Posts Tagged ‘Salem’s Lot’

This article is in response to the wonderful article written by the talented @Rubytombstone who tells us why she likes ZOMBIES so much.

After reading @Rubytombstone’s replies, she almost had me becoming a fan of zombies, but alas, vampires do it for me.

Therefore prior to reading my article below, please take the time to read ‘Why Zombie?’ and feel free to comment.

Vampires Always Win

Errr no they don’t always win, but the good vampires do keep coming back with action that BITES.

Take for example Hammer Horror’s Dracula.  How many times did he return from the grave to seduce all those beautiful buxom women with his tantalising gaze?  How many times was he staked?

Lestat came back from the dead in ‘Interview with the Vampire’. Damn he was one sexy vampire!

What will the zombie race do when there are no human survivors left?

Zombies will make themselves extinct once there are no more brains left to consume.  They are not intelligent enough to figure out their own destruction.

Vampires Never Give Up

True, a zombie never gives up as it just keeps on stumbling forward with its chin hanging near the deck and drooling like a teething baby. Very charismatic, NOT!

Vampires don’t give up either.  They require the life-force of humanity to survive and note that I don’t mention blood to survive.  Vampires don’t rely on just one thing to survive like a zombie does.

Vampires Are Everywhere

All over the world vampires are stalking their prey whilst being intelligent enough to blend in with society.  You can’t tell if someone is a vampire or not, but you sure can tell when a foul mouthed rotting corpse is staggering in your direction.

Vampires are intelligent enough to know that there is no future for survival in turning every human into a vampire.  Vampires are predatory creatures and like to be selective with their prey.

Vampires Are Individuals

Vampires are most definitely individuals just like the human race.  Zombies look different, but their personalities are the same.

Vampires Are Inherently Funny

Zombies win hands down due to their hilarious antics.  I love watching a mass zombie shuffle prior to some walking into a situation where they ultimately die in a stupid way.

If I want a laugh, I’ll watch a zombie movie.  If I want to be terrified or mesmerised, I’ll watch a vampire movie.

Vampires Are Gruesome

Both vampires and zombies are gruesome in their own ways.

Vampires are cunning creatures and their mental torturous techniques are pretty gruesome.  Vampires are responsible for haunting people and sending them crazy.  Look at poor Renfield for example!

Not all vampires resemble Human Beings, take Mr Barlow for example from Salem’s Lot.  I know that I’d rather face a stupid rotting zombie than face the hideous blue face of Barlow with those yellow eyes.  Can you imagine that creature hissing in your face prior to slashing your throat?

I’d rather be a vampire than a zombie any day!  WHAT ABOUT YOU?

I’ve compiled a list of places and objects that are a no go zone for me thanks to the many horror films I’ve watched over the years. Below is my personal list of things that terrify me and feel free to leave your responses as I’m sure there are many more.

St Bernard Dog

I always tread carefully near St Bernard dogs thanks to Stephen Kings Cujo. It has to be the most terrifying dog of all horror films.

Corn Fields

Remember the scene in ‘Children of the Corn’ when the stalks of corn suddenly part way for our entrance into the corn field? Absolutely no way will you find me travelling near a corn field.

Parked Lorries

This one will probably make you laugh. Ever since watching ‘Trucks’ again a Stephen King film, I hate to cross the road near a parked truck at night that is pure black inside the windows in case it suddenly starts up and mows me down. Also thinking about it, if you’ve watched this film, do you remember the lawn mower coming to life?

Windows at Night

Ever since Stephen King’s Salem’s Lot, I’ve not been able to sit in a room at night with the curtains/blinds open just in case a mist forms and something floats up to the window with yellow eyes and starts dragging their long fingernails down it.

Shiny Silver Balls

Although they don’t scare me that much, I do imagine sharp blades to suddenly pop out before the balls float in the air and chase me and land smack bang in the middle of my forehead. Thanks Phantasm! That tall undertaker guy walking down the street is scary as Hell.

Television Screens

When you’re sat at the television and suddenly there’s a problem with the aerial and the screen goes all white and fuzzy, I’m scared as Hell that spirits are on their way to get me thanks to Poltergeist.

I’m not alone in my opinion that Mr Barlow from Salem’s Lot (1979) is the most scariest and hideous vampire of all time. This was proven the other night when I put Salem’s Lot on for my 19yr old daughter as she has never seen it.

I was waiting for the usual comments like ‘This isn’t scary’ or ‘this is rubbish’, but we got through the scene where Ralphie Glick floats to his brother, Danny Glick’s window and scratches his nails on the glass making an awful screeching noise.

I thought at this point my daughter would refuse to watch anymore, but we carried on and watched how Ben Mears (David Soul) relationship with the doctor’s daughter, Susan Norton developed, and how the town was slowly turning into a ghost town as vampires were born.

Part 1 ended with Danny Glick springing up out of his coffin and biting the cemetery keeper.

It was time for part 2 of the DVD set and we got as far as the first appearance of Mr Barlow when he magically unlocked the cell door which held Floyd Tibbits. The camera stuck on Mr Barlow’s nosferatu head with those terrifying yellow eyes and the awful hissing and screeching sounds he made.

Kerry (daughter) refused to watch anymore of Salem’s Lot.

It’s a shame because she missed the most terrifying scene where Mr Straker along  with Mr Barlow, entered the kitchen of the Petrie family in spectacular style.

The room started to tremble and shake violently like it would in an earthquake and a black mass appeared on the kitchen floor, growing slowly to reveal the hissing and growling Mr Barlow. Mr Straker demanded that the priest surrender himself to Mr Barlow.

James Mason played Mr Straker, who was Mr Barlow’s keeper. He lived in the old Marsten house and owned an antiques shop within Salem’s Lot. Mr Straker had a screw loose to keep a vampire like him. I never figured out if he was scared of Mr Barlow, or if he really wanted to be his keeper.

Reggie Naldor played the role of Mr Barlow magnificently and he is one of the most evil, terrifying vampires ever to be seen.

I remember watching Salem’s Lot when I was a young teenager and part 1 scared me so much that I cried when I had to go to bed as none of my family would let me share a bed with them. I was that scared!

Part 2 came on the television the following night and I had to beg my mother to let me watch it even though I knew I would be terrified to go to bed afterwards. Part 2 scared me more and to this day, I won’t sit in a room at night with the curtains open and I don’t like dark patches in rooms.

If you haven’t watched Salem’s Lot, then you must watch the 1979 version with David Soul as it is the best in my opinion.

Fewdio and The Cellar

Recently, I came across the awesome talent of Fewdio who create nightmares within minutes.

They have a short film titled The Cellar and to my surprise and enjoyment, it is a wonderful tribute to the original Salem’s Lot.

For all fans of Salem’s Lot, I heartily recommend that you watch The Cellar and let me know if you think it is a fitting tribute. Enjoy!