He did the best he could with the script but was poorly cast.

In 1979, Burke was played by a white, frail, Lew Ayres. It is the Burke character that provides the intellectual underpinnings of the story in what is otherwise a tale of supernatural madness. The combination weakens both elements.Īlso weakened in the mini-series is the teacher, Matt Burke whose name is inexplicably changed to Jacob Burke – perhaps to give the character more intellectual heft. Bill Norton, as Susan’s father, is essential in the development of Ben Mears as a gentleman. Cody was an especially important character in driving the plot as Ben Mears decides to confront the evil in ‘Salem’s Lot. Jim Cody is amalgamated with Susan Norton’s father. In the 1979 version, the important character of Dr. Books develop characters in a much stronger manner. This is necessary because a film must have a sharper focus and quicker pace than a book to keep the audience engaged. When books are converted into movies, characters are often eliminated or amalgamated. Given the cultural and technological limitations of the day, Tobe Hooper’s ‘Salem’s Lot captured the essence of the King novel. Perhaps it was the fact that David Soul of “ Starsky and Hutch' fame played the lead.

Perhaps it is the 1970s era, made for television production values. Horror fans seem to hold this particular King adaptation in low regard. ‘Salem’s Lot was the second Stephen King novel to make the transfer from print to celluloid.

Salem lot movie scenes