I SAW DINNER WITH LEATHERFACE

Dinner with Leatherface, directed/scripted by Michael (Rednecks Vs. Aliens/Hatred of a Minute) Kallio and produced by Lowell (From Dusk Till Dawn/Hap and Leonard) Northrop, is a bio-doc that explores the late, Icelandic actor/writer/director/producer Gunnar Hansen and his portrayal of the brutish Leatherface in Tobe Hooper/Kim Henkel's The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. 

In addition to the 1974, horror classic, Hansen's subsequent movies are referenced and discussed, including Hatred of a Minute, Repligator, Campfire Tales, Mosquito, The Demon Lover, Hellblock 13, Gimme Skelter, Next Victim, Freakshow, Witchunter, Rachel's Attic, Apocalypse and the Beauty Queen, Brutal Massacre: A Comedy, Death House, Swarm of the Snakehead, Chainsaw Sally and Hollywood Chainsaw Hookers. However, though the queue is impressive, it still rolls back to good ol' Leatherface.

A number of noted, genre performers reflect on Hanson's pop-cultural contribution, some offering substantial detail in doing so: Bruce Campbell, Theresa Tilly, Betsy Baker, Barbara Crampton, Evil Nate Parsons, Debbie Rochon, Felissa Rose, Del Howison, April Burril, Danielle Harris, Linnea Quigley, Michelle Bauer and fellow Texas Chain Saw icons, Edwin (the Hitchhiker) Neal, John (Grandpa) Dugan, William (Kirk) Vail, Alan (Jerry) Danzinger, Barbara (Sally) Burns, Teri (Pam) McMinn and cinematographer Daniel Pearl. The other actors who've portrayed Leatherface are also featured, expressing their appreciation for Hansen's chilling portrayal and the special way he influenced their lives.  

Hansen's committed friend, Kane Hodder, who played Friday the 13th's Jason Voorhees more than any other actor, speaks of his special bond with Hansen and how he adapted the Leatherface persona for a Chain Saw video game. 

To its advantage, a hefty portion of the movie comes from Hansen's own words, which allows viewers to get an up-close and personal view of the artist. That Hansen was a Renaissance man, and a most particular one at that (having seen fit to reject a role in Wes Craven's The Hills Have Eyes) is covered at length, with acknowledgement of his books, poetry, documentaries and causes.

It's too bad that Hooper, art director Robert Burns and legendary, Texas Chain Saw Massacre costars Jim Siedow and Paul A. Partain weren't with us to weave commentary into this fine bio-doc (one can only imagine the insights they'd have shared), but as it stands, Dinner with Leatherface is still a comprehensive product in light of the circumstance and stands as nothing less than historic, horror-lore gold. 

Dinner with Leatherface can be viewed for free on Tubi. It's well worth a view, whether one is a Texas Chain Saw Massacre devotee or a general, cult-cinema buff. 

https://tubitv.com/movies/100036789/dinner-with-leatherface?start=true&tracking=google-feed&utm_source=google-feed&startPos=0

TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE 1974: A CLASSIC MONSTERS OF THE MOVIES TRIBUTE

When it comes to raw, visceral horror, Tobe Hooper's The Texas Chain Saw Massacre has no equal. Now, Classic Monsters of the Movies' Nige Burton and Jamie Jones cover the 1974 groundbreaker as its enters its 50th anniversary release.

This frightening, rural masterpiece is complemented by a basic but effective, documentary-ish chronicle, cowritten by Hooper with Kim Henkel, ignited by David Pearl's steamy cinematography, Bob A. Burns' skeletal sculptures and Hooper and Wayne Bell's chilling, sound-effects score.

The cast, which employs an ensemble of then unknowns, flavors the movie's saturating realism: Marilyn Burns, Alan Danziger, Jim Siedow, Edwin Neal, William Vail, Teri McMinn, Paul A. Partain, John Dugan, John Larroquette (as the foreboding narrator) and of course, Gunnar Hansen as the hulking, Ed Gein surrogate with manic swagger, Leatherface. 

To bitter-sweeten the grisly pot, the commemorative issue includes sharp, jolting photos from the production and fabulous, John Febonio artwork, guaranteeing that Chain Saw fans come away well fed. 

Order this macabre, Classic Monsters contribution at 

https://www.classic-monsters.com/shop/

Collectible Time: Texas Chainsaw Massacre/Leatherface Lobby Cards

Right on the heels of my landing some nifty Mad Max paper collectibles (see Jan '20 post), my sultry gal pal, Melody gifted me a lobby-card set based on another favorite: Tobe Hooper's "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre".

She purchased these vivid Gunnar Hansen/Leatherface tributes at a Pennsylvania flea market, no less. They appear to be reproductions, but dandy in detail all the same.

Two are German based (see above and below) and measure 11" x 14". 

The other is a 10" x 11", U.S. image and oh-so-chilling for its homegrown grittiness. (It's also a tad nettling to see the notorious Bryanston distribution label. Those who know the history will understand why.)

These graphic gifts fill a dark spot in my gory heart. (It's sure nice to have such a sweet, on-the-lookout compatriot who knows my macabre interests way too well.  XOXO, dear Melody!!!)

RIP GUNNAR HANSEN...

FAREWELL, GUNNAR HANSEN...

You created one of cinema's most frightening characters, but to those who knew the man behind the mask, your gentle soul will be remembered most.