While anything can be said about Tobe Hooper’s later career, one thing is fact – his 1974 film The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is one of the greatest motion pictures ever filmed. It helped inspire a genre, steering horror films away from dark castles and third world countries and into the reality of our own rural American backroads.
Hooper unfortunately passed late last year, not too long after fellow horror filmmaker George A. Romero. As such, it was expected that this year’s Oscars would pay tribute to the two filmmakers during their annual “In Memorium” segment at the end of their shows.
Romero did in fact receive acknowledgment, but to many fans’ disappointment, Hooper did not. It’s especially unfortunate considering the Oscars used clips from The Texas Chain Saw Massacre during a montage at the beginning of the broadcast. So how could they forget to acknowledge Hooper?
Whether it was the result of clueless ignorance, or a desire to turn away from the horror genre that mainstream audiences seem to ignore, it’s almost disrespectful that Hooper not get some kind of mention.
With all that said, however, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre remains an incredibly iconic and successful vision of horror. It’ll likely continue to surpass many of the films that have won Oscars over the years; and it’ll likely continue to transcend the careers of those who choose to frown down upon it or its wonderful director.
How do you feel about the Oscars leaving Tobe Hooper out? Be sure to tell us your thoughts in the comments!