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Tobe Hooper, `Texas Chain Saw Massacre' and `Poltergeist' Director, Dies at 74
 
Deputy Editor
Pat Saperstein
Deputy Editor @Variety_PatS
 
August 26, 2017 | 11:35PM PT
 
Tobe Hooper, the horror director best known for helming "The Texas Chain Saw
Massacre" and "Poltergeist," died Saturday in Sherman Oaks, Calif., according
to the Los Angeles County Coroner. He was 74. The circumstances of his death
were not known.
 
The 1974 "Texas Chain Saw Massacre" became one of the most influential horror
films of all time for its realistic approach and deranged vision. Shot for less
than $300,000, it tells the story of a group of unfortunate friends who
encounter a group of cannibals on their way to visit an old homestead. Though
it was banned in several countries for violence, it was one of the most
profitable independent films of the 1970s in the U.S. The character of
Leatherface was loosely based on serial killer Ed Gein.
 
Hooper also directed the 1986 sequel "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2," which
took a more comedic approach, as part of his Cannon Films deal.
 
The 1982 "Poltergeist," written and produced by Steven Spielberg, also became a
classic of the genre. The story of a family coping with a house haunted by
unruly ghosts starred JoBeth Williams and Craig T. Nelson. The film was a box
office success for MGM and became the eighth-highest grossing film of the year.
 
After "Poltergeist," Hooper directed two movies for Cannon Films, "Lifeforce"
and "Invaders from Mars," a remake of the 1953 alien movie.
 
His 1979 CBS miniseries adaptation of Stephen King's bestselling novel "Salem's
Lot" is considered by many fans to be a high-water mark in televisual horror.
Combining the intrigue of a nighttime soap opera with the gothic atmosphere of
a classic horror film, the two-part program was eventually reedited and
released theatrically throughout Europe.
 
He continued working in television and film throughout the 1990s and 2000s, but
none of the films had the impact of his early works. His last film, the 2013
"Djinn," was set in the United Arab Emirates and produced by Image Nation. His
other more recent works included "Toolbox Murders," "Mortuary" and two episodes
of "Masters of Horror."
 
Among his other works was the music video for Billy Idol's "Dancing With
Myself." In 2011 he co-authored a post-modern horror novel titled "Midnight
Movie" in which he himself appeared as the main character.
 
Willard Tobe Hooper was born in Austin, Texas and taught college before
starting out in documentaries.
 
He is survived by two sons.
 
 
Regards,
 
Roger

--- PQUSA