She was at the epicentre of one of the most intense and influential films of all time so it’s no shock that tributes have been pouring in from TEXAS CHAINSAW aficionados for actress Marilyn Burns, who has died at the age of 65. She was reportedly found at her home, located appropriately enough in the state that made her name.
Pennsylvania-born Burns had an illustrious start to her movie career in Robert Altman’s BREWSTER McCLOUD (1970) and continued working with innovative directors when Tobe Hooper cast her in her most infamous role – that of Sally Hardesty, who fell foul of the appalling Sawyer clan in the broiling Texas heat, becoming the only survivor of the ensuing mayhem. With a plot partially-derived from the Ed Gein murders, TCM made a huge impact with an almost documentary-style format. It ushered in one of the icons of horror in Leatherface, the hulking, skin-wearing manchild who at one point alarmingly appears in a lady’s wig. The cast and crew endured various hardships including being cooped up in a house with the stench of rotting carcasses. However, despite being put through the wringer the star was grateful for the opportunity, commenting in 2004:
I was just so grateful it was over… I probably was the happiest girl alive. I ran through dark woods chased by someone holding a live chainsaw! Where was my head? Sure it was tough, but I enjoyed every minute of it. I wouldn’t have traded the experience for love or money.
She went on to make cameo appearances in TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE: THE NEXT GENERATION (1994) and most recently 2013’s TEXAS CHAINSAW 3D. A reunion with director Hooper happened with 1977 crocodile-based fright flick EATEN ALIVE.
Despite being best-known for taking part in harrowing slices of cinema, the hundreds of warm responses from fans on social media show that something good really did come out of something terrible.
