The cast and crew of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre endured an incredible ordeal during the film’s production and release. The events that followed have become the stuff of legend in the horror genre. Below is a chronological timeline of key events, from the early beginnings to the long-term impact.
The Democratic Governor of Texas, Governor Smith, establishes the Texas Film Commission.
Tobe Hooper and Kim Henkle form Vortex, Inc. (with Kim as president and Tobe as vice president). They approach Bill Parsley for funding for “this simple little ol’ horror movie.†Bill forms MAB Inc. and invests $60,000 – in return owning half of TCM and half the profits. (Marilyn Burns once claimed MAB stood for Marilyn Ann Burns, though Parsley denies it.)
Primary filming begins on TCM in Austin, Round Rock, and Gonzales, Texas, lasting 32 days.
As funds run out, P.I.T.S. provides $23,532 in exchange for 19% of Vortex's profits, leaving Kim and Tobe with 45% between them and the remaining 36% divided among 20 cast and crew members.
Warren Skaaren resigns from the Texas Film Commission to become the movie’s “producers' representative,†securing maximum exposure and negotiating the distribution agreement.
David Foster arranges a private screening for Bryanston's West Coast executives, earning 1.5% of Vortex's profits and a deferred fee of $500.
Ron Bozman and Warren Skaaren are offered a contract of $225,000 and 35% of the worldwide distribution profits by Louis (Butchi) Peraino of Bryanston Distributors. Bozman later remarks, "We made a deal with the devil, [sigh], and I guess that, in a way, we got what we deserved."
After the contract with Bryanston is signed, the first check arrives. Following deductions – investors recouping their money, payment of fees, and legal expenses – only $8,100 remains for the 20 filmmakers.
A festive Dallas press conference is held, and TCM premieres in 200 theaters across Texas.
Tobe and Kim secure a one-year contract with Universal Pictures to develop new movie ideas.
TCM is accepted by the Museum of Modern Art as part of a “study†collection. Financial reports show that the filmmakers’ 35% share amounts to $5,734, sparking group meetings among cast, crew, and investors amid rumors of unpaid payments.
Some cast and crew hire the accounting firm Solomon & Finger to audit Bryanston's books, but after six months the firm reports that Bryanston cannot provide a detailed breakdown of film rental charges.
Ira Teller reveals that Bryanston had earned $6 million in rentals from TCM, roughly translating to $12–$20 million in box office sales.
TCM opens in London, ranking No. 3 among top grossing films by 'Boxoffice'. Joseph Brenner Associates assume the rights by paying off a $10,000 debt to the National Film Service. Rumors of Mafia ties and legal advice deter cast and crew from suing Bryanston.
The cast and crew settle out of court with Bryanston. Bryanston agrees to pay $400,000 for their share of profits and relinquish control of the movie, but compensation is never seen amid a complex web of sub-distributors.
Most filmmakers move on with their careers; some remain entangled with TCM's legacy. Investors rename their profits corporation "Trail of Tears" while Bob Kuhn is rehired to handle the Bryanston settlement.
TCM has earned over $6 million at American box offices, yet after deductions the filmmakers receive only about $45,000 in profits.
Wizard Video acquires the rights to TCM for $200,000 – the highest price ever paid for an independent film at that time.
TCM is released on DVD by Pioneer as a collectors’ edition, featuring commentaries by Tobe Hooper, Gunnar Hansen, and Daniel Pearl, along with unseen footage, bloopers, trailers, and stills.