★ 6 / 10
Rondo and Bob is a unique horror documentary with a lot of charm. It could have been polished in parts, but it's still a worthwhile watch for horror enthusiasts.
kevin_robbins
I recently watched the documentary Rondo and Bob (2020) on Tubi. The storyline follows the lives of Robert A. Burns, co-creator of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre…
I recently watched the documentary Rondo and Bob (2020) on Tubi. The storyline follows the lives of Robert A. Burns, co-creator of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre with Tobe Hooper, who handled the practical effects, set design, and overall visual style of the film. Burns had a fascination with Rondo Hatton, a former newspaper reporter who developed severe acromegaly after serving in the war. This condition gave him distinctive features, leading to a unique career as a character actor in gangster and horror films. The documentary explores how both men's lives had lasting impacts on the horror genre.Directed and written by Joe O'Connell (Danger God), the documentary is a treat for fans of classic horror. It's fascinating to see Burns, the creative mind behind the sets of iconic horror films like The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, The Howling, Re-Animator, and The Hills Have Eyes. The interviews and behind-the-scenes feedback from directors and actors were enjoyable and offered great insights. However, the reenactments fell flat, but the interviews and vintage VHS tapes of Burns in action more than made up for it, showcasing his creativity and imagination.The story of Rondo Hatton was touching. Despite his struggles, Hatton appeared content with life and had a passion for his work, which contrasted interestingly with those who saw potential in him as an actor.In conclusion, Rondo and Bob is a unique horror documentary with a lot of charm. It could have been polished in parts, but it's still a worthwhile watch for horror enthusiasts. I'd rate this a 6/10 and strongly recommend it to fans of the genre.
Read full review
★ 5 / 10
Rondo and Bob
BandSAboutMovies
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, The Hills Have Eyes, The Howling, Re-Animator, From Beyond, Tourist Trap, Don't Go Near the Park. Beyond the villains and stars…
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, The Hills Have Eyes, The Howling, Re-Animator, From Beyond, Tourist Trap, Don't Go Near the Park. Beyond the villains and stars of these films, they're memorable for the scenes they take place in, the look of menace within each. That's all due to Robert A. Burns, the man who taxidermied an armadillo and built the bone furniture with the Sawyer home, that made Mr. Slausen's home so frighteningly strange, that created the adult shop that Dee Wallace finds a werewolf in and even plays a customer that runs past her.
Beyond the films and art pieces that Burns created, he was obsessed with Rondo Hatton, a man who turned his acromegaly into three films for Universal before dying way too young. The disease caused Rondo's face, hands and feet to grow monstrously larger than the rest of his body, which caused him to hide from the world until his second wife Mae gave him the support that he needed.
The image of The Creeper, Hatton's horror film character, would become a symbol of Burns' lifelong belief in his inner ugliness. It's this idea that director and writer Joe O'Connell (Danger God) explores in this combination documentary and narrative film on two lives.
With appearances by Fred Olen Ray, Daniel Pearl, Edwin Neal, Joe Bob Briggs, Stuart Gordon, Dee Wallace and more, the film also steps away from being a straight documentary to dramatize the life of Hatton (Joseph Middleton) and Mae (Kelsey Pribilski). She later meets Burns (Ryan Williams), who we see meet Tobe Hooper, become friends with Gunnar Hansen and be on the front lines of the day Charles Whitman opened fire on the University of Texas.
This is a messy movie that doesn't always perfectly work, but that's actually to its benefit. It's like drinking at a party and someone trying to explain just how amazing their friend was, why you would have loved them and all the wild, strange, dumb and sad things that their friend did. And now their friend is gone and you can only experience them through the art and tall tales that they left behind.
And yes, the Deep Throat pinball machine shows up.
Read full review
80%
TOMATOMETER
· 5 reviews
80%
AUDIENCE
6.2/10
50
•••
Instead of seeing more about the amazing Rondo - this is just pointless and confused dross that fails on every level. DISAPPOINTING