Tobe Hooper dead at 74.
08-27-17, 02:48 AM
#1
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Thread Starter
Tobe Hooper dead at 74.
Wes Craven, George Romero now Tobe Hooper. Man, I really hope John Carpenter isn't still a chainsmoker.
http://variety.com/2017/film/news/to...es-1202539868/
http://variety.com/2017/film/news/to...es-1202539868/
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.
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.
08-27-17, 07:40 AM
#4
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
08-27-17, 08:43 AM
#7
DVD Talk Godfather & 2020 TOTY Winner
Re: Tobe Hooper dead at 74.
Are we sure it wasn't really Steven Spielberg who died?
08-27-17, 08:46 AM
#8
Senior Member
Re: Tobe Hooper dead at 74.
R.I.P. Tobe.
Absolutely loved the guys work. I actually thought he already died.
Coincidentally I've really been grooving on his films recently. In the past several months I've watched "The Funhouse", "Eaten Alive" and "Salem's Lot". Also, in just the past week I've watched the original TCSM 5 times, once was the film by itself, and then 4 more times to check out all 4 of the audio commentaries.
I might have to throw in either TCSM 2 or "Mortuary" next.
Absolutely loved the guys work. I actually thought he already died.
Coincidentally I've really been grooving on his films recently. In the past several months I've watched "The Funhouse", "Eaten Alive" and "Salem's Lot". Also, in just the past week I've watched the original TCSM 5 times, once was the film by itself, and then 4 more times to check out all 4 of the audio commentaries.
I might have to throw in either TCSM 2 or "Mortuary" next.
08-27-17, 08:48 AM
#9
Senior Member
Re: Tobe Hooper dead at 74.
Wes Craven, George Romero now Tobe Hooper. Man, I really hope John Carpenter isn't still a chainsmoker.
http://variety.com/2017/film/news/to...es-1202539868/
http://variety.com/2017/film/news/to...es-1202539868/
08-27-17, 09:41 AM
#10
DVD Talk Limited Edition
08-27-17, 09:56 AM
#11
DVD Talk Legend
08-27-17, 10:14 AM
#12
Re: Tobe Hooper dead at 74.
Texas Chainsaw Massacre is one of the best movies to replicate what a nightmare is like. While other films concentrate on surreal imagery, TCM nails the frustration and sheer exhaustion of the worst nightmares.
Didn't know he directed that Billy Idol video. Neat.
Didn't know he directed that Billy Idol video. Neat.
08-27-17, 10:54 AM
#15
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Tobe Hooper dead at 74.
RIP. Responsible for my favorite Horror film of all time 
08-27-17, 11:07 AM
#16
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Re: Tobe Hooper dead at 74.
It wasn't. However Spielberg is behind the scenes planning the funeral.
I am not a real horror fan. I never "got" Texas Chainsaw Massacre, but I respect it for what it was in the world of cinema. I've tried watching it a few times over the years, thinking maybe it would click with me at some point. It never has.
Poltergeist, on the other hand ... brilliant. Even if the production history is questionable, I think it was a masterpiece. It successfully played on almost every human fear before "It". I remember Joe Bob Briggs making the argument that the chair stacking scene is really the scariest scene. Personally, for me it's that damn clown. I still can't watch that scene today.
I didn't realize he was behind Salem's Lot. I'm not sure if I have ever watched it either ...
Invaders From Mars was fun (as a kid) and I don't think I've seen Lifeforce.
Anyway, another Hollywood legend has moved on. RIP Tobe.
I am not a real horror fan. I never "got" Texas Chainsaw Massacre, but I respect it for what it was in the world of cinema. I've tried watching it a few times over the years, thinking maybe it would click with me at some point. It never has.
Poltergeist, on the other hand ... brilliant. Even if the production history is questionable, I think it was a masterpiece. It successfully played on almost every human fear before "It". I remember Joe Bob Briggs making the argument that the chair stacking scene is really the scariest scene. Personally, for me it's that damn clown. I still can't watch that scene today.
I didn't realize he was behind Salem's Lot. I'm not sure if I have ever watched it either ...
Invaders From Mars was fun (as a kid) and I don't think I've seen Lifeforce.
Anyway, another Hollywood legend has moved on. RIP Tobe.
08-27-17, 11:22 AM
#17
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: Tobe Hooper dead at 74.
Not to get too far off the subject but a couple of weeks ago I watched Texas Chainsaw with the audio commentary on and today it reminds me of how important it is to have that information available in the director's own voice and words preserved forever.
If the future is streaming and the demand for audio commentaries disappears so will this important aspect of the history of any particular film.
RIP
If the future is streaming and the demand for audio commentaries disappears so will this important aspect of the history of any particular film.
RIP
08-27-17, 11:32 AM
#18
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Tobe Hooper dead at 74.
That's one of the first audio commentaries (or maybe the first) I ever listened to. I watched TCM on DVD when I was 16. I'll always remember that his goal was to make the viewer uneasy and disturbed, more than scared. And I think that's why TCM isn't like other horror movies. It's maddening more than frightening. A lot of "torture porn" movies of the early 2000's followed in those footsteps. But TCM is the original.
08-27-17, 11:54 AM
#19
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Tobe Hooper dead at 74.
While I recognize that it's a classic of the genre I've never really been the biggest fan of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. I like The Funhouse and Poltergeist. Invaders From Mars is kind of fun too.
08-27-17, 01:14 PM
#22
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
08-27-17, 06:48 PM
#23
DVD Talk God
Re: Tobe Hooper dead at 74.
Sad to hear about his passing.
TCM is probably one of the most disturbing movies ever that looks like a snuff movie.
TCM is probably one of the most disturbing movies ever that looks like a snuff movie.
08-27-17, 08:54 PM
#24
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Re: Tobe Hooper dead at 74.
Not a horror fan really, but I enjoyed Poltergeist, Invaders from Mars, and Lifeforce. I ought to have all three, but only Lifeforce is in my collection. Have to watch it soon.
R.I.P. Mr. Hooper.
R.I.P. Mr. Hooper.
