carradine! – Review and free online

Billy the Kid versus Dracula is a 1966 horror-western film in which the undead Count travels to the American Old West, intent on making a female ranch owner his vampire bride. Her fiancé, the reformed outlaw Billy the Kid, finds out and rushes to save her. Promoted as Billy the Kid vs. Dracula

The movie was directed by William Beaudine (Bela Lugosi Meets a Brooklyn Gorilla; Voodoo Man; The Ape Man) from a screenplay by Carl K. Hittleman.

The Circle Productions movie stars John Carradine, Chuck Courtney, Melinda Plowman and Virginia Christine.

The film was released theatrically on 10 April 1966 as part of a double-bill, along with Jesse James Meets Frankenstein’s Daughter. The films were produced by television producer Carroll Case for Joseph E. Levine.

Plot [includes spoilers]:

Dracula’s plots to convert Billy the Kid’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 comes to work for her and warns Betty that her “uncle” is a vampire. While Betty 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 bride. 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…

Our review:
Take generous quantities of ham and corn. Stir. Add marquee-friendly title. Serve to a jaded public. This myth-mash of vampire lore and Old West legend is unfortunately far duller than its outré title suggests. Its undead villain (he is never referred to as Dracula) preys on a pretty young rancher, posing as her uncle in a plot to make her his mate. He is finally stymied by her sceptical fiancé, one William H. Bonney.

As a western, it is at best perfunctory – there is an indigenous American stagecoach attack, a brief fistfight and not much else. It is equally cursory as a vampire film – Carradine has no reflection, but is fine to walk around in daylight. His entrances are preceded by shots of a distinctly rubbery bat; tongues were avowedly in cheeks, which is just as well.

Director William Beaudine had been making films since the silent era. He earned the sobriquet ‘One Shot’ for his speedy, no-frills technique. This one was made in eight days in mid 1965 at the Corrigan Movie Ranch in California, founded by B-western star Ray ‘Crash’ Corrigan.

John Carradine responds to the absurdity of the premise with a supremely arch performance centred on the muscles around his eyes, while Chuck Courtney essays perhaps the blandest Billy the Kid in screen history.

Nostalgia buffs may note the presence of veteran western players Roy Barcroft, as the slow-witted sheriff; Harry Carey Jr; and Carey’s mother, Olive, who is refreshingly wry as the town doctor, who naturally has a book on vampires among her medical texts.
Kevin Grant, MOVIES & MANIA

“Highly enjoyable hokum with Carradine stalking Indian squaws in the manner born and giving the movie quite some class.” Alan Frank, The Horror Film Handbook

Cast and characters:
John Carradine … Count Dracula/posing as James Underhill
Chuck Courtney … William ‘Billy the Kid’ Bonney
Melinda Casey … Elizabeth (Betty) Bentley
Virginia Christine … Eva Oster
Walter Janovitz … Franz Oster
Bing Russell … Dan ‘Red’ 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 Real 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 watch online on YouTube [1080p HD]:

Related:

Death Rides a Horse: Horror Westerns – Article by Kevin Grant

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