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Quickie Review - The Town That Dreaded Sundown

This 1976 slasher film is supposedly based on a true story about a killer that was never caught, so we kind of know going in how it will end. That shouldn't matter to most as it is very apparent this isn't going to be an award winner. The odd thing is it's mesmerizing. It's so simply shot and the dread that the townspeople feel isn't really overdone. The kids who are at the mercy of the attacker do exactly what kids would do...try and get lucky as opposed to being smart.

The movie stars nobody recognizable, other than to true movie buffs, but one, Dawn Wells. She ironically is the worst actor in the film. The main characters are actually pretty decent, in that they don't achieve to be anything more than normal folks. There are two or three scenes of humor that some might find silly, but I found fun. The big letdown are the attack scenes, with one ranking right up there with some of the most silly ever filmed.

If you're looking for a good movie, skip it, but if you are into the late 70's, early 80's schlock horror, without the gore, give it a try. The movie could literally be rated PG if not for one violent scene, but even that is more implied. I wanted to hate it, but found myself actually enjoying it. A remake is in the works and I can just imagine they will overdo the violence, but maybe, just maybe, it works.

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