Robert A. Burns

Robert A. Burns (May 27, 1944 – May 31, 2004) was an American art director, production designer, and actor who worked on many films including The Texas Chain Saw Massacre,[2] The Hills Have Eyes,[3] The Howling,[2] Re-Animator,[2] and From Beyond.[2]

Robert A. Burns
Robert A. Burns
Born(1944-05-27)27 May 1944
Died31 May 2004(2004-05-31) (aged 60)[1]
OccupationArt director
Years active1974–1989
Notable workThe Texas Chain Saw Massacre
The Howling
Re-Animator

Career

Burns attended the University of Texas where he was editor of The Texas Ranger.[4]

Burns met Tobe Hooper at an Austin party and would assist in production of Hooper's 1966 short documentary film Down Friday Street and then design the press kit for Hooper's 1969 film Eggshells. [5]

Burns next worked for Hooper as the casting director[6] and art director[7] of Tobe Hooper's 1974 horror film The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. His work on the film is notable for the realistic "bone decor" of the Sawyer Family's farm house.[8]

His work garnered notice in the industry and work on other future horror classics followed including Wes Craven's The Hills Have Eyes, Joe Dante's The Howling, and Stuart Gordon's Re-Animator.

Burns was also an expert on Rondo Hatton[7] and had aspired to make a film about the actor.[9] His passion was such that he held parties to celebrate Hatton's birthday.[10] The 2020 documentary titled Rondo and Bob [11] looks at the lives of both Burns and Hatton.[12]

Death

Burns died on May 31, 2004.[1] It was reported that he was suffering from kidney cancer.[13] His death was investigated as a suicide: he had left a farewell note on his website with a photo of himself stretched out in front of a tombstone with his name on it.[14]

Selected filmography

Art director

Actor

Director

References
  1. "'Chainsaw Massacre' art director, 60, dies". United Press International. June 3, 2004. Retrieved January 18, 2017.
  2. Kosanke, Dave (May 2011). "30 Years of The Howling". HorrorHound. 1 (29): 41.
  3. Muir, John Kenneth (2004). Wes Craven: The Art of Horror. McFarland & Company. p. 59. ISBN 9780786419234.
  4. Whittaker, Robert (October 3, 2014). "Cowboys vs. Hippies: The Texas Chain Saw Massacre Subtext". The Austin Chronicle. Retrieved April 14, 2017.
  5. Rose, James (2013). The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (Devil's Advocate). Liverpool University Press. p. 37. ISBN 1906733643.
  6. Hansen, Gunnar (2013). Chain Saw Confidential. Chronicle Books. p. 15. ISBN 9781452129501.
  7. Jaworzyn, Stefan (2003). The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Companion. Titan Books. p. 251. ISBN 9781840236606.
  8. Muir, John Kenneth (2009). Eaten Alive at a Chainsaw Massacre: The Films of Tobe Hooper. McFarland & Company. p. 14. ISBN 9781476613352.
  9. Duryea, Bill (June 27, 1999). "In love with a monster". St. Petersburg Times. Retrieved January 18, 2017.
  10. "Bill "Leatherface" Johnson Interview!!!". Brain Hammer's Picks From The Crypt. October 5, 2011. Retrieved January 18, 2017.
  11. "Rondo and Bob". Retrieved June 4, 2017.
  12. "Documentary on man who put the gore in 'Texas Chainsaw Massacre'". Austin American-Statesman. June 4, 2017. Retrieved June 4, 2017.
  13. Lentz III, Harris M. (2005). Obituaries in the Performing Arts, 2004: Film, Television, Radio, Theatre, Dance, Music, Cartoons and Pop Culture. McFarland & Company. p. 62. ISBN 9780786452095.
  14. Kelso, John (June 2, 2004). "'Texas Chainsaw Massacre' art director dead at 60". Austin American-Statesman. Retrieved April 14, 2017.


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