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Stephen King’s universe is vast, and his stories have dominated the world of horror for decades. One of his most iconic works is Salem’s Lot, a chilling vampire saga set in the small town of Jerusalem’s Lot. Adapted multiple times for TV, the novel still resonates with fans today. However, something surprising lingers within King’s bibliography: despite Salem’s Lot‘s success, its sequel short story, One for the Road, has never been officially adapted into a Hollywood feature film. Why is that?
In this article, we’ll explore the possible reasons this eerie sequel hasn’t made it to the big screen, why it holds such potential, and why One for the Road deserves more attention than it has received.
The Legacy of ‘Salem’s Lot
Published in 1975, ‘Salem’s Lot was Stephen King’s second novel and catapulted him to the forefront of horror literature. King’s concept was simple yet compelling: What would happen if Dracula came to a contemporary small American town? The answer turned out to be Salem’s Lot, an unforgettable tale of vampires and fear that has influenced countless modern vampire stories.
The success of the novel led to several adaptations, including:
- A 1979 two-part CBS mini-series directed by Tobe Hooper.
- A 2004 TV remake directed by Mikael Salomon.
- The upcoming 2024 film adaptation directed by Gary Dauberman, known for his work on Annabelle Comes Home.
Despite the attention Salem’s Lot has received over the years, the short sequel One for the Road remains untouched by major studios.
What Is “One for the Road”?
One for the Road is a short story that appeared in the 1977 issue of Maine Magazine and was later included in King’s Night Shift collection. The story picks up after the events of Salem’s Lot, exploring the aftermath of the town’s devastation by vampires.
The story is narrated by Booth, an elderly widower, who recalls an incident years prior at Tookey’s Bar in Falmouth, Maine. On a particularly snowy night, a man from New Jersey, Lumley, stumbles into the bar and frantically explains that his wife and daughter are stranded in the nearby town of Jerusalem’s Lot. Booth and Tookey, terrified of the dangers that still haunt the Lot, agree to help Lumley, knowing full well they are heading into a town crawling with vampires.
It’s a short yet chilling tale, atmospheric and tense, but for some reason, Hollywood has never come knocking.
The Chilling Atmosphere of One for the Road
One of the standout aspects of One for the Road is its tone. It’s a slow burn, filled with a creeping dread that builds as Booth and Tookey approach Jerusalem’s Lot. Unlike the sprawling narrative of Salem’s Lot, this short story focuses on a simple, terrifying event. Despite being brief, One for the Road taps into primal fears of isolation, the cold, and the unknown. These are perfect elements for a horror film, so why hasn’t it been adapted?
Short Length: A Challenge or Opportunity?
One argument often made against adapting One for the Road is its length. As a short story, it doesn’t seem substantial enough for a feature-length film. But King’s short works have found cinematic success before, with films like Stand By Me (adapted from The Body) and The Shawshank Redemption proving that even short narratives can be expanded into something larger.
Moreover, King’s prequel to Salem’s Lot, Jerusalem’s Lot (not to be confused with the novel), was successfully adapted into the 2021 TV series Chapelwaite. This shows that short stories within the same universe can thrive with proper adaptation.
So, is the length of One for the Road really the issue? Or could its story be expanded just like other short King works?
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Expanding the Story: Missed Opportunities
There are several ways that One for the Road could be fleshed out into a full-length feature. For instance, the story briefly mentions a truck driver named Richie Messina, who dared to stay the night at the infamous Marsten House. Richie is never seen again, but his fate could easily become a subplot or even an integral part of the film.
Expanding Booth and Tookey’s backstories or the social dynamic of Jerusalem’s Lot before it fell to the vampires would also add depth. The eerie concept of a burned-out vampire town is rich with cinematic potential, offering directors and writers a goldmine of material to explore.
Ageism in Hollywood: Another Barrier?
One less obvious but potentially significant reason One for the Road has been ignored by studios could be ageism. The two main characters, Booth and Tookey, are older men—something that doesn’t appeal to Hollywood’s desire for young, marketable stars. There’s a well-known bias in the industry, with studios often favoring younger protagonists in an attempt to draw in younger audiences.
Yet, the fact that Booth and Tookey are older is a strength of the story. Their age makes them reflective, wise, and aware of their limitations, which adds emotional weight to their decision to venture into the Lot. Casting actors like David Strathairn as Booth or Nick Nolte as Tookey could turn One for the Road into a gripping tale of bravery and horror in the twilight years of life.
The “Dollar Baby” Adaptations
Interestingly, One for the Road hasn’t been entirely neglected by filmmakers. Through King’s Dollar Baby program—a deal where aspiring filmmakers can buy the rights to adapt one of his short stories for $1—there have been several unofficial adaptations of the tale.
In 2011, Irish actor Paul Ward directed a 22-minute short based on the story, complete with terrifying vampire sequences. More recently, filmmaker William Rush directed a 45-minute adaptation in 2023, tweaking the story by sex-swapping the character Tookey and adding new characters to make the narrative more diverse.
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These efforts demonstrate that One for the Road can, indeed, be adapted. However, despite their passion and creativity, these adaptations remain unofficial and limited in scope.
Is It Too Simple for a Feature?
At its core, One for the Road is a straightforward horror story. Two old men helping a stranger in a storm sounds simple, but the real horror lies in what isn’t said. The looming presence of vampires in the shadows of a snowstorm evokes a unique brand of suspense that could translate beautifully to the screen.
But simplicity hasn’t stopped other Stephen King adaptations. Films like The Boogeyman have proven that a single, chilling idea can be enough to build a successful horror film. With the right creative team, One for the Road could follow suit.
The Influence of Salem’s Lot on Other Works
While One for the Road hasn’t made it to Hollywood, it has left its mark in other ways. The themes and events of Salem’s Lot have been referenced in King’s other works, particularly the Dark Tower series. The character of Father Donald Callahan, who plays a significant role in Salem’s Lot, also makes a return in The Dark Tower books.
There’s also the 2017 Dark Tower film, which gave fans a brief nod to the events of Salem’s Lot by including Barlow & Straker’s Antiques shop. Though One for the Road remains unadapted, its universe is very much alive in King’s greater literary world.
What Fans Have to Say
Fans of King’s work have long clamored for an adaptation of One for the Road. For many, it’s one of his most chilling short stories, and its connection to Salem’s Lot only makes it more appealing. The fact that several fan-made adaptations exist shows that there is a demand for this story to be brought to life on screen.
Conclusion: A Missed Opportunity for Hollywood
It’s baffling that a story as gripping and cinematic as One for the Road has never been adapted into a Hollywood feature film. From its eerie atmosphere to its chilling ties to Salem’s Lot, this story has all the ingredients for a successful horror film. The short story’s length may present a challenge, but with creative expansion, it could easily be transformed into a full-length film, much like other successful Stephen King adaptations.
As we’ve seen from the Dollar Baby adaptations, there’s certainly a desire from filmmakers to take on this project. So, the question remains: Will Hollywood ever take the plunge?
FAQs
1. Why hasn’t Hollywood adapted One for the Road yet?
Hollywood has yet to adapt One for the Road due to its short length and possibly its focus on older protagonists, which may not appeal to mainstream studios seeking younger, marketable stars.
2. Can One for the Road be expanded into a full-length film?
Yes, with the right creative team, One for the Road could be expanded. Several aspects, such as Richie Messina’s fate and the town’s vampire lore, could be further explored.
3. Has anyone tried adapting One for the Road?
Yes, multiple filmmakers have adapted the story unofficially through Stephen King’s Dollar Baby program. These fan films are impressive but limited in scope compared to a Hollywood production.