As the audience sat in a Texarkana movie theater on December 17, 1976, listening to the click of the projector and the anxious breathing of their fellow filmgoers, they were treated to a chilling introduction. The text that preceded the horrors sure to follow promised: “the incredible story you are about to see is true, where it happened and how it happened; only the names have been changed.” What followed was the premiere of Charles B. Pierce‘s schlocky, gory horror film, The Town that Dreaded Sundown. Only, to the people of Texarkana, gripping the arms of their seats with white-knuckled hands, this was no ordinary night at the movies.

It was a fictional reimagining of a nightmare that, 30 years prior, had been all too real for the panicked citizens of the area.

In a move that would draw heavy controversy, and several attempted lawsuits, Pierce and screenwriter Earl E. Smith had based their film on true, horrific events. In 1946, the region between Arkansas and Texas was torn apart by a series of brutal attacks, all attributed to the same unknown assailant. The violence was unprecedented, terrifying, and would capture the imagination of the nation long before it was ever adapted for the screen. Suddenly, people could not trust their neighbors, feared for their safety whenever they were alone at night and saw danger around every corner. This is the story of the Phantom Killer, and the Texarkana Moonlight Murders.

The true story behind The Town That Dreaded Sundown.

The story of the Phantom Killer only gets darker from here. We delve into the full story in this week’s episode of Insidious Inspirations.

Listener beware, this is one of our darkest episodes yet. If you like the show, consider subscribing on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.