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1974 "The Texas Chain Saw Massacre" ad...
1974 "The Texas Chain Saw Massacre" ad...
Item # 720368
October 31, 1974
THE VILLAGE VOICE (weekly), Greenwich Village, New York, Oct. 31, 1974
* "The Texas Chain Saw Massacre" opening
* American horror film - movie - Leatherface
* LAST ONE IN INVENTORY ****
Page 101 has a 5 1/2 x 4 inch advertisement (not including locations underneath) for: "The Texas Chain Saw Massacre" for it's premiere opening in New York City. Through research, this film opened in NYC on Oct. 30th. Being a weekly publication, this is actually the opening day ad for this film there.
AI notes: The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974), directed by Tobe Hooper, is a groundbreaking American horror film that redefined the genre through its raw, documentary-like style, unsettling atmosphere, and psychological intensity. Following a group of young friends who fall prey to a deranged family of cannibals in rural Texas, the film centers on the terrifying figure of Leatherface, a mute killer who wears a mask made of human skin and wields a chainsaw with brutal efficiency. Though often mistaken for a gore-fest, the movie relies more on implication, sound design, and frantic editing to evoke horror, making its violence feel disturbingly real despite minimal on-screen blood. Inspired loosely by real-life murderer Ed Gein, the story taps into cultural fears of isolation, decay, and madness in the American heartland. Shot on a shoestring budget in the sweltering Texas heat, the film’s gritty, almost amateur aesthetic only adds to its authenticity and impact, helping it become one of the most influential and controversial horror films of all time. Its legacy has endured through sequels, remakes, and academic analysis, cementing Leatherface as a horror icon and the film as a foundational text in the slasher genre.
Advertisements for this film are hard to find due to the fact that many cities across the country chose not to show it because of it's graphic nature. While others decided to show it days or even weeks after it's official release. The October 24th issue of this publication did not have the ad. The November 7th issue doesn't have it either so I assume they showed this movie for just one week only.
I suspect this to be an extremely rare item because there was really no reason to save it at the time.
The Village Voice was an American counterculture newspaper known for being the country's first alternative newsweekly. It introduced free-form, high-spirited, and passionate journalism into the public discourse - a tradition it maintained throughout its 60+ year history. It is quite common to find great political cartoons, satirical cartoons and articles, thought-provoking editorials, and ads and reviews for both concerts and theater productions - both on and off Broadway. Many iconic writers and musicians credit their appearance in The Village Voice for at least a portion of their success.
Complete in 136 pages, tabloid-size, one crease across the center, very minor margin wear, nice condition.
wikipedia notes: The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is a 1974 American horror film produced, co-composed, and directed by Tobe Hooper, who co-wrote it with Kim Henkel. The film stars Marilyn Burns, Paul A. Partain, Edwin Neal, Jim Siedow, and Gunnar Hansen. The plot follows a group of friends who fall victim to a family of cannibals while on their way to visit an old homestead. The film was marketed as being based on true events to attract a wider audience and to act as a subtle commentary on the era's political climate. Although the character of Leatherface and minor story details were inspired by the crimes of murderer Ed Gein, its plot is largely fictional.
Provenance note: This issue comes from The Village Voice's own archives, part of their in-house collection used to create their digital archive. Rare as such.
Alert: Many issues of The Village Voice contain articles and/or photos which some consider offensive, and are certainly inappropriate for children. Please purchase with discretion.
Category: The 20th Century
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