The successful writer Benjamin “Ben” Mears returns to his hometown Salem’s Lot, Maine, expecting to write a new novel about the Marsten House. Ben believes that the manor is an evil house that attracts evil men since the place has many tragic stories and Ben saw a ghostly creature inside the house when he was ten. Ben finds that the Marsten House has just been rented to the antique dealers Richard K. Straker and his partner Kurt Barlow that is permanently traveling. Ben meets the divorced teacher Susan Norton that is living with her parents and they have a love affair. Ben also gets close to her father Dr. Bill Norton and his former school teacher Jason Burke. When people start to die anemic, Ben believes that Straker’s partner is a vampire. But how to convince his friends that he is not crazy and that is the truth?
If you’re looking for something sufficiently vampire-ish for the kids this Halloween, without scarring them.. Salem’s Lot may be for you – if you can find it. Luckily, this title recently popped up on Amazon.com on DVD! I remember this mini-series from when it was on TV in 1979.. I was 8. I loved it! Unfortunately, until recently, it’s been pretty hard to find. I’m very happy to say that it’s in my collection now.
There’s really nothing to hate about this one. Acting is good.. Stephen King’s story is nice and creepy (for his 2nd novel). And I always loved the window scenes! Hey, those vampire kids are creepy looking.. honestly, the younger boy is way creepier than his older brother.
Make sure to get the original 1979 mini-series.. it was remade in 2004, and wasn’t very good.
