How Did Leatherface Make His Masks?

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Scary Movies and Series

Sending victims running outrageously through the woods, the Texas Chainsaw Massacre is absolutely filled with gruesome, violent deaths. Leatherface is a monster with a chainsaw…but he is also a monster without it.  Leatherface’s mask alone is enough to inspire fear in any victim.  This is because Leatherface dons masks made of human flesh, made from the faces of his victims. So what type of skills does Leatherface require to make his human face flesh masks? How much experience did he need before he started pumping out his high-quality grisly masks?

Horror Enthusiast has dug around in some of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre body pits to sift around and find the true origin behind the skills and design of the Leatherface mask.

What Does Leatherface Need to Make a Mask?

Leatherface staring at the camera

Slaughtering people correctly (both to murder them and skin their faces off), requires the work of a good butcher.  The mask requires serious tailoring skills. Sewing the mask together requires a steady hand and some fine needlework. 

That said, Leatherface has a ton of experience when it comes to being a butcher.  In fact, being a butcher is all he has ever known, career-wise.  On top of his cattle-butchering experience…he has been butchering stranded people for more than 40 years! Of course, the more people he butchers, the more faces he skins, the more masks he sews…the better he gets at the whole thing.

Technically, both the Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Leatherface alike require a steady flow of victims through their abandoned town.  Without a steady flow of victims, they cannot eat, but more importantly, Leatherface cannot make new masks. New victims mean new masks.

Ultimately there is no shortage of victims rolling through the Sawyer house.

How Does Leatherface Create His Mask?

Although the first two movies do not share much information about the origin of the Leatherface mask, the third movie in the series, Leatherface: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre III (1990), is rather revealing. In fact, R.A. Mihailoff (who played leatherface in this movie), can be seen right from the start making a new mask for himself.

Step 1: Leatherface starts by dragging his victim into his little butchery area, usually either the Sawyer house basement or his room. Sometimes the room is hidden, other times it even has a window (allowing some victims to witness the atrocities from outside the house).

Step 2: Leatherface skins the face off the victim. It is important to note that Sometimes the victim is alive, even during the start of the skinning phase. Yet other times they have first bled out on a meat hook or froze in a meat freezer. Most of the time, they are already dead by the hands of Leatherface or a family member.

Step 3: The next step is sewing the mask together, as it typically requires a variety of slices to skin a face clean off a victim. The mask is essentially finished after it is sewn together, giving it a “homemade” kind of feel.

Leatherface has many personalities, based upon the mask he may wear.  Sometimes he is sympathetic, sometimes matriarchal, and other times, he is a stone cold hunter!  Some psychologists have speculated he uses the masks to change identity as a way of fulfilling himself.

How Was the Leatherface Mask Made in Real Life?

Leatherface with chainsaw and victim hanging from hands tied to a rope

Supposedly, the original Leatherface mask from the first movie was made out of a combination of fiberglass and latex. This interesting combo for material creates an almost see-through look and it has been said to be very fragile.  The fiberglass was essential though, as it created a very real “dead skin” kind of look.  The mask looks exactly like dried out, dead skin.

What Influenced the Real Leatherface Mask

A lot of the influence behind the real mask used in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974) and subsequent films in the franchise, came from the real life trophies of Ed Gein, the grave robbing corpse mutilator. Of the many items found in Gein’s home included a mask made from the face of a human being. In fact, his uniquely grotesque home furnishings and horror decor, all made from human bones and skin, also inspired the look for the inside of the Sawyer residence.

Gein did supposedly actually wear these masks, spawning the horror icon we know today as Leatherface from the Texas Chainsaw Massacre movies.

Final Words About Leatherface

Leatherface loves to wear different masks throughout the movies. In fact, he changes masks frequently, not just from movie to movie, but also wearing many masks sometimes within a single movie.  He has also worn the mask of his victim in the same movie as he has killed them.  For Leatherface, the thrill does not stop at simply slaughtering his victims, but also in butchering them, skinning their face off, and dancing around with his chainsaw wearing a mask of their face.

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Who is the Voice of Billy the Puppet From Saw? [Saw Facts]

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Scary Movies and Series

Is the Voice of Billy the Puppet Familiar?

The scary little tricycle riding puppet from the Saw movies, more formally known as ‘Billy the Puppet’ is one of the most terrifying props used throughout the franchise.  His oversized head and creepy eyes let the Saw victims and the audience know that danger is imminent. Usually Billy is around to explain to the victims why they are in the trap to begin with and the general rules of the game.  He also tells people how to survive the games.  James Wan (the original Saw director) did a great job making the puppet from scratch himself.  However, many Saw fans still want to know, who plays Billy the Puppet as far as casting goes (what real life actor is credited with Billy the Puppet)? Who is the Billy the Puppet voice in Saw?

Tobin Bell Voices Billy the Puppet

Billy the Puppet is very diabolical in appearance. But the news the puppet has to relay is much scarier! That said, the actual voice used for the puppet to speak to the victims about the traps they are in…is all Tobin! He is the complete villain package, both playing the vigilante-style sympathetic killer that is John Kramer (the Jigsaw killer), as well as being able to voice his own accomplice-puppet!

Tobin Bell is a very talented actor. Whether he is showing face on the screen itself or simply loaning his voice, he knows how to captivate the audience with the power of his presence. He is without a doubt the PERFECT Jigsaw slasher for the Saw movies! And Billy the Puppet has been an excellent partner to Jigsaw.  They are truly a very good fit, and thus, it is only appropriate that the Saw puppet is voiced by Tobin himself.

Final Notes About Billy the Puppet

Rusty wheels on a little red tricycle. White gloves to match an eerie white, humanoid-like face. Black unkempt hair and a mechanical mouth that moves as the killer speaks.  Billy the Puppet stands out as one of the most horrifying props used by a horror movie killer to date!  And it even has the scariest voice to match…thanks to Tobin Bell, the voice of Billy the Puppet!

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Were the Friday the 13th Movies Released on Friday the 13th?

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Scary Movies and Series

When Were the Friday the 13th Movies Released?

The movie title “Friday the 13th” would lead fans to believe all of the movies were released on Friday the 13th itself. The truth, however, is that the movies would be released as it were most profitable for the film makers and theaters playing the films.  It does appear that they attempted to get it close, however, the true release dates of the Friday the 13th movies will surprise many fans.  Additionally, the plot of the films seem to draw very little connection to the ‘unlucky’ day, Friday the 13th. Still, Horror Enthusiast mapped out the release dates in order to draw a fair conclusion.

List of Friday the 13th Movie Release Dates

It is interesting that the Friday the 13th movies were not released on Friday the 13th. Here is a full list of the release dates of all Friday the 13th movies.

  • Friday the 13th (1980) was released on May 9th. While it was a Friday, it was not the 13th.
  • Friday the 13th Part 2 (1981) was released on May 1st. This was a Friday, but not the 13th.
  • Friday the 13th Part III (1982) was released on August 13th, the first movie to be released on an actual Friday the 13th.
  • Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter (1984) was released on April 13th, the second movie in the franchise to snag an authentic Friday the 13th release date.
  • Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985) was released on March 22nd, which was a Friday, but not the 13th.
  • Jason Lives: Friday the 13th Part VI (1986) was released on August 1st. Again, they secured a Friday but not a 13th.
  • Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988) released on May 13th, a Friday, securing the third movie in the franchise with a genuine Friday the 13th release date.
  • Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan (1989) was released on July 28th, a Friday but not the 13th.
  • Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday (1993) got released on August 13th, a Friday and a 13th. This becomes the 4th movie in the franchise to have an authentic Friday the 13th release date.
  • Jason X (2001), aka “Jason in Space,” was released on April 26, which may have been a Friday, but was most certainly not a 13th.
  • Freddy vs Jason (2003) opened on August 15th, a Friday but again, not a 13th.
  • Friday the 13th (2009), the latest in the franchise, released on February the 13th. This movie locks in the 5th movie with an official Friday the 13th release date.

Last Notes About the Friday the 13th Release Dates

In the end, they got the release date right 5 times out of 12 movies.  That’s not that bad considering there are very few Friday the 13th dates each year (if more than one at all). The movies themselves are not very much so based on the date. And it has even been speculated that the movie title was chosen as a way to capitalize on Halloween’s success. Still, however, the Friday the 13th movies do quite well and wind up getting played across tons of TV networks and movie screens on Friday the 13th itself!

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Halloween Movie Cameos and Celebrity Appearances

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Scary Movies and Series

Were There Any Cameos in the Halloween Movies?

Halloween is a long running favorite slasher franchise and Michael Myers is a ruthless killer. While he may steal most of the limelight, there are many cameos present throughout the Halloween movies.  Some of the celebrity appearances and cameos are more obvious, while others are more subtle and can be almost impossible to detect without knowing to look for it.  A true Halloween fan will have a “palm face” kind of moment when confirming some of these cameos for themselves.

List of Celebrity Cameos in the Halloween Movies

It is always fun to see other celebrities and parts of the crew show face throughout the movies. Check out the full list of celebrity cameo appearances throughout the entire Halloween franchise.

John Carpenter

The creator of Michael Myers and Halloween himself, John Carpenter, both directed and wrote the original Halloween (1978). He also had a cameo in the masterpiece as the voice of Annie’s boyfriend (a character named Paul).

He declined a cameo offer for Rob Zombie’s Halloween II (2009) remake.

Dana Carvey

Dana was given a small cameo role in Halloween II (1981) and then went on to bigger roles, including starring in the “Wayne’s World” franchise with Mike Myers (no not the Halloween movies’ killer).

Nancy Kyes (aka Nancy Loomis)

Halloween I and III featured a cameo from an actress by the stage name “Nancy Loomis.” Loomis is also the last name of Dr Loomis in the actual movie itself (just a coincidence).  She plays one of Laurie Strodes friends, Annie Brackett, in the first film and second films.  She then plays Dr Challis’ ex-wife in the third Halloween movie.

Alan B. McElroy

Famous and talented writer, Alan B McElroy, can be seen playing a state trooper cameo role where the ambulance crashed early in the fourth film, Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988).

Sarah Michelle Gellar

Sarah michelle geller cameo in halloween on a TV screen

Sarah is seen for a brief second or two on TV as two girls enjoy Scream 2 (1997) in Halloween H20: 20 Years Later (1998).

Jamie Lee Curtis

Jamie lends the voice of the curfew announcer and phone operator in the 3rd movie, Halloween III: Season of the Witch  (1982).

She was also obligated via contract to cameo in Halloween Resurrection (2002), however, enjoyed the script and production so much she filmed a full 4 days and had a much larger part in the film.

Rick Rosenthal

Director of Halloween: Resurrection (2002) made a cameo appearance in the movie himself as a college professor. His cameo can be found rather early in the film, about 16 minutes in.

Last Words About Cameos Throughout Halloween

There are a lot of Halloween movies, and a lot of opportunities for a celebrity cameo appearance. Ironically, with how many opportunities the Halloween franchise has had for cameos, it has kept non-cast involvement rather light.  In fact, some movies do not appear to have a cameo at all! 

If you think you have found a new cameo that is not present on this list, please comment below so we can add it!

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Friday the 13th Movie Cameos

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Lifestyle Scary Movies and Series

Celebrity Cameos in the Jason Movies [Friday the 13th Trivia]

Are There Any Cameos in the Friday the 13th Movies?

The Friday the 13th franchise has been highly entertaining for decades. In fact, Jason Voorhees and Camp Crystal Lake never seem to get old! That said, throughout the long duration of Voorhees killings, there have been plenty of opportunities for celebrity cameos. There are a lot of ‘short lived’ roles (pun intended) that need filling, and cameos are sometimes the perfect way to get the job done.  Many of these cameos will be super obvious!

List of Celebrity Cameo Appearances in the Friday the 13th Movies

The Friday the 13th movies are iconic in the horror slasher genre, and thus a cameo appearance is a really cool ordeal!  Here is the complete list of celebrity cameos that appear throughout the Friday the 13th movies.

Betsy Palmer

Mrs. Voorhees, Jason’s mother, from the original film was invited to partake in a cameo for the second film, Friday the 13th Part 2 (1981).

Steve Miner

The voice of the TV newscaster in the 3rd film, Friday the 13th Part III (1982), is the director, Steve Miner!

Corey Feldman

Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985), was supposed to star Corey Feldman, however, his role of Tommy Jarvis was given to someone else due to scheduling conflicts.  Instead, Corey shot a few scenes to be used as a cameo in the film.

Walt Gorney

Walt played Crazy Ralph in the first two films.  He then returned to lend his voice as the narrator in the beginning of Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988).

John Carl Buechler

John is one of the best special effects and makeup  guys out there. He also plays a firefighter who finds and retrieves Jason’s broken mask at the end of the movie.

Kane Hodder 

The screenwriter for Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday (1993) makes a cameo in the movie.

California DJs

Two California DJs can be seen in Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday (1993). When Jason goes to hell, he throws a party first!

David Cronenberg

Cronenberg was killed on screen in a cameo appearance during Jason X (2001) as part of a deal made with director, Jim Isaac. Call it…pay back.

Robert Shaye

Robert Shaye has produced all of the Nightmare on Elm Street movies, including Freddy vs Jason (2003).  He makes a cameo in this film as Laurie’s high school principal.

Rey Mysterio

Famed wrestler makes an appearance in Freddy vs Jason (2003). He can be seen “as the person who jumps.”

Evangeline Lilly

Evangeline is a part of a crowd about 27 minutes into the film. She is wearing a long-sleeve green shirt.

Last Notes About Friday the 13th Cameos

There were a couple that probably could have happened, but some red tape must have got in the way.  One example is the cameo of Adrienne King (the heroine of the original Friday the 13th movie) which was rumored to happen for the Friday the 13th (2009) remake.  It ultimately did not happen because the producers decided they did not want any originals to be in the remake.  It is obvious the franchise has had a lot of chances to cast cameo appearances, but has been rather conservative in doing so.

If you think you have found a new cameo or find other great cameos from famous actors in horror movies, please comment below so we can add it!

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