Texas Chainsaw Massacre

Gunnar Hansen, best known for playing the chainsaw-wielding Leatherface in Tobe Hooper’s 1974 classic The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, has passed away at the age of 68. Although he was known best for playing one of the most terrifying killers in movie history, Hansen was always described as a kind and soft-spoken man, happy to speak with his fans at horror conventions across the U.S. about his iconic film role.

Even though it’s got a fairly straightforward title, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre actually only has one on-screen death by chainsaw. In fact, you see more people killed with a sledgehammer than you do with a chainsaw. That’s just one of the many facts packed into the latest episode of You Think You Know Movies, which looks at one of the most bizarre crimes in the annals of American history, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre.

There are a few certainties in this world, and the persistence of horror franchises is one of them. But every once in a while, they tend to surprise you. We reported a while back about 'Leatherface,' the upcoming prequel to last year's mediocre 'Texas Chainsaw 3D,' but now it's picked up a rather talented French directing duo, which makes this prequel pretty interesting all of a sudden.

I'm deep in 'The Texas Chain Saw Massacre' country. 40 years ago, director Tobe Hooper, a skeleton crew and a ragtag cast of unknown actors made horror history in these parts. Cinema, and the great state of Texas, were never the same.

Fans of last year's 'Texas Chainsaw' reboot/sequel will be happy to know that there is another installment on the way, but this time it's a prequel. And since it will focus on the origins of the most famous face in the franchise, it's been given the creative title of 'Leatherface.'

Marilyn Burns, best known for playing the role of Sally in Tobe Hooper's horror classic 'The Texas Chain Saw Massacre,' passed away in her home yesterday. She was 65. The best way to honor her memory is to share my interview with her, the last she ever participated in. Portions of this conversation will appear in our larger article on the anniversary of 'Texas Chain Saw Massacre' (which is coming soon), but this format better shows off her wit and graciousness. It's a peek into the memories of a woman who was a key player in not just horror history, but movie history.