He performed one of the crucial fearsome and intense characters to ever slice into the silver display screen in Tobe Hooper’s The Texas Chain Noticed Bloodbath, however in actual life, Gunnar Hansen couldn’t have been extra totally different than his legendary function because the terrifying Leatherface. Almost ten years after his passing, Gunnar’s legacy as a sort and humble individual lives on via the numerous buddies he made whereas engaged on movie units and conversing with followers and friends at horror conventions.
One such buddy is author/director Michael Kallio, who celebrates and pays tribute to Gunnar’s life within the new documentary Dinner with Leatherface. That includes insightful interviews with fellow actors, filmmakers, and buddies of Gunnar, Dinner with Leatherface celebrates the person behind the masks of certainly one of cinema’s most iconic cannibals, exploring not simply his very important function in The Texas Chain Noticed Bloodbath, but additionally spotlighting his work as an creator and a supporter of indie cinema with roles in motion pictures reminiscent of Mosquito, Chainsaw Sally, and Kallio’s personal Hatred of a Minute.
With Dinner with Leatherface now obtainable on Blu-ray and DVD through Anchor Bay Leisure forward of its theatrical launch this month, Every day Useless had the pleasure of catching up with Kallio in a brand new Q&A function to debate the making of Dinner with Leatherface, together with the documentary’s practically nine-year-long journey to the end line, the bold endeavor of interviewing so many individuals who knew Gunnar, teaming up with Anchor Bay to launch the movie, and what he hopes individuals will take away from “the Gunnar Hansen playbook of life.”
Thanks for taking the time to reply questions for us, Michael, and congratulations in your new documentary, Dinner with Leatherface, which takes an informative, entertaining, and altogether heartfelt look again on the legacy of Gunnar Hansen, who introduced one of the crucial iconic cinematic characters to life in The Texas Chain Noticed Bloodbath. What impressed you to rejoice Gunnar’s life with this documentary?
Michael Kallio: Thanks on your curiosity in me and extra importantly your curiosity on this right here movie. There have been just a few elements that impressed this documentary. The principle one was spending time with Gunnar, I’d at all times hear one thing new or fascinating that he had finished or was making ready to do. He was a cosmopolitan man… He did a number of issues. He had many adventures and had tales to inform, so many who I don’t assume I ever heard the identical story twice and that was one of many fascinating facets of Gunnar. I’d typically say, we must always make a documentary about you and he would at all times say that nobody can be that . He was a really humble man, so he didn’t assume anybody would watch a doc about him.
One other piece of inspiration was all of the tales I had heard all through my understanding Gunnar of others assembly him, working with him, but additionally hanging out with him and attending to know him on a private degree. Gunnar appreciated individuals. He liked dialog, particularly if it was clever or inventive discuss, and he liked being social. So, I heard many tales from different individuals about how they hung with Gunnar, had DINNER, and so forth. We used to interrupt bread and exit for drinks and dialog fairly a bit when he visited the Detroit space again after I lived there.
The opposite issue was his passing. When he previous, I had spent the day going via set photographs of my first function, Hatred of a Minute, that he so graciously let me solid him in. I used to be placing collectively an ad-slick/promo piece for the American Movie Market so I may hand it off to a buddy, who was attending, in hopes he may get some curiosity in re-releasing Hatred because the rights had just lately reverted again to me. It was so nice reminiscing about working with Gunnar and making my first function movie with him and the remainder of the solid and crew, and I began occupied with the documentary concept once more. That very same night time, I dropped off the advert slicks to my producer buddy and shortly after, I acquired a textual content from one other buddy sending her condolences about Gunnar. I hadn’t heard but, however sadly it was true. The phrase had gotten onto the web. Gunnar had died. My first thought was “F#&Ok! There goes the doc concept.” After the preliminary shock wore off, it clicked that I wanted to make the doc anyway, inform his story via the individuals he had recognized, labored with, and befriended. I wanted to inform his story and his adventures. Most of all, I wanted to make a tribute to this man who not solely turned a buddy but additionally championed me and my profession. So… lengthy story… properly, lengthy… Gunnar impressed me to make Dinner with Leatherface.
Greater than 50 years after its preliminary launch, Tobe Hooper’s The Texas Chain Noticed Bloodbath stays one of the crucial uncompromising, unforgettable, and unparalleled experiences in cinema, and Gunnar performed an enormous function in making it such a traditional movie. Do you bear in mind seeing The Texas Chain Noticed Bloodbath for the primary time, and why do you assume Hooper’s movie and Gunnar’s efficiency proceed to make an indelible impression on viewers half a century after The Texas Chain Noticed Bloodbath premiered?
Michael Kallio: I noticed Texas Chain Noticed Bloodbath someday within the mid-’80s. I wasn’t a fan of horror movies after I was youthful. I bear in mind strolling out of the theatre with my mother after seeing Raiders of the Misplaced Ark again in 1981. We handed a Poltergeist poster hanging within the hallway. My mother pointed at it and stated,” Oh! That appears enjoyable. Let’s go see THAT when it comes out.” I used to be like, “NO WAY, LADY.” I used to be too nervous to see a film produced by Steven Spielberg, so I used to be not a fan of being scared. My extent of my horror film love was the traditional Common monster motion pictures and something Roger Corman did with Vincent Worth within the Edgar Allan Poe stage of his profession. These monsters didn’t scare me. They have been tragic figures… loners… and being considerably of a brooding artist sort loner (LOL), I associated to these sorts of horror tales however nothing which may “scare” me. That was the case UNTIL I used to be at a buddy’s birthday celebration…
I feel I used to be a sophomore in highschool and we have been going to eat pizza, have cake, and go into his Michigan basement and watch a horror film. I used to be going to bail after cake however was reminded {that a} younger woman, who rumor had it, had a crush on me, was there and she or he was wanting ahead to us watching a spooky film in a darkish basement. For sure, I stayed. I used to be NOT glad about it, however I used to be additionally a fan of this specific woman and I didn’t need to appear like a wimp. The film was the unique Evil Useless. The VHS tape was put into the machine and the film began. The woman death-gripped my arm as if I may save her if a Deadite crawled out of the display screen. Quickly, individuals yelped and screamed, however I used to be laughing… lots. It was like all of the worry had left me and I had a blast, extra so watching everybody squirm, particularly the woman who ultimately began hurting my arm hiding behind it and utilizing it as a makeshift protect.
The following day, I went hog-wild on the video retailer. I rented all of the horror classics, and a type of classics was The Texas Chain Noticed Bloodbath. It was like I used to be desensitized from the worry of horror. I began shopping for Fangoria. I delved into studying Stephen King and Clive Barker books. For some unknown purpose, I used to be obsessive about horror after that night time within the basement watching Evil Useless. I actually bear in mind being some what upset after my first viewing of the unique TCM. I needed it to be gory and it actually isn’t. I bear in mind it making me giggle a bit as a result of, though I didn’t QUITE “get it” immediately, I sensed that it was considerably satirical. Once I rewatch it to today, I undoubtedly contemplate it a masterpiece in each horror and satire. Gunnar’s multi-level efficiency is each lovely and terrifying. The grittiness and documentary really feel offers the movie a visceral tone and ambiance. You possibly can really feel the warmth and dirt and sweat. Hooper’s course is impeccable. It’s undoubtedly past simply watching a film. It’s an expertise and holds up strongly regardless of what number of instances I see it.
You interviewed many individuals who knew Gunnar, together with Barbara Crampton, Betsy Baker, Del Howison, Bruce Campbell, Danielle Harris, Invoice Johnson, Kane Hodder, and so many extra. How did you go about interviewing everybody for this documentary, and the way a lot time did it take to edit the footage and select what to incorporate within the last lower?
Michael Kallio: Properly, I made the choice to make the doc lower than every week after Gunnar’s demise. My first interview was Bruce Campbell’s. Bruce helped produce my first function movie, Hatred of a Minute, which Gunnar starred in, and he has been a mentor and one other champion of my profession for over 30 years now. I figured if I acquired Bruce’s interview, it was a legit doc. Individuals would take me extra severely as a result of he is without doubt one of the traditional faces of horror now and I used to be beginning this mission with actually no cash. I owned a digicam, I owned sound gear, and I owned lights. I figured I may do lots with little to no funding, so I pulled the set off on the mission. I referred to as Bruce up, he agreed to be my first interview topic, and I used to be off to the races. My second interview was Del Howison, proprietor of Darkish Delicacies, a horror-centric bookstore situated in Burbank, CA. He helped produce additionally and acquired others within the mission and helped put the phrase out, acquired me emails, and so forth. for individuals who knew Gunnar due to the numerous, many e book, film, and file signings with horror people from the signing occasions he had in his retailer. Individuals like my producing accomplice James Wilderhancock, buddy Mike Estes, and others helped me get in contact with individuals.
Through the years, I additionally reached out through social media attempting to attach with individuals within the style who had labored with Gunnar or noticed him on the quite a few conventions he attended. So, Dinner with Leatherface ended up being an enormous ardour mission for me. I by no means actually spent any cash, just because I didn’t have it. After these first few interviews, filming began to snowball and we acquired an increasing number of interviews. For about six-ish years of this mission, I used to be filming interviews with who I may, after I may, when it was handy for them. There have been instances the place I’d rent (very inexpensively) an individual or a small crew in different states (and some instances, in different nations), to movie interviews. I’d ship them questions, some generic, some particular, to the topic being interviewed they usually’d movie remotely and ship it again to me. Many of those small crews or individuals did it out of affection for Gunnar as properly, donating their time, which was past sort of them. Throughout these six years, we had a pandemic which slowed the method down tremendously however I nonetheless managed to get an interview within the can right here and there. A kind of interviews was with director of images of each the unique TCM and the remake, Daniel Pearl. During the last two-ish years, a producer and buddy, Lowell Northrop, stepped in and helped me get the remaining solid of the unique Chain Noticed Bloodbath, Barbara Crampton, Kane Holder, and some different individuals I used to be having a little bit of bother monitoring down.
Once we lastly made the choice to cease interviewing and actually begin modifying (I used to be extra targeted on interviews than modifying through the course of, although I edited a bit), Anchor Bay had come on board to assist me end it, so the brand new founders Tom Zambeck and Brian Katz got here on as govt producers, employed a few editors, Josh Wagner and Julia David, to start out going via over 60 interviews, B-roll, movie clips, and so forth., to cobble collectively what had grow to be the finished doc. I jumped in and helped lower too, however Josh and Julia actually did a number of the heavy lifting. It took about 4 months to get it to the end line… perhaps longer (LOL). It’s all a giant blur. It was a number of arduous, around-the-clock work for my edit staff, however they did an incredible job. Actually, you possibly can have made a sequence out of all of the footage we had. When it was all stated and finished, Dinner with Leatherface took virtually 9 years to make. I locked image on the movie, November seventh, 2024, the ninth anniversary of Gunnar’s demise.
Gunnar Hansen’s e book Chain Noticed Confidential: How We Made the World’s Most Infamous Horror Film is a really insightful look into the making of Tobe Hooper’s traditional movie, and it’s certainly one of a number of books that Gunnar wrote. Did you make the most of Chain Noticed Confidential in your individual analysis for this documentary?
Michael Kallio: No. Not at first. I actually needed to make the film about Gunnar and never about The Texas Chain Noticed Bloodbath, which I really feel like I’ve. I needed to focus much less on the factor that made him so well-known and extra on the OTHER stuff he had achieved and about him personally… his passions, his hobbies, his buddies exterior of the “biz,” which he saved very separate. I learn the e book. I listened to the audio model he reads. At one level, I thought of taking quotes from the e book and begin each chapter with an excerpt from the e book throughout the doc. In the end, I spotted, Chainsaw was PART of Gunnar. There was no possible way round it. It was the catalyst to the whole lot that made him who he was throughout the actuality (if there’s such a factor) of showbiz… HIS showbiz world… the horror world, so Chainsaw Bloodbath tales and folks and the conditions that occurred are IN the doc as a result of they needed to be however, I needed to maintain Gunnar’s e book separate and the unique film as separate as I may. I contemplate Dinner with Leatherface as a companion piece to Chainsaw Confidential. Certain, there are TCM tales and such inside my doc, however we additionally plug the e book he wrote concerning the expertise of creating that film and in flip, hopefully lead those that see the doc who haven’t learn the e book to the written materials. They’ll then increase their data about Gunnar and definitely increase the story of how the film was made and acquired.
I like that along with celebrating his function as Leatherface in The Texas Chain Noticed Bloodbath, you additionally spotlight Gunnar’s different performances in movies reminiscent of Hollywood Chainsaw Hookers, Mosquito, and Chainsaw Sally. How vital was it so that you can discover Gunnar’s movie profession past The Texas Chain Noticed Bloodbath?
Michael Kallio: I used to be a fanboy of Gunnar’s earlier than I knew him, so I had seen a few of his different work. Hell, I poached like 4 or 5 actors from Mosquito for Hatred of a Minute (Gunnar included, LOL). Mosquito was popping out the identical time I used to be ramping up pre-production on Hatred, in order that film was crucial to incorporate in Dinner with Leatherface. I had recognized Gary Jones, the director of Mosquito, years prior. We’re each from Michigan. He shot his movie in Michigan. I used to be on the point of shoot my first film in Michigan. So, Gary’s film was undoubtedly on my radar and wanted to be a part of the doc. I used to choose Gunnar up on the airport typically when he needed to come to city to shoot further scenes or pick-ups for Jones’ killer bug flick. So, it was actually vital to get all these different movie tasks, or not less than as lots of them as I may, within the doc, as they have been a part of Gunnar’s love for filmmaking and the way he picked tasks not simply primarily based on the script but additionally how he had a love for inventive individuals and being concerned with that sort of people. Like I beforehand stated, I needed to focus extra on the whole lot else that Gunnar had been part of, each within the film world but additionally in his private life, his documentary world, his writing world, his hobbies, and so forth.
All through your conversations and analysis for this documentary, what was probably the most shocking or memorable factor that you just realized about Gunnar?
Michael Kallio: Each time I used to be with Gunnar, I realized one thing new, bizarre, or fantastic, so listening to issues from all his buddies, colleagues, and friends have been all fairly memorable and never too shocking. The one factor that pops into my head was advised to me by my producer, Lowell Northrop, on the best way to movie an interview… I consider it was Kane Hodder’s interview, however perhaps not… Anyway, he had revealed to me that when he met Gunnar, they ended up speaking about horror movies and he advised Lowell the film The Exorcist terrified him. Gunnar was freaked out by The Exorcist! This massive, burly, mountain of a person was terrified of William Friedkin’s traditional horror masterpiece. It made me giggle that Gunnar can be weirded out by that movie… and but, I utterly perceive it. It’s such a well-made film. It freaks me out, too. Neither Gunnar nor I may or would need to watch that film… Kinda humorous, however I get it.
It’s arduous to consider that it’s already been practically ten years since Gunnar handed away, however his legacy continues to resonate with viewers and those that labored with him. Do you’ve a favourite reminiscence of assembly Gunnar and speaking with him?
Michael Kallio: Each time I frolicked with Gunnar was an expertise in and of itself. Whether or not it was going to dinner after choosing him up on the airport, having breakfast with him at a conference, driving him to a set or simply speaking to him on the cellphone, Gunnar was at all times a pleasure to converse and dangle with. The primary time I met Gunnar was a life-changing expertise… certainly one of many. I used to be a fanboy truly working at a conference. The corporate I labored for, Gags & Video games, a novelty firm that additionally offered masks and make-up and the like, had their very own line of horror props and masks created by my boss and buddy, Jeff Wehenkel. Jeff and I had a desk on the present promoting our horror wares alongside the friends, which included Tom Savini, Angus Scrimm, and Gunnar Hansen.
I had already been engaged on a screenplay and had Gunnar in thoughts for the primary unhealthy man function. I had even shot a trailer on Tremendous 8 for the movie, which we have been going to make use of as a software to boost cash. That movie was referred to as Southern Hospitality (the Tremendous 8 trailer is a particular function on the Blu-ray of Dinner with Leatherface), and I actually needed to speak to Gunnar about being in my first function movie. I used to be nervous. He was intimidating… He was Leatherface, in any case. I lastly acquired the heart to strategy him after I noticed he had a small lull at his desk. Once I acquired to his desk I requested for an autograph on a photograph of the notorious “first kill” of William Vail within the unique film. We began speaking concerning the unimaginable sound design and music, and the way they made that our favourite scene within the film, so intense. I discussed the film I needed him to be in. He gave me his mailing deal with and cellphone quantity, expressing curiosity in Southern Hospitality and after about 45 minutes, a line began to kind, so I thanked him and left. He was such an extremely good man. I went residence after that weekend and despatched him the script. A pair weeks later, he referred to as me and after an hour or so of simply chit-chat, he stated he liked the script, gave me some actually nice notes and the remainder is historical past. We turned buddies, had many cellphone calls, and when he began visiting and dealing in Michigan, many dinners and nice instances hanging out.
Sadly, as a consequence of circumstances out of my arms, the mission fell aside. Soho (as we referred to as it) was lifeless. This leads as much as one other certainly one of my FAVORITE recollections of Gunnar… just a few, truly. My “producers” on Soho went their manner and I went mine. I wrote Hatred of a Minute and created a job with Gunnar in thoughts to star. Once I was completed with the script and felt good about it, I despatched it to Gunnar with a be aware on what occurred to Southern Hospitality, for which I had paid Gunnar for a letter of intent (to entice buyers with a “star” in hopes to boost cash for the movie). A few days later, Gunnar referred to as and I used to be capable of lament of the falling aside of the mission, however I used to be going to do Hatred as a substitute and would he be part of it. He understood and was type in comforting me as I used to be fairly bummed the unique mission utterly crumbling. He stated he would learn the brand new script and get again to me ASAP. A couple of days later, I used to be out operating errands. Once I returned residence, there was a message on my answering machine from Gunnar. His transient message was, “Learn the script and actually liked it. Test your mail in just a few days.” I referred to as him again, enthusiastic about what was coming to me within the mail, however acquired his machine. Lower than every week later, I acquired an envelope from Gunnar. Inside was a brand new letter of intent… the one modifications that have been made was the title of the film and the date. I HAD GUNNAR FOR MY NEW MOVIE!
A year-ish or so later, we have been taking pictures Hatred. Right here I used to be, appearing with Gunnar Hansen… Leatherface himself, on the set of my function debut. Spoiler alert! We have been taking pictures a scene the place I used to be going to kill Gunnar’s character… I used to be about to KILL LEATHERFACE! Who would have thought a film-loving child from Michigan would get to satisfy not one however two of his horror heroes: Bruce Campbell, who was serving to produce Hatred, and Gunnar Hansen the OG Leatherface, engaged on my first film. I used to be (and nonetheless am) over the moon. That doesn’t occur daily and it was taking place to me. It was undoubtedly a factor to recollect.
In the end, what do you hope viewers take away from Dinner with Leatherface?
Michael Kallio: The data of this nice man and the way he lived. How he was type and captivated with artwork and writing and movie and crusing and LIFE! I hope individuals see what an unimaginable human he was and attempt to be just a bit bit kinder, nicer… to like life, even when it’s just a bit bit extra. I need individuals to see that, like Gunnar did for me and so many, he was an instance of decency and the way he had such an affect on others in probably the most optimistic manner. I hope individuals take a web page or twelve from the Gunnar Hansen playbook of life. I do know I’m attempting as greatest as I can. Wow… That’s the shortest reply I’ve given… LOL!
When can horror followers sit up for sitting down for Dinner with Leatherface, and what platforms will it’s launched on?
Michael Kallio: The Blu-ray with a bunch of enjoyable particular options drops February twenty fifth, 2025. It will likely be enjoying in theaters across the nation (and hopefully, quickly the world) beginning in March and can maintain enjoying theaters till we run out of them (not less than via June or July… perhaps longer). Streaming? I presently don’t know when or what platforms it can stream on. We’re specializing in bodily media and theatrical first, however maintain these eyeballs peeled and your ears to the grindstone. We, as in Anchor Bay and myself, shall be updating you all when one thing new occurs with Dinner with Leatherface.
Along with Dinner with Leatherface, do you’ve every other upcoming tasks which you could tease for our readers?
Michael Kallio: I DO… There’s some stuff I can’t actually speak about as they’re within the preliminary phases BUT, they’re thrilling. I’m re-releasing my first movie starring Gunnar, Hatred of a Minute, on Blu-ray and streaming quickly. I’ve a ’50s sci-fi spoof (that includes the TRUE appearing debut of musician and actor Jack White) referred to as Mutant Swinger from Mars that Anchor Bay shall be releasing bodily and on streaming this yr. I’ve another documentaries I’m directing and some I’m serving to produce… one referred to as Howard the Doc, a doc concerning the fanbase of the film Howard the Duck, which shall be dropping from Anchor Bay this yr as properly. One very last thing I’ve in growth is a sci-fi/horror/comedy referred to as Rednecks Vs. Aliens, so hopefully we shall be filming that quickly.
Thanks very a lot on your time, Michael!
Michael Kallio: THANK YOU! And thanks to everybody who acquired via my long-windedness! Thanks for watching!
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To be taught extra about Dinner with Leatherface, go to:
Dinner with Leatherface: Documentary about Gunnar Hansen, the actor who portrayed Leatherface in “The Texas Chainsaw Bloodbath” (1974). Mates, colleagues, filmmakers, and fellow actors share private tales and focus on the dichotomy between the maniacal chainsaw-wielding character he performed on-screen and the very clever, inventive, soft-spoken man he truly was in actual life.
Bonus Supplies
- Audio commentary with author/director Michael Kallio and editor Josh Wagner
- Prolonged Interview with filmmaker and historian MIchael Felsher
- Conference Chat with actress Danielle Harris
- Southern Hospitality Trailer – 2022 Remastered, Recut, HD
- Tales of Gunner Hansen
Forged & Crew
Actors:
- Barbara Crampton
- Danielle Harris
- Bruce Campbell
- Gunnar Hansen
- Edwin Neal
- R.A. Mihailoff
- Kane Hodder
- Dave Sheridan
- Felissa Rose
- Michelle Bauer
- Tiffany Shepis
- Brian O’Halloran
- Debbie Rochon
- Fred Olen Ray
- Brett Wagner
- Betsy Baker
- Allen Danziger
- Kim Henkel
- Daniel Pearl
- Joe R. Lansdale
- Jeff Burr
- Tony Timpone
- Michael Sonye
- Del Howison
Director: Michael Kallio
Producer: Lowell Northrop
Trailer through JoBlo Horror:
