The Legend of Hillbilly John

The Legend of Hillbilly John is a 1972 American fantasy film based on the short story collection Who Fears the Devil? by Manly Wade Wellman.

Plot

John, is an easygoing singer whose Grandpappy John loses a fiery musical duel with the devil. Thereafter, John carries a magical silver-stringed guitar from one Appalachian community to the next, accompanied by a dog he calls “Honor Hound.” In one very long sequence, John escorts a dangerous man called Zebulon Yandro to a meeting with Yandro’s ultimate fate. And in the most dynamic sequence, John duels with “Ugly Bird” atop Hark Mountain. Somewhat holding the pieces of the story together is Mr. Marduke, a host/narrator who lists among the enemies plaguing the Appalachian Mountains the devil and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Cast

Hedges Capers as John
Severn Darden as Mr. Marduke
Sharon Henesy as Lily
Denver Pyle as Grandpappy John
Susan Strasberg as Polly Wiltse
Harris Yulin as Zebulon Yandro
Sidney Clute as Charles
Percy Rodriguez as Capt. Lojoie H. Desplain IV

Production

The Legend of Hillbilly John was the only theatrically released feature film produced by Barney Rosenzweig, best known for the long-running police drama Cagney & Lacey. It is the last feature film directed by John Newland, who is better known as the host of the paranormal anthology series Alcoa Presents One Step Beyond. The film was adapted by Melvin P. Levy from the short story collection Who Fears the Devil? by Manly Wade Wellman. Critic Darrell Schweitzer asserts that “Wellman despised the film.” Critic Karl Edward Wagner quoted Wellman as saying, “It’s like ancient Rome and modern Rome. Here and there some of the ruins of the original poke through.”