Centuries after being buried alive by an angry mob, the vampire awakens in the 1970s and has to adjust to 20th century life - and, wouldn’t you know it, comedic chaos ensues. Set in Maine in 1790, the film’s protagonist ( played, of course, by Johnny Depp) is a philandering English settler who becomes a vampire after being cursed by a jealous witch.

While “Beetlejuice” may be the director’s most notable film set in New England, Burton’s 2012 comedy “Dark Shadows” pulls from the region’s literary history to craft a uniquely American fantasy tale. Tim Burton’s films make up the majority of my “required viewing” list around Halloween (mostly because I love the dramatic scores and spooky plots, partly because I can’t handle anything scarier). If you like what you read and want it in your inbox, sign up here. (Robin Lubbock/WBUR)Įditor's Note: This is an excerpt from WBUR's Saturday morning newsletter, The Weekender. was one of the many locations in town where scenes for 'Castle Rock' were filmed. Facebook Email The graveyard in Orange, Mass.