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Kolchak: The Night Stalker

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ABC (ended 1975)

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Gislef

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Show Summary

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Kolchak was originally two made-for-TV movies that aired in the early 70's, and featured the adventures of Carl Kolchak, a down-on-the heels reporter who ran afoul of a vampire in Las Vegas and an alchemist in Seattle. These movies proved popular enough that they were spun off into a series, which placed Kolchak in Chicago with the Independent News Service. Each week for 20 weeks he investigated various supernatural and supranatural creatures, ranging from aliens to vampires to Aztec sacrificial cults. Although it only lasted one season on ABC, Kolchak has remained a cult favorite and been kept alive through the efforts of creator Jeffrey Grant Rice, Mark Dawidziak, and the folks at Moonstone Comics, who have two Kolchak comics going (see Links). There's an anthology of Kolchak stories coming out this year and discussion of a new Night Stalker (2005) series produced by The X-Files's Frank Spotnitz for ABC.moreless

Episode Guide

S 1 : Ep 20	The Sentry	Aired 3/28/75	go Netflix Subscription Amazon Buy iTunes Buy
S 1 : Ep 19	The Youth Killer	Aired 3/14/75	go Netflix Subscription Amazon Buy iTunes Buy
S 1 : Ep 18	The Knightly Murders	Aired 3/7/75	go Netflix Subscription Amazon Buy iTunes Buy
S 1 : Ep 17	Legacy of Terror	Aired 2/14/75	go Netflix Subscription Amazon Buy iTunes Buy
S 1 : Ep 16	Demon in Lace	Aired 2/7/75	go Netflix Subscription Amazon Buy iTunes Buy

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Cast & Crew

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Darren McGavin	Carl Kolchak
Simon Oakland	Tony Vincenzo

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Fan Reviews (20)

The Night Stalker still delivers its fright quotient!

8.0

By raymcardle, Mar 19, 2013

By Raymond C. McArdle -The television series was preceded by two very successful made-for-television movies, and the first season of the TV series reflected the fine writing, creative plots, and outstanding acting (and character acting), which is unmistakable in these movies. However, and regrettably, even Darren McGavin and Simon Oakland couldn't salvage many of the episodes from the last season. Still, most of the first season episodes ( and the mentioned pilot movies) have held most of their fright quotient through the years.moreless
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There's a Vampire loose in Vegas. No one believes or wants to believe it's true. Investigative reporter and local smart alic Carl Kolchak knows it's true. The Police can't stop him, people are dying, no one's safe. How do you kill what's already dead?moreless

10

By luvinthe70s, Jun 20, 2011

An absolute TV Cult Gem! This movie literally scared the dickens out of me as a child, as well as literally millions of others who first viewed it back in the early 70's. Besides from setting Nielsen records for the most watched television show in history at that time, it created a new look to tv horror entertainment. This was no lame TV show, with minimal frights. This movie down right gave you the chills. It kind of placed the question in your head, did this really happen? Could it happen where I live? Am I truly safe with all the windows and doors locked? Darren McGavins voice over narration was another innovative touch and it gave the story line an even creepier feel to it. He was giving us a play by play to the terrible events that were ocurring. Ergo: There's a Vampire on the loose! The police can't even stop him! Would someone please listen to Kolchak! I was creeped out to say the least, hugging onto the covers and my dog. My only relief was when a commercial came on to breakup the downright fear I felt in my gut. As well as that touch of comedy with exchanges between McGavin and his loud mouth editor and chief Antonio Vinchenzo played by Simon Oakland. Their exchanges were both hilarious and exhilerating. Because of its well thought storyline this is a must watch, top notch thriller that still holds up solidly even by todays standards. And any child boomer of the 70's has to place this on their top notch movies to watch if they haven't already. And remember to ask yourself, did this happen, can this happen, and what if it does happen.moreless
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Kolchak:The Night Stalker was chessy ontake on the paranormal back in the 70's.I remember it on CBS and not having a long shelf life. Kolchak:The Night Stalker gave Chris Carter producer of The X-Files the inspiration for the show.Thank you Kolchakmoreless

5.0

By Lauryn2000, Mar 01, 2011

Cheesy but fun for that time in the 70's,Chris Carter even gave homage to the actor that played Kolchak in season seven of The X-Files.Look for a revamp Kolchak:The Night Stalker to reappear on ABC from Frank Spotnitz who spent several season's writing on The X-Files with Chris Carter.Stay Tuned!
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Well worth a look despite the campiness.

7.0

By CommanderBalok, Mar 01, 2011

Kolchak: The Night Stalker gets a bad rap sometimes for its camp elements. This tends to make people overlook the show's strengths. Darren McGavin (Kolchak) and Simon Oakland (his boss, Vincenzo), the two leads, played well against each other. Vincenzo's strident skepticism served as an excellent sounding board against which Kolchak was forced to expound his various theories about the supernatural. The writing was good; drawing on legends to build decent stories, and incorporating interesting side characters and frequently witty dialog. Special effects, well, this was the seventies, and the show was made on a low budget. Let's just say that many other shows did a better job and leave it there. The show isn't Emmy quality, but it IS a good, enjoyable watch for horror fans.moreless
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Before X-Files There Was Kolchak

7.6

By TankCop, Mar 01, 2011

Kolchak was to his time what X-Files was to ours.

A stunning, mysterous, and some what funny dive into the world of the unknown.

It covered things like A Lizard Monster Underneth New York City, A Age sucking witch, a shape shifting monster, and even a few vampires and other comon monster.

The show was ahead of its time and a true classic.
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Screaming for Streaming: Over 60 Scary TV Shows and Movies to Watch Online Right Now

With less than a week until Halloween, you've got plenty of viewing to do.

By C. Killian, Oct 27, 2011

ONE OF THE MINDS BEHIND X-FILES AND THE RECENT NIGHT STALKER REMAKE TALKS TO TV.COM ABOUT CREEPINESS, DARREN MCGAVIN, AND '80S MOVIES.

Interview with Frank Spotnitz

By Colin Mahan, May 26, 2006

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Watch Full Episodes: Kolchak: The Night Stalker

go

Netflix

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Amazon

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iTunes

Buy

The Sentry

S 1 : Ep 20

Aired 3/28/75
go

Netflix

Subscription

Amazon

Buy

iTunes

Buy

The Youth Killer

S 1 : Ep 19

Aired 3/14/75 (50:16)
go

Netflix

Subscription

Amazon

Buy

iTunes

Buy

The Knightly Murders

S 1 : Ep 18

Aired 3/7/75 (50:12)
go

Netflix

Subscription

Amazon

Buy

iTunes

Buy

Legacy of Terror

S 1 : Ep 17

Aired 2/14/75 (50:11)

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Forums: Kolchak: The Night Stalker

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The TV movies before it.
Yesterday, I bought the The Night Stalker/The Night Strangler double feature on DVD. This shows Carl's life before Chicago in Las ...

By walrus_8463, Jun 15, 2006

08/16/08

9
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The DVDs
anyone kno if there's DVD of entire series? and at good deal maybe? :)

By trustno1files, May 13, 2007

07/15/08

4
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Favorite (and least favorite) episodes?
Mine is either "The Ripper," or "Horror in the Heights." Least favorite is "Mr. RING."I blind bought this series after hearing abo...

By jamoon2006, Feb 07, 2007

05/19/08

6
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Dan Curtis - Dead at 78
Dan Curtis, producer of the original DARK SHADOWS and the NIGHT STALKER TV movies, has died of brain cancer at the age of 78. Curt...

By Gislef, Mar 29, 2006

03/29/06

1
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R.I.P. Darren
For those who do not yet know, Darren McGavin passed away on February 25, 2006 at 7:15 am. He will surely be missed. -Joe

By Joe_Randazzo, Feb 26, 2006

03/10/06

7
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