AUSTIN, Texas — A legendary horror movie filmed right here in Central Texas is turning 50 this year, and the anniversary celebration kicks off during South by Southwest (SXSW).
MPI Media Group and Dark Sky Films announced that the festivities celebrating "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" will begin with a social activation at the SXSW Film Festival. Horror fans can stop by The Stay Put on Rainey Street this Saturday to watch an Austin-based ice sculptor create a bloody carving in real-time using – naturally – a chainsaw. The sculpture will unveil the new 50th anniversary TCM logo, featuring a chainsaw-wielding Leatherface.
The live sculpture demo will happen from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 9, with photo opportunities to follow until 7 p.m.
Brand ambassadors will also be on-site for giveaways and to provide information about "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: 50th Anniversary Chainsaw Edition," a multi-disc set that will include a new 4K UHD edition of the film, a Blu-ray of bonus features and a VHS release. The collector's set will, of course, be housed in a box shaped like a chainsaw that will feature sounds from the film when it's opened.
A Central Texas connection
"The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" was released on Oct. 11, 1974, and has gone on to spawn a franchise that includes sequels, prequels, video games and more. It is widely considered one of the best and most influential horror films of all time.
But before all that notoriety, the original film was produced with an extremely low budget and shot in locations across Central Texas, using a cast of relatively unknown actors, including some University of Texas at Austin students. According to KVUE's media partners at the Austin American-Statesman, the Village theater on Anderson Lane was one of four theaters in the world to screen the film when it was originally released.
Some of the filming locations have gone on to become tourist attractions. For example, you can grab some barbecue and book a cabin at the gas station featured at the film. That business is, fittingly, called The Gas Station.
You can also dine inside the Kingsland, Texas, house used as Leatherface's home in the film. Previously called Grand Central Café, the Llano County restaurant now bears the name Hooper's – an homage to the film's director and screenwriter, the late Tobe Hooper.
More 50th anniversary events in 2024
MPI Media Group and Dark Sky Films said through this spring and summer, there are numerous special appearances and panels scheduled at conventions through the U.S. to celebrate the film's 50th anniversary. Among them is what the companies describe as "one of the largest Chainsaw reunions ever," with 12 guests set to appear at Texas Frightmare Weekend in Dallas in May.
In August, the rerelease of the restored film will premiere at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. After that, MPI Media Group and Dark Sky Films said the film will screen in select theaters around the country. No word yet on whether any Austin theaters are on the list.
