Record 01
Setting Up Franklin's Murder
Ted Nicolaou, Wayne Bell, and Tobe Hooper arrange the scene in which Leatherface kills Franklin.
The making of the 1974 film
Behind the scenes
Rare photographs of the cast, crew, equipment, practical effects, locations, and improvised work that built the original film.
20 production records
A brutal shoot, preserved frame by frame.
These images document the people and practical decisions behind the finished film. Captions have been cleaned for readability while preserving the information attached to the original archive.
Record 02
Lou Perryman, Tobe Hooper, and Daniel Pearl
The crew sets up a shot with an Eclair NPR 16mm camera. Lou Perryman later played L.G. in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2.
Record 03
Daniel Pearl and Tobe Hooper
Cinematographer Daniel Pearl and director Tobe Hooper stand together in the field during production.
Record 04
Shooting the Van Sequence
Tobe Hooper works with Paul A. Partain and Marilyn Burns during one of the van scenes.
Record 05
Bob Burns and Wayne Bell
Inside the chicken room, Wayne Bell holds the microphone and a can of compressed air used to encourage the chicken to cluck.
Record 06
Kim Henkel
Kim Henkel, associate producer and co-author of the original story and screenplay.
Record 07
Preparing Marilyn Burns
Dottie Pearl applies Karo syrup-based stage blood to Marilyn Burns for the final sequence. The mixture dried painfully in the Texas heat.
Record 08
The Getaway Scene
Tobe Hooper, Daniel Pearl, and Wayne Bell prepare the final road sequence on the southern side of Old County Road 172.
Record 09
Directing the Barbecue Shack Scene
Tobe Hooper works with Marilyn Burns, Daniel Pearl, and Jim Siedow at the Bastrop barbecue shack location.
Record 10
Hitchhiker Makeup
Dottie Pearl applies makeup to Edwin Neal for the Hitchhiker's death during the final road sequence.
Record 11
Preparing Kirk's Death
William Vail, Dottie Pearl, Tobe Hooper, and Gunnar Hansen prepare material connected to Kirk's death inside the house.
Record 12
Louis Peraino and Bryanston
Louis "Butchie" Peraino was connected with Bryanston Pictures, the company that made the film's first distribution agreement with Vortex.
Record 13
The Hitchhiker Impact Setup
Dummies are positioned in front of the truck while the crew prepares the moment when the Hitchhiker is struck.
Record 14
Preparing the Final Scene
Marilyn Burns, Dottie Pearl, and members of the production prepare for the film's final sequence.
Record 15
Tobe Hooper and the Corpse
Submitted by David Miller. Gunnar Hansen identified Tobe Hooper as the person attending to the corpse prop.
Record 16
Gunnar Hansen, Tobe Hooper, and Bob Burns
The three men prepare material for the final sequences of the film. Photograph submitted by David Miller.
Record 17
A Removed Hitchhiker Shot
Dottie Pearl applies makeup while Edwin Neal lies on the ground and Tobe Hooper positions a rock beneath his chin. The planned post-impact shot was removed.
Record 18
Inside the Chicken Room
Bob Burns and Tobe Hooper stand together inside the family house chicken room.
Record 19
Bob Burns and His Props
Production designer Robert A. Burns with a selection of the objects and set dressing created for the film.
Record 20
The Dr. W.E. Barnes Material
Photographs and production information preserved through material associated with Dr. W.E. Barnes.