Billy the Kid Versus Dracula

Billy the Kid Versus Dracula
Company type	Film
Industry	Motion picture
Founded	1966; 60 years ago
Founder	William Beaudine (director), Carroll Case (producer)
Headquarters	United States
Products	Horror Western film

Billy the Kid Versus Dracula, a 1966 American horror Western, was directed by William Beaudine. The movie features Chuck Courtney portraying Billy the Kid, who confronts Dracula—played by John Carradine—to rescue his betrothed. Initially released as a double feature alongside Jesse James Meets Frankenstein's Daughter, both films were produced over an eight-day shoot at Corriganville Movie Ranch and Paramount Studios during mid-1965. These projects represent the final feature-length works of Beaudine and were produced by television producer Carroll Case under Joseph E. Levine's banner.

Plot

Disguised as Betty Bentley’s late uncle, "Mr. Underhill," Dracula seeks to transform her into his vampire bride. A German immigrant couple warns Betty that her supposed uncle is actually a vampire, confirming Billy’s doubts. When Dracula abducts Betty and confines her within an abandoned silver mine, Billy confronts him but discovers that ordinary weapons prove useless. The town sheriff and a country doctor arrive, providing Billy with a silver scalpel capable of defeating the vampire. After stunning Dracula, Billy drives the stake through his heart, saving Betty and eliminating the menace.

Cast

Chuck Courtney as William "Billy the Kid" Bonney
John Carradine as Count Dracula/James Underhill
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 (saloon keeper)
Marjorie Bennett as Mary Ann Bentley
William Forrest as James Underhill
George Cisar as Joe Flake
Harry Carey, Jr. as Ben Dooley (wagon master)
Leonard P. Geer as Yancy (credited as Lennie Geer)
William Challee as Tim (station agent)

Production

The announcement for this film came on June 22, 1965, simultaneously with Jesse James Meets Frankenstein's Daughter, and principal photography commenced that very day. Both titles represent the last feature films directed by William Beaudine, Sr, who subsequently shifted his focus to television work. The production wrapped on July 9, 1965, concluding with a $25,000 surplus in its budget. Filming took place over eight days at locations including California’s Red Rock Canyon, Corrigan Ranch, and Paramount Studios. Assistant producer Howard W. Koch, Jr. remarked that these movies “were made as cheap as movies can be.”

Release

While an exact release date remains unclear, records show the film was screened by March 30, 1966, in New Haven, Connecticut. Later that year, in September 1966, it was featured in a double bill reissue in St. Louis, Missouri.

Home media

Billy the Kid Versus Dracula became available on DVD through Cheezy Flicks on October 25, 2005, and was subsequently included in the compilation Shockorama: The William Beaudine Collection. On August 20, 2019, KINO Lorber Studio Classics released both Blu-ray and DVD editions of the film.

Reception

John Carradine regarded this movie as the poorest project in his career, stating, "The only film I regret is Billy the Kid Versus Dracula... It was a terrible production. I have no recollection of it. I was completely detached!" Critic Tom Weaver noted that the film could have achieved a degree of "semi-respectability," similar to Curse of the Undead, had it followed traditional vampire mythology more faithfully and showcased a more compelling performance from Carradine.

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