DVD Patrol: Stephen King

There are writers out there who are able to write all types of emotions and feelings into their work that make a story what it is. One person who manages to scare the hell out of us with his storytelling is none other that the Master of Fear himself, Stephen King. I couldn’t think of a better Toddster team up for this coming Halloween. My Ghostbusting crew and I have found some movies based on King’s work and wanted to share some of our feelings and scary memories with you. Read on if you dare.

BRIAN GOLDEN

Salem’s Lot (1979)

My fascination with vampires began long before the modern soap opera, glitzy, Twilight nonsense we’re forced to endure these days. Instead, I learned about the blood-sucking creatures of the night at a young age from the master of horror himself, Stephen King.

Salem’s Lot, based on King’s novel of the same name, originally appeared on television in 1979, telling the story of author Ben Mears as he returns to his hometown to research a book on the reputably haunted Marsten house.

Now owned by the mysterious Richard Straker (and his supposed business partner Kurt Barlow), the Marsten house has an evil reputation with the local populace, and shortly after the strange delivery of a large crate at the residence, vampires begin making appearances as they slowly consume the town.

In the end we find out that Barlow’s an ancient master vampire (and probably the scariest portrayal of an undead being that I’ve ever seen) and Ben and fellow survivor Mark Petrie escape the town, attempting to flee the remaining vampires.

I watched Salem’s Lot for the first time at a young age with my movie-buff stepfather and I don’t think I’ve ever been so scared in my life. My stepfather was always good at explaining to me the difference between “movie reality” and real life, yet in the case of Salem’s Lot, that made no difference whatsoever.

While this made-for-television movie certainly didn’t boast the kind of production budget as other Stephen King movie adaptations, the overall feel and the finished product were done well enough that, even now, over two decades later, the images of Barlow in full vampire mode are enough to give me nightmares for weeks. A truly frightening flick.

MELISSA STAGNARO

Misery (1990)

I’m not a fan of scary novels or movies, but even I can recognize Stephen King as the ultimate master of the psychological horror genre. No one can twist the ordinary into the macabre like he can. The imagery he creates with his words slips under your skin, lingers in your brain and, ultimately, ends up your nightmares. (I read the first two paragraphs of Cujo years ago, and had to sleep with the light on for two weeks. He’s that good.)