One of this fall’s biggest horror events is the launch of Stephen King’sSalem’s Loton Max. The acclaimed horror author’s premiere vampire story is set to be introduced to the world, and will be the first adaption of the novel in over two decades, after the release of Rob Lowe’s 2004 miniseries. There are many prominent characters in the story, but there is one in particular that not only impacts the outcome of the novel, but becomescentral to one of King’s most epic seriesto date. That character isFather Callahan.
The priest of Jeruselum’s Lot, Father Donald Frank Callahan, is a local Roman Catholic priest who struggles with personal addiction. However, as the local population begins disappearing, he is convinced to aid the protagonists, writer Bean Mears and young Mark Petrie, along with a cast of characters to face the growing vampire threat. However, the character moves far from this novel as time goes on, eventually becoming a key member of the Gunslinger’s band of heroes inThe Dark Towerduring a crucial and pivotal moment in time. Who is Father Callahan, and what is hisultimate role in Stephen King’s works?
Father Callahan in Stephen King’s Books
Father Donald Callahan’s first appearance was, of course, inSalem’s Lot. The character was a struggling alcoholic who was asked to preside over the funeral of Danny Glick, a young boy who lost his lifeto the vampire Kurt Barlow. However, as time goes on and more and more people within the town begin to disappear, Ben Mears and Mark Petrie, along with teacher Matt Burke, Susan Norton, and Jimmy Cody, convince the Father that the vampire threat is real. They ask him to join them on their hunt for Barlow at the long-abandoned mansion recently acquired by Barlow’s familiar, Straker. However, Barlow anticipated their attack, and left a recently turned ally of theirs behind for them to destroy instead.
In retaliation for their attempted attack, Barlow infiltrates and ends the lives of Mark Petrie’s parents, and threatens to do the same to the boy. Father Callahan uses his faith and nearly drives off the powerful vampire. However, when his faith falters, the vampire is able to dispatch the priest, forcing him to drink his blood to mark him to the world as “unclean” while not fullyturning him into a vampire. Defeated, Father Callahan leaves behind Jersuselem’s Lot after his attempt to reenter his own church results in his hand being burned and scarred.
While his story inSalem’s Lotends there, his importance toStephen King’sother works continues. It is revealed inThe Dark Tower V: Wolves of the Callathat the former priest has since moved to New York City, living as a vagrant who can see vampires all around him. He determines there are three types of vampires. Type 1 vamps, like Barlow, are nearly immortal. Type 2 vampires can make other Type 2 or Type 3 vampires. Type 3 vampires can’t turn others, but can transfer diseases to their human prey. After a good friend and someone he comes to love dies from a Type 3 attack, Father Callahan begins hunting down vampires in the city. In doing so, he attracts the attention of themost prominent threat in theDark Towerseries, The Crimson King.
The villain sends his Low Men, creatures who work for him, to hire a pair of criminal brothers to hunt down Father Callahan. After ending the life of another friend of his and attacking Callahan, the Father is saved by two men who will be close allies of The Gunslinger later in the series. One of the Crimson King’s top soldiers lures Callahan into atrap filled with vampires, but before they can get him, he jumps out of the building’s window, thinking it will end his life forever. However, he wakes up in the Gunslinger’s world, and ends up in a small village. There he meets Roland the Gunslinger and his allies, or “katet,” and joins them in their quest. He eventually rediscovers his faith, realizing it was never the cross that failed him against Barlow, and he faces his ultimate test.
Father Callahan in Max’s Salem’s Lot
While there are many pivotal characters that the upcoming Max series needs to get just right, there may be nonemore crucial to Stephen King’s worksthan Father Callahan. The man represents the classic idea of faith versus evil, the belief that faith and heart can overcome the darkest of evils, and what it means to falter and fail in the face of overwhelming odds yet survive. His emotional journey and the shocking face-to-face battle of wills with the vampire Barlow makes him a monumental character to behold.
Yet his character also transcends this project. With his story becoming so memorableto fans of theDark Towerseries, the arrival of this adaptation on Max makesStephen King’swork and upcoming slate of other adaptions more important than anyone could have known. Father Callahan andSalem’s Lotmay be the tipping point in driving forward a more comprehensive, connected and cohesive Stephen King universe, one that is set to be tapped into with Mike Flanigan’s upcoming adaption of theDark Towerseries. Before that can happen, however, Father Callahan, set to be played by John Benjamin Hickey, needs to deliver the powerful performance that his character became known for in the novel.
