 The Sutter Cane character is clearly based on  John Carpenter (I) (qv)s friend Stephen King (I) (qv), even  referencing Kings New England roots, with Hobbs Corner filling in  for Kings Castle Rock. Carpenter directed a film version of Kings  _Christine (1983)_ (qv). Additionally Michael De Luca (qv) had  previously written the screenplay for the King adaptation  _Lawnmower Man, The (1987)_ (qv).