MovieChat Forums > Salem's Lot (1979) Discussion > Did the vampire invitation rule apply in...

Did the vampire invitation rule apply in this universe?

posted 8 years ago by movie_nazi
21 replies | jump to latest

The reason I ask is because when the old guy Jason finds Ryerson in his house sitting on the rocking chair, he gets him out by holding up a cross and he states, "I rescind my invitation!" . However, a few scenes later, we see Barlow make his entrance into the house where the kid lives and proceed to murder his parents where no invitation was given or did I miss something?

I personally think the invitation rule is silly along with no reflections but to each his own.

My Vote history: http://www.imdb.com/user/ur1914996/ratings

[–] gary_overman 8 years ago

The reason I ask is because when the old guy Jason finds Ryerson in his house sitting on the rocking chair, he gets him out by holding up a cross and he states, "I rescind my invitation!" . However, a few scenes later, we see Barlow make his entrance into the house where the kid lives and proceed to murder his parents where no invitation was given or did I miss something?

I personally think the invitation rule is silly along with no reflections but to each his own.

Here is a link to a nice big long thread on this very question.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0079844/board/nest/247920925?p=1

[–] jangoq 8 years ago

That thread is courtesy of yours truly. ☺

[–] gary_overman 8 years ago

That thread is courtesy of yours truly.

I think it is one of the better threads on this board, too.

[–] stones78 8 years ago

If I hear the words "plot hole" one more time...

[–] jangoq 8 years ago

plot hole, plot hole, plot hole, plot hole, plot hole, plot hole.lol

[–] RobsBottin 8 years ago

It's often been said that it's a major plot hole and I tend to agree but I was thinking about this last night; perhaps Hooper decided to simply break convention? He wouldn't be the first and I can't imagine how Hooper could have directed the scene in any other way.

Mike Ryerson was human when Jason Burke invited him in to his house, he is eventually turned but the invitation is 'live'. How would Barlow receive an invitation exactly? A hissing Nosferatu, who cannot speak, would be the last person on my wish list, however had Barlow's character stayed faithful to the novel then a scene involving an invitation could have been achieved quite easily.

It's all a deep end.

[–] movie_nazi 8 years ago

Mike Ryerson was human when Jason Burke invited him in to his house, he is eventually turned but the invitation is 'live'.

Actually I thought of a new theory. A lot of modern vampire flicks tend to not incorporate a lot of the traditional rules. Perhaps Jason was mistaken that you can rescind invitations and it was something he saw on TV and the only reason Ryerson was repelled was because of the cross he held in his hand.

My Vote history: http://www.imdb.com/user/ur1914996/ratings

[–] jangoq 8 years ago

Yeah but this movie does incorporate a lot of the traditional rules. Had this been the Twilight movie or some other concoction then yeah it would make sense because they go against tradition just for the sake of it. If Jason made a mistake I would think that Hooper would have highlighted it.

Your point is correct with the newer movies, but I'm not sure about this one.

[–] jangoq 8 years ago

Was Barlow invited to their house in the book?

[–] gary_overman 8 years ago

Was Barlow invited to their house in the book?

No; like I said in the original thread (the one that you started) he was not. This is a goof in all three versions of the story.

[–] jangoq 8 years ago

I know Gary. RobsBottin seem to imply that he would have been invited had the movie Barlow lined up with the book Barlow so I thought I'd poke him on the subject a little bit.

[–] RobsBottin 8 years ago

I think you misunderstand me, my point is very simple; if Barlow's character was as per Stephen Kings novel then perhaps Tobe Hooper would have included a scene whereby Barlow uses his powers of seduction and thus an invitation is granted by one of his unsuspecting victims.

Hoopers version of Barlow doesn't allow for any sort of 'human' interaction so I'm guessing Tobe decided to let Barlow gate crash the Petrie house hold. Personally I don't care a jot for convention and I think it's one of the best scenes in the movie.

[–] jangoq 8 years ago

Poke.

[–] RobsBottin 8 years ago

No, and I never suggested that he was.

It's all a deep end.

[–] TheSolarSailor 8 years ago

So, the clique is going out of their way to warp what you say, eh? Typical and the reason why they suck the life out of this discussion page. I love how the two of them flood a thread and ruin it.

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I am not a fan. I just happen to enjoy movies. Fans are embarrassing.

[–] jangoq 8 years ago

Yes. Threads that ask questions that have been dealt with multiple times, over and over and over and over and over and over again, tend to get ruined.

The process to avoid cliques destroying threads like this is to go through previous threads first before posting the new thread, this makes sure they haven't already been discussed and discussed and discussed already.

[–] gary_overman 8 years ago

Yes. Threads that ask questions that have been dealt with multiple times, over and over and over and over and over and over again, tend to get ruined.

The process to avoid cliques destroying threads like this is to go through previous threads first before posting the new thread, this makes sure they haven't already been discussed and discussed and discussed already.

Yes; I was wondering why the OP felt a new thread was needed as well, because like you say, most of these topics have already been thoroughly covered in other threads.

[–] jangoq 8 years ago

I'm taking a hiatus from here Gary. I can't continue to spend energy on analyzing a movie that has affected me my entire life since it was created with people who just saw it a year ago. Haven't heard from Stones lately.

I have a long standing thought concerning similarities of this movie with some biblical components, the whole 'Second Coming' theme in this movie has origins I'm not sure if some on here are ready to hear.

Anyway, I'm temporarily departing so that others can share there ideas in a more fresh way without the interference of someone like myself.

Be good ole timer.

[–] gary_overman 8 years ago

The sailor won't drive me off the board. Neither you nor I have done anything to remotely justify his little tantrums and I honestly can't figure out what his problem with us is.

So I hate to see you go, Mr M. Please return soon.

[–] RobsBottin 8 years ago

They can 'warp' away it makes no odds to me, I made a very valid point which most people will understand.

It's all a deep end.

[–] TheSolarSailor 8 years ago

Twelve posts from the clique duo as they hijack the thread with only seven replies from others. LOL!

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I am not a fan. I just happen to enjoy movies. Fans are embarrassing.