| Tobe HooperBorn 25 January 1943 in Austin, Texas, USA
Tobe Hooper was completely unknown when he 1974 with a crash directed "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre". A film which awakened so many feelings and been so much debated that it well-deserved got a reputation of being the most notorious and famous horrorfilm that been made. It had to almost alone act as a punchbag when the video nasties debate was as its worst. People who never had seen the film told in the least little detail that they had seen the chainsaw chop off both arms and legs. Something that is absolutely wrong. "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" has a certain documentary atmosphere which makes it very scary to watch, but contains very little graphic violence. The controversial story about a cannibalistic family in Texas who murder and slaughter the poor devils who get lost, was loosely based on Americaīs most famous serial killer Ed Gein.
Though "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" became a big cult favorite, wasnīt Tobe Hooper quite accepted by Hollywood. His next film, "Eaten Alive" from 1976, dealt with a hotel-keeper who has a giant croc under the hotel that he feed with his guests. A very bizarre flick which reminds much of "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" in atmosphere. Unfortunately the only thing that is near to "TCM". "Salemīs Lot" (1979) received however a little better reviews. A vampire tale made for TV from a Stephen King novel. Itīs a bit lame because of the lack of the gory effects, but has instead a good story and suspense.
"The Funhouse" from 1981 was an average Hooper film about two young couples who aim to spend the night at a carnival. The night doesnīt quite be what they expected it should be. In 1982 came Tobe Hooperīs great breakthrough in Hollywood. In co-operation with Steven Spielberg made he the extremely successful ghost story "Poltergeist". Hooper stood for the direction but this was producer Spielbergīs film, no question about that. Spielberg set his mark on every picture, and there are close points of similarity with his own "E.T." which came out the same year. The result was a nice and somewhat childish horror film, but very charming.
In mid-eighties made Tobe a couple of science fiction movies. First came Lifeforce (1985) about space vampires. The first half which is quite interesting take for the most part place in outer space, and itīs obvious that "Alien" is the source of inspiration. Unfortunately are the overall impression destroyed by the uninspired second half, which is an endless sleeping-pill. His other science fiction film, "Invaders from Mars" (1986), was a remake of the old classic from 1953. Everything here is utterly bad, and was Tobeīs lowest mark yet.
The same year made he the eagerly awaited follow-up, "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2". It was considerably gorier than its forerunner, but was lacking the special atmosphere that made "TCM" so terrifying. It was more like a parody that ridicule the characters from the first one. "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2" was Tobe Hooperīs last watchable film. During the nineties has Tobe gone from bad to worse. The most memorable flick there is "The Mangler", and that is saying quite a lot. Tobe has never managed to surpass his awesome debut. That has been a dilemma for him, because everything heīs made after that has been compared to "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre", the film that for ever will be associated with him.
Written by Kent Palmgren.
Filmography:
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)Eaten Alive (1976)Salemīs Lot (1979)The Funhouse (1981)Poltergeist (1982)Lifeforce (1985)Invaders from Mars (1986)The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 (1986)Spontaneous Combustion (1989)Iīm Dangerous Tonight (1990)Night Terrors (1993)The Mangler (1995)The Apartment Complex (1999)Crocodile (2000)
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