Salem’s Lot (1979) – Filmsack Show Notes

INTRO

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Oh hi,

Just tired.

This week on Filmsack, I didn’t sleep well last night. Had a funny dream about a long ass 1979 Stephen King miniseries where vampires with a business plan and no dental coverage move into the small and sweaty town of SALEM’S but not a LOT of witches (none by my count) and begin a geometric progression of biblical proportions … it is a real 6 cubed amount of vampires blowing smoke and waiting to be invited in situation. No Thanks. I gave blood last week.. now shoo.

Anywho, it’s feels like it has been 2 years since I started this intro and since then I have made a vocational change from Book Author boyfriend who comes over to meet the parents to Popsicle Stick Cross Maker with a side hustle of holy water pick up and delivery. Now excuse me, I must go plunge a wooden stake into my ex lover’s chest while avoiding eye contact. 

Randy, have you seen my 6 pack of beer and/or wife? hey, are those silk? I revoke my invitation.

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BRIEF

Salem’s Lot (1979) follows the story of Ben Mears (David Soul), an author who returns to the seemingly sleepy town of Salem’s Lot, only to discover that the residents are being turned into vampires. As he investigates, he teams up with a few locals to confront the vampire threat that has its roots in the town’s haunted Marsten House. Directed by Tobe Hooper, this miniseries is a chilling adaptation of Stephen King’s novel that blends classic vampire lore with modern horror elements, delivering a suspenseful and atmospheric tale of terror.

TRAILER/CLIPS

 

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Social Media Post

Salem’s Lot (1979) – Which is short for Jerusalem’s Lot, which is something I just learned today. But still no witches in this movie. #BringMeAMiniSeriesAmountOfBeers

SHOW NOTES

• That is a lot of Salem
• Ximico, Guatemala
• These guys are tan. 
• Bottled holy water.. It glows. Like Sting from LOTR
• They found us. We have to go further.
• Dum… DUmm.. Names… Dumm Dum.. Ed Flanders! ED FLANDERS! 
• Love this music.. Somewhere between Psycho and … TV movies?
• Meanwhile in Maine.. 2 years earlier.. It is Salem’s Lot.
• This house looks like it is Psycho!
• I have returned… no need to close the Jeep door door… hey.. am I sweating? like a lot?
• Is this some sort of Silent movie with no dialogue… more like Silent a Lot.
• Mongoose vs Snake! This guy must have went to an estate sale… he has all the old junk.
• Everybody knows Antiquities are creepy. Along with that guy’s pencil thin mustache
• This town has a lot of lookie loos..
• Ben Mere looking for a play. Family? Kids?
• Marston House? Vacant for over 20 years. Now it is hot property.
• Used to be a doctor’s office. Waiting for Mr. Barlow. You will find Mr. Barlow well worth the wait. I sent in my Familiar to set everything up.
• You a writer? Down at the Boarding House.
• How come you came here… I’m not a stranger… is exactly what a stranger would say. Not this time of year.
• Oh look… a pretty lady in the grass reading my book… hey lady… why you not respecting my book! Now let me invade your space.
• Air Dancer… why did you call it that? 
• You got a boyfriend… not exactly.
• I lost my wife and have no kids… but I do like to flirt with Art Teachers who read my books… poorly.. and draw on the ground.
• I remember a time when you could just randomly approach a woman on the grass and invite her to diner.
• Hey Creepy old man… You staring at my house… I’m staring at you.
• Man… I feel like The Burbs borrowed from this….
• Lots of really interesting shots.
• Fred Ward is so young here.
• Fred and his secretary are getting it on… and the Weasel likes to watch.
• Weasel like to brown bag drink it. Keep your eye on him and your mouth shut.
• Weasel will spy for anyone… keep your eye on him and your mouth shut.
• He murdered 18 people… What’s he done? 
• Meanwhile down at the graveyard… the keeper and his dog…
• Beer can crushing good time.
• Don’t get drunk… I’m looking for some funn’in tonight. hey.. bring me a beer.
• Theo thought the boarder lady was quite the dish…. married to the weasel…. well divorced and still living there.
• Life in a small town.
• His latest book is about 2 men… Not one of those!
• Take him home to meet the parents for some dinner.
• She came back home as well. So they both have returned home to a small town… Sanctuary.
• This house is holding the essence of evil. Sorry about the peas.
• First date… sure… come over and have dinner with my parents.
• Mom likes my last boyfriend. Tell me about Ned Tibbets.
• She came home. Retreat. Sanctuary.
• 2 years since his wife died… that what you writing about? Nope.. I’m writing about a house.
• He is driving… where are we going? That should be her question… not the driver.
• The Marston house.
• Sideboard taken to house… into the cellar.
• 4 stout padlocks and 2 men. I am heading out of town… Lock all the doors.
• I am a real estate guy and do it all.
• the local school play doing the 1776 Salem’ Lot … Where is daddy… won’t he ever come home? The kids still run the play shit.
• I don’t know how you can work here… scare the hell out of me.
• I need a strong back.. For tonight.. 50 bucks.
• $50 bucks? that is for 2 of you. Strong back…
• Must be creepy working at the cemetery.
• Ned must be here old Bo.
• So the guy who Huck Finned the 2 guys works for Sawyer.
• Let the tension begin!! Don’t diddle my wife… Just kidding… hahaha.. I’m gonna murder you later.
• This Graveyard dog is a bit upset.
• The Graveyard Keeper and the Sorta Ex-bo that Mom likes have 2 strong backs.
• A 6 pack of beer.
• Larry Crocket and Boom Boom Bonnie think he is gone to Portland.
• What would you do if you had a 12 gauge sitting in your garage?
• Oh my gosh… that dead dog is scary.
• Barlow and Straker. (Bram Stoker)
• You want to pry it open? It’s cold… maybe we should pry it open.
• Hey… that box is cold and moving… let’s open it up!!
• He is on beer 3… and is watching… he likes to watch.
• She wants to do it at home. Not at a hotel.
• 1951 … the wind turned the first back to town.. Volunteer firefighters.
• Mark is weird… Just you and the Glick boys don’t disturb your father.
• Those leather seats a the restaurant… about overriding the audio.
• My Aunt worked there… Hubbie Marston!
• I went up there once… on a dare… you know how kids are… I was sweating scared… 
• The house has a history… the young boys in the area started to disappear… 
• I think an Evil house Attracts Evil men. Why did it attract me… am I evil!!
• This crate is stalking us!
• Why is the crate on its side now?
• Ghoul? Girl? Mr. Peterson is a ghoul… an evil being… robs graves… stuff like that.
• Cold Crate! Let’s get it done… let’s open it…
• haha… just as easy to padlock the doors as throw them down… but sure… throw them down.
• Geez… you can’t get good 4th party help these days… My job… pass it onto real estate guy… pass it on to local contractor (secretary’s husband) who hires a couple of townies.
• Oh boy… he got the boy.
• Well well well.. He broke in and tried to rape me. Shutup rapist.
• You invited me… nooo.
• We are going into the living room and talk it over… come on Larry… Man to Man stuff. I like your shorts… you must too… keeping them on like that. Sure look good on ya.
• Grab the barrel Larry… easy… very easy… now hold it in your face… hold it steady Larry… steady… see how much self control you can have… close your eyes Larry… Click click…
• Out of the face gun and into the talk to the vampire hand.
• Here come big bad bear.
• Hey, what’s all the hub bub bub … hey Crocket.
• Holy shit… hey little brother… you forgot me… but don’t worry… I found my pajamas and have floated back home… now can you let me back in… Fuck the Floating Glicks
• All in one night.
• It has only all happened since you got here.
• Faithful the dead dog… killed by a gate…awww man.
• He always wears a black suit… Straker…. cut to Straker in Gray Suit… what happened to your black suit. 
• Conway’s Daughter… nobody has read the book.
• Richard K. no… I don’t know what the K stands for?
• Oh no. He didn’t make it through the 2nd bite.
• They are leaving town… got a black eye and a get out of town free card.
• Now his girlfriend is leaving town as well for a new job.
• Should you trust the old High School drama teacher.
• The Graveyard keeper has made bad life choices.
• ummm…do not recommend jumping into a grave with a casket. So made for TV with the TV stop moment. 
• That population sign needs to be updated. 2013 – 3?
• What has the weasel been up to?
• Ned Tebbets was around here threating to beat you up.
• Oh man… I remember those chemical bottles in that kids room.
• Accountant… at least I can earn a living… I CAN EARN A LIVING!
• Mark is like Fuck Danny… I ain’t falling for that. Go away.
• Do you see the marks? Mike invited someone into the room.. that terrible laughter.
• No.. I’m a baptist… this requires a catholic!
• I want a cruxifix!!
• Mike… you ok? You just taking a rock in the chair… Look at me… ok… Look at me Teacher…
• I revoke my invitation. Survived the vampire but not the 60 years of sedentary lifestyle and fatty foods.
• A little jail nap will do you good. Hey look! It is the guy!! In the Screenshots! eeek
• Marge?
• Mommy Mommy I am so glad to be home.
• Sunday Mass headcount! Something is going on preach!
• A geometric progression of biblical proportions. 6x6x6
• I think there is a train going through your living room. 
• I think there is a bat in your kitchen. Boo! Wrestling move!! Head crackers to the parents.
• Stop Holy Man!! Back Holy Man.
• What would you give for this miserable boy.
• Is your faith enough.
• throw away that cross… faith against faith.
• Bless’est these tongue depressors 
• Just tired. Didn’t sleep well last night. Had a funny dream. HIIISSSSS
• She got the weasel bites. Just like old times.
• Piss Yellow Pontiac.
• Finally, inside the house! I did not think it would be that ran down. Wow.
• Where you going? South… Carolina… I’m out! Not anything. I’m out. Since you are staying… You been deputized.
• He got old man vampire strength. Damn daywalker familiar.
• How many shots does it take to get to the center of a vampire familiar?
• Bill is dead dude.
• Seems like they are always going into the house of the dead at dark.
• Mark… those steps don’t work…
• Ok… so here is the plan. We are going to drag his sorry ass out, Coffin and all, and take him out into the sun… uh oh… backup plan…see what we got in the gym bag while I open his casket… geez this guy needs some dental work… don’t look at him!! sooo uggo… take that you uggo… geez… how dull is this wooden stake… die already you piece of vampire poo. Backup vampires incoming! Hold on… I think I got it… phew… ok… cool cool… this is going to make an awesome book… Susan… where is Susan? Oh well… let’s burn this bitch Mark. Sorry Susan. Suck it. The wind… it is blowing towards town… just like in the play… ohhhhh
• Vocational change… writer turned vampire killer… ohhh… dem other vampires gonna be maaaad at you.
• 2 years later. 
• Ben… we will always be young… love each other forever… I finally found you…
• Look into my green eyes… kiss me… die forever!
• Surprising Stake! It is done. There will be others… do we go now?
• Ooooh no! Full Man Skull in the Moon! End scene.
• David Soul as Ben Mears: The writer-turned-vampire hunter returning to his haunted hometown.
• The Marsten House: The creepy mansion on the hill that holds dark secrets and serves as the epicenter of evil.
• Nosferatu-Inspired Vampires: The film’s master vampire, Kurt Barlow, channels classic horror with a terrifying look.
• Atmosphere and Suspense: How Hooper builds a slow-burn horror atmosphere with every shadow and creak.
• Classic Horror Elements: Coffins, garlic, holy water, and an ancient vampire curse.
• Tobe Hooper’s Direction: Known for The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Hooper brings his signature horror touch to King’s work.
• Small-Town Gothic: How the setting of a sleepy New England town adds to the unsettling atmosphere.
• Stephen King’s Themes: Isolation, the loss of innocence, and the rot hiding beneath small-town Americana.
• The Lasting Influence: How Salem’s Lot set the stage for future vampire stories in TV and film.
• Unforgettable Scares: From the floating vampires at the window to the horrors hidden in the basement.
• The Mini-Series Format: How the extended runtime allowed for a more faithful adaptation of King’s novel.
• The Soundtrack: How the eerie score adds to the sense of dread and suspense throughout.
• The Legacy of Salem’s Lot: Why this miniseries remains a beloved classic for horror fans and Stephen King devotees.
• Memorable Quotes: “Look at me, teacher…” and other chilling lines that stay with you.
• Behind the Scenes: Fun trivia and insights into the production of the film.

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