While one contemporary reviewer called infamous horror film The Texas Chain Saw Massacre “a vile little piece of sick crap with literally nothing to recommend it,” we all know better. So when “Leatherface” actor Gunnar Hansen presents his book Chain Saw Confidential: How We Made the World's Most Notorious Horror Movie, it's bound to be a riveting discussion. The movie, of course, is one of American cinema's greatest achievements, with every aspect — pacing, script, art direction, cinematography, casting and the performances themselves — so perfectly executed as to be nothing less than flabbergasting. Shooting it was no picnic: Racing masked through the underbrush on a pitch-black Texas summer night with a roaring chainsaw, Hansen nearly massacred himself at least once. For fans, this is a compulsory event. Better still, Hansen also will appear and sign at a screening of the film the following night in Santa Monica. Book Soup, 8818 Sunset Blvd., W. Hlywd.; Thurs., Sept. 19, 7 p.m.; free. (310) 659-3110, booksoup.com. Also at Aero Theatre, 1328 Montana Ave, Santa Monica; Fri., Sept. 20, signing at 6:30 p.m., screening at 7:30 p.m., followed by a discussion with Hansen; $11 general, $7 members. (310) 260-1528, americancinemathequecalendar.com.

Thu., Sept. 19, 7 p.m., 2013

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