Robert A. Burns

Robert A. Burns (May 27, 1944 - May 31, 2004) was an American art director and production designer 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
Born(1944-05-27)27 May 1944
Died31 May 2004(2004-05-31) (aged 60)[1]
OccupationArt director
Years active1974-1989
Notable work
The 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 first entered the film industry as the casting director[5] and art director[6] 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.[7]

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[6] and had aspired to make a film about the actor.[8] His passion was such that he held parties to celebrate Hatton's birthday.[9] An upcoming documentary titled Rondo and Bob [10] looks at the lives of both Burns and Hatton.[11]

Death

Burns died on May 31, 2004.[1] It was reported that he was suffering from cancer of the kidney.[12] His death was investigated as a suicide with Burns leaving a farewell note on his website with a photo of him stretched out in front of a tombstone with his name on it.[13]

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. Hippes: The Texas Chain Saw Massacre Subtext". The Austin Chronicle. Retrieved April 14, 2017.
  5. Hansen, Gunnar (2013). Chain Saw Confidential. Chronicle Books. p. 15. ISBN 9781452129501.
  6. Jaworzyn, Stefan (2003). The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Companion. Titan Books. p. 251. ISBN 9781840236606.
  7. Muir, John Kenneth (2009). Eaten Alive at a Chainsaw Massacre: The Films of Tobe Hooper. McFarland & Company. p. 14. ISBN 9781476613352.
  8. Duryea, Bill (June 27, 1999). "In love with a monster". St. Petersburg Times. Retrieved January 18, 2017.
  9. "Bill "Leatherface" Johnson Interview!!!". Brain Hammer's Picks From The Crypt. October 5, 2011. Retrieved January 18, 2017.
  10. "Rondo and Bob". Retrieved June 4, 2017.
  11. "Documentary on man who put the gore in 'Texas Chainsaw Massacre'". Austin American-Statesman. June 4, 2017. Retrieved June 4, 2017.
  12. 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.
  13. Kelso, John (June 2, 2004). "'Texas Chainsaw Massacre' art director dead at 60". Austin American-Statesman. Retrieved April 14, 2017.


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