As a young lad, I watched "I, Claudius", Salem's Lot, and Night Stalker and found them equally terrifying. My older siblings stayed up late to watch I, Claudius and Night Stalker, and I would often sneak out of bed to watch those TV shows with them, despite being far too young for the adult content.Several years later, the Salem's Lot mini-series was broadcast on television. Even though I was many years older, I found the final episode, featuring the grisly death of Dr. Norton, the vampire horde in the basement, and the reunion with Susan, quite frightening.
All three of the above shows would make good fodder for horror-themed adventures, but I consider Salem's Lot to be particularly inspirational, since i've always wanted to DM a long-running, all-cleric, vampire-hunter themed horror campaign.As far as role-playing adventures go, i'm not familiar with any really good horror adventures. That may simply be because my purchases have favoured traditional fantasy fare.
I'm tempted to buy Salem's Lot, and mine it for adventure ideas.
Oh lordy, the scene where the kid floats through the window creeps me out.
ReplyDeleteAgreed, or even when he's outside the window.
ReplyDeleteThe whole movie feels so claustrophobic.
The book is of course WAY better than the movie. Lots of good stuff in there it was one of my favorites of King when I used to read a lot of his stuff.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a big fan of king but I liked IT.
ReplyDeleteI was thinking about buying the novel. Your recommendation seals the deal.
Thanks!
Yes, I love this mini-series version of 'Salem's Lot -- directed by no less than Tobe Hooper, of Texas Chainsaw Massacre fame.
ReplyDeleteAnd I second the motion for you to try out the novel. I think King's three or four best novels include 'Salem's Lot, The Shining, The Stand, and It. Maybe Cujo and Pet Semetaryare runners-up.
Will have to visit the used bookstore this weekend!
ReplyDeleteChiming in to say the mini series is the suck compared to the book. Also, yeah, The Shining and The Stand are seminal. I think the old boy's collections are his real power though--Night Shift and Skeleton Crew have a ton of monstery goodness I co-opted for campaigns back in ye day.
ReplyDeleteThe books are usually better, thanks for the additional recommendations!
ReplyDeleteSalem's Lot is one of King's earlier novels... his second if I remember correctly. I'm sure you can find SL and more on the cheap at your local used book store. I also believe SK used Lovecraft as a major source of inspiration (in addition to Stoker's Dracula) for SL and "Jerusalem's Lot" the first short story in Night Shift. Jerusalem's Lot, in particular, would make a good horror adventure.
ReplyDeleteIs night shift all short stories. I prefer those to novels.
ReplyDeleteWow talk about coincidence, I started re-reading 'Salem's Lot on my flight back from Toronto yesterday because I wanted to use a King style Vampire setting. Must be something in the Canada water...
ReplyDeleteAaron--Night Shift is all stories. Skeleton Crew is probably a more polished collection overall, but NS has some classic monster stories.
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