While reading a collection of old '50s crime comics and horror comics, Big Atom Productions writer and director Tim Friend had an epiphany. Albeit, an odd epiphany.

"It occurred to me that I hadn't ever seen gangsters and monsters together in a horror movie," Tim recalls. "I jokingly tossed out the title 'Bonnie and Clyde vs. Dracula' to (my wife) Jenn, and the idea just stuck."

After writing a script, the cast and crew began filming in St. Joseph in July 2007, and the movie was finished in 2008. The film tells two stories. First, Bonnie and Clyde (played by Tiffany Shepis and Trent Haaga) are on the run from the police, flat broke and looking for a hideout. In the other story, a crazed scientist, Dr. Loveless (played by Allen Lowman) is trying to revive Dracula (played by Tim's brother, Russell Friend) with the help of his imprisoned sister, Annabel (played by the aforementioned Jenn Friend).

Even though it might sound like it, "Bonnie & Clyde vs. Dracula" isn't too much like "Public Enemies," and it's definitely no "Twilight." No folks, it is a bona fide feature horror flick.

"Bonnie & Clyde vs. Dracula" has won several awards, including Best Feature at the Sacramento Film Festival and the Arizona Underground Film Festival and Best of Fest at the Fright Night Film Festival. It was named an official selection at the Dark Carnival Film Festival, the New York Horror Film Festival and the Amberg Germany Horror Festival.

The movie will make its first non-festival appearance today in St. Joseph, where it was filmed two summers ago. With the exception of two scenes at a tobacco farm in Weston, Mo., the film was shot entirely in St. Joe in locations such as the Krug Mansion, the Whiskey Mansion Bed and Breakfast and the basement of the Missouri Theater. Tim says the venues added to the film, which is set in 1933.

"The locations were perfect and allowed us to shoot in rural areas and historic homes, which made period accuracy a lot easier," he says.

The cast and crew were happy that the St. Joseph locations were historically accommodating because they had enough to worry about with tracking down clothing, cars and weapons manufactured in 1933. While it was easier to find period-correct jackets, hats and slacks, coming across turn-of-the-century goggles proved more difficult. Assistant producer Bob Shultz eventually got the eyewear with the help of local collector Greg Filardo, who also provided a stuffed two-headed calf. It didn't take long for Tim to realize why more independent filmmakers don't make period pieces.

"If we had known how hard it would be, we might not have tackled it," he admits. "Bob Shultz moved pianos all day just to get the period goggles for Annabel to wear."

Directing and acting came a bit easier. Shepis and Haaga made the trip from Los Angeles to St. Joe to star as Bonnie and Clyde. Just about everyone involved with the film describes them as completely professional and hard-working.

For Jenn Friend, creating a unique character was a treat. In Tim's first film, "Cadaverella," she played multiple roles, but she was given the opportunity to really develop the Annabel character in "Bonnie and Clyde vs. Dracula." Annabel is the younger sister of the evil Dr. Loveless, who keeps her imprisoned in their gothic mansion, and because of this isolation she has the mind of a child.

"I think she is the 'heart' of the film," Jenn says. "I like her innocence and her strength."

When he watched the final product, Tim Friend finally saw how much Jenn and his brother, Russell, brought to their respective roles. But not until then. One would think that a director would be more comfortable working with family members, but Tim found it was more difficult and relied heavily on feedback from others during filming.

"It's hard to gauge their performances because I always 'see' my wife or brother instead of the character," he admits.

Tim feels it is the scope and attention to the characters that set "Bonnie and Clyde vs. Dracula" apart from several of the horror films at festivals around the world. Most of the genre's films are all about the gore, but "Bonnie and Clyde vs. Dracula" has been positively examined as ambitious, while integrating humor and horror in a way that isn't parody.

"Bonnie & Clyde vs. Dracula" will open at the Plaza 8 Theaters today and will run through July 30. Plaza 8 manager David Allison says it is the detail to the characters and historical accuracy that makes the film such a great attraction. Not to mention, its local roots and original blend of mobsters and vampires make for a unique draw.

"We want to bring things to St. Joe that other theaters won't," Allison says. "This is really just a taste of something different and, more than anything, a chance for people to support their local artists."

Plaza 8 played two area first-run films in June to much larger crowds than expected. Allison expects even bigger audiences for "Bonnie and Clyde vs. Dracula."

And for those who do check out the film, you may be pleased to know that Big Atom Productions is returning to St. Joseph in the near future to make a feature Western film produced by Jenn Friend.

"I had never been to St. Joe prior to location scouting for the film, but I absolutely love this city now," she says. "St. Joe has friendly, creative and talented people and the possibilities for filming movies there are as endless as the diversity of locations."

Showtimes for "Bonnie and Clyde vs. Dracula" are 1:05 p.m., 3:10 p.m., 5:15 p.m., 7:25 p.m. and 9:35 p.m. daily. Admission is $5.

For more information on the film, visit www.bcvdmovie.com.