Hold Your Horses, There Never Was a Real Texas Chainsaw Massacre...Unless You Count Grocery Shopping on a Saturday
Let's face it, "The Texas Chain Saw Massacre" is a classic horror film that's left us all a little jittery about hitchhiking and gas station snacks. But before you start stocking up on canned beans and building a fallout shelter in your backyard, there's something you should know: the movie is FICTIONAL.
But Isn't Leatherface Based on a True Story?
Well, yes and no. The character of Leatherface, with his penchant for power tools and questionable fashion choices, was loosely inspired by the real-life crimes of Ed Gein. Gein was a murderer and body snatcher who, well, let's just say he had a unique taste in home decor (think furniture fashioned from human skin). However, Gein wasn't a chainsaw-wielding maniac running amok in Texas. He was a single man in Wisconsin with a disturbing fascination with his dead mother.
Fun Fact: Ed Gein mostly used knives and didn't wear a mask made of human skin...all the time. But hey, creative liberties, right?
So How Many People Did Leatherface Actually Kill?
Since Leatherface is a fictional character from a work of fiction, the body count is entirely up to the scriptwriters. In the original "Texas Chainsaw Massacre," five unlucky teenagers become acquainted with the wrong end of a chainsaw. But that's just one movie, folks! There have been numerous sequels and reboots, each with their own blood-soaked body count.
Short Answer: Leatherface has racked up a body count that would make Jason Voorhees blush, but it's all make-believe!
Okay, But This Whole Chainsaw Thing is Creepy. How Do I Deal?
Here are some tips to ensure your next road trip isn't a horror movie waiting to happen:
- Skip the hitchhiking. Seriously, there are apps for that these days.
- Bring your own snacks. Gas station burritos are a gamble at best.
- Trust your gut. If a place feels off, it probably is. Floor it!
- Travel in a group. There's safety in numbers (and hopefully, someone will remember to bring the AUX cord).
- Most importantly, relax! The chances of encountering a chainsaw-wielding maniac are slim to none.
How To FAQs:
Q: How to survive a horror movie situation? A: Improvise, adapt, overcome. Also, maybe don't split up with your friends.
Q: How to tell if a gas station is safe? A: Giant warning signs that say "RUN!" probably aren't a good sign.
Q: How to use a chainsaw safely? A: Unless you're a trained professional, probably best to leave that to the lumberjacks.
Q: How to get the theme song to "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" out of my head? A: Sing show tunes very, very loudly.
Q: How to make peace with the fact that I'll probably never sleep soundly again? A: Embrace the nightmares! They'll make for excellent story fodder at parties.
