Tobe Hooper is gone.

It seems like we are losing our horror greats a lot more lately. Mr. Hooper’s cause of death hasn’t been released at this time, but he was 74 years and old passed away on Saturday in Sherman Oaks, California. So many tributes have poured in for him. I think everyone who was a horror fan was in some way influenced by him. People have been mentioning his big hits, Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Poltergeist, both movies I personally loved. But I wanted to mention some of his lesser known work that I really enjoyed and in the first case, scarred me for life.

1. Salem’s Lot

Tobe Hooper directed this 1979 TV version of Stephen King’s book. I watched it while babysitting one night and I was scared to walk the one minute back to my house. And that scene up there? I always close the curtains at night. I can’t keep them open, because that scene is always at the back of my mind.

2. Body Bags

Body Bags is one of my favorite movies. It’s an anthology by John Carpenter, and Tobe directed the segment “The Eye”.

“Eye” is a transplant story, this time featuring Mark Hamill as a baseball player who loses an eye in a car accident and receives a transplant, only to be taken over by the personality of the eye’s previous owner, a murderous killer.

If you haven’t seen this one, watch it now! It’s so much fun for horror fans, so many homages and cameos! If you look closely you’ll see Tobe himself in the morgue.

3. Night Visions

I’ve written about Night Visions on here before and I love that people are still discovering this classic series that was cancelled before it’s time. Tobe Hooper directed Cargo & The Maze. But again I’d suggest watching this whole series if you haven’t.

4. The Funhouse 1981

This one is silly but a lot of fun!

5. Freddy’s Nightmares

I remember staying up late to watch Freddy’s Nightmares because I was OBSESSED with Freddy as a kid, but I’d always regret it because this show scared me SO SO MUCH!

6. Masters of Horror

Of course Tobe did a couple of episodes of Masters of Horror. You’d have no right to call the show that if you didn’t include him. He did two episodes:

The Damned Thing

I know these aren’t exactly hidden gems, but if you’re thinking about Tobe and want to watch something off the beaten path, I hope you’ll check these out.

Rest in peace, Tobe Hooper. We love you.