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Cue the pig squeal! How The Texas Chain Saw Massacre’s score was stitched back together for its first release
A soundtrack of wildlife, drones and saucepans ensured the 1974 film became truly horrifying. Its co-creator recalls the can-do spirit that made it happen
Despite its bare-bones production and lack of actual gore, the 1974 movie carved a new path for horror film-making, and key elements were the eerie sound design and abstract score: perfect matches for the film’s red-raw storytelling and stark imagery. Despite a musical education encompassing everything from opera and Latin jazz to the 13th Floor Elevators, Bell says there were no specific guidelines for the soundtrack, not even the avant garde composers it is somewhat reminiscent of. He collaborated with Richard Linklater, produced a radio documentary on US politician Barbara Jordan and oversaw the session that became Stevie Ray Vaughan’s In the Beginning live album.
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