Salem's Lot Details

Larry Cohen can always be relied upon for quirky reinterpretations of horror myths. In this genuine treat for undead cultists, he pitches his tone a long way from the original Stephen King book for a loose semi-sequel. Cohen regular Michael Moriarty, plays an anthropologist arriving, with son Ricky Addison Reed, in the infamous title locale to take over an inherited farmhouse, only to find the vampire population want him to set down their venerable history for posterity. This is unique in the annals of fang-in-cheek fright for actually delving into the practicalities of being a vampire — how to touch up lipgloss after blood-sucking, breed daylight-tolerant offspring and buy real estate that will accrue in value. Cohen happily whittles away at the American Dream, offering plenty of satire and allegory, as well as examining moral dilemmas, plus fine performances by old-timers June Havoc, Evelyn Keyes and director Samuel Fuller, who steals the show as a single-minded vampire hunter.