BILLY THE KID VERSUS DRACULA (1966) – Episode 170 – Decades Of Horror: The Classic Era

“Here. [hands Billy whiskey] A little something to take the soreness out. … I think I’ll join you. I don’t feel too good myself.” Always follow the doctor’s orders! Join this episode’s Grue-Crew – Chad Hunt, Daphne Monary-Ernsdorff, Doc Rotten, and Jeff Mohr – as they saddle up for a rip-roaring ride out west with Billy the Kid Versus Dracula (1966)! Giddyup, Grue Believers!

Decades of Horror: The Classic Era
Episode 170 – Billy the Kid Versus Dracula (1966)

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Dracula travels to the American West, intent on making a beautiful ranch owner his next victim. Her fiance, outlaw Billy the Kid, finds out about it and rushes to save her.

 

• Directed by: William Beaudine
• Writer: Carl K. Hittleman (as Carl Hittleman)
• Selected Cast:
  • John Carradine as Count Dracula / posing as James Underhill
  • Chuck Courtney as William ‘Billy the Kid’ Bonney
  • Melinda Casey as Elizabeth (Betty) Bentley (credited as Melinda Plowman)
  • Virginia Christine as Eva Oster
  • Walter Janovitz as Franz Oster (as Walter Janowitz)
  • 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 The Real James Underhill
  • George Cisar as Joe Flake
  • Harry Carey Jr. as Ben Dooley
  • Leonard P. Geer as Yancy (as Lennie Geer)
  • William Challee as Tom – Station Agent (as William Chalee)
  • Charlita as Nana – Indian Maiden
  • Max Kleven as Sandy Newman (as Max Klevin)
  • Jack Williams as Duffy

The subgenre of horror-westerns is not often used. In 1966, however, Embassy Pictures released a pair of this mixed breed on a groovy double feature. Joining Jesse James Meets Frankenstein’s Daughter (1966) is tonight’s feature discussion, Billy the Kid Versus Dracula (1966). Both of these genre mashups are directed by William Beaudine. Once again, Dracula is portrayed by John Carradine (House of Frankenstein, 1944; House of Dracula, 1945) and you might also recognize Chuck Courtney, who plays Billy the Kid, from (Pet Sematary, 1989). From there the cast becomes a who’s who of TV and Film Westerns character actors, putting Jeff in his happy place!

Carradine once said this film was “the worst movie he ever acted in.” The Grue-Crew may have other thoughts. Check it out now and let us know what you think of this bizarre and fun blend of genres. 

At the time of this writing, Billy the Kid Versus Dracula is available for streaming from several different sources. The Grue Crew found the best resolution on the Classic Horror Movie Channel and Kanopy, but, among others, it can also be found on Tubi and Plex. The film is available on physical media as a Blu-ray from Kino Lorber.

Gruesome Magazine’s Decades of Horror: The Classic Era records a new episode every two weeks. Up next in their very flexible schedule, as chosen by Jeff, is Beyond the Time Barrier (1960), directed by Edgar G. Ulmer (The Black Cat, 1934) and starring Robert Clarke (The Hideous Sun Demon, 1958).

Please let them know how they’re doing! They want to hear from you – the coolest, grooviest fans: leave them a message or leave a comment on the Gruesome Magazine YouTube channel, the site, or email the Decades of Horror: The Classic Era podcast hosts at [email protected]

To each of you from each of them, “Thank you so much for watching and listening!”