Kolchak: The Night Stalker

FavoritedFavorite 21
ABC (ended 1975)
EDIT

Show Summary

  • Ended
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
8.3
out of 10
Average Rating: Great
327 votes
  • Your Rating: 10
    "Perfect"
  • Your Rating: 9.5
    "Superb"
  • Your Rating: 9
    "Superb"
  • Your Rating: 8.5
    "Great"
  • Your Rating: 8
    "Great"
  • Your Rating: 7.5
    "Good"
  • Your Rating: 7
    "Good"
  • Your Rating: 6.5
    "Fair"
  • Your Rating: 6
    "Fair"
  • Your Rating: 5.5
    "Mediocre"
  • Your Rating: 5
    "Mediocre"
  • Your Rating: 4.5
    "Poor"
  • Your Rating: 4
    "Poor"
  • Your Rating: 3.5
    "Bad"
  • Your Rating: 3
    "Bad"
  • Your Rating: 2.5
    "Terrible"
  • Your Rating: 2
    "Terrible"
  • Your Rating: 1.5
    "Abysmal"
  • Your Rating: 1
    "Abysmal"
Rate It

Episode Guide

See All
S 1 :  Ep 20 Aired 3/28/75
go
Amazon
Buy
iTunes
Buy
S 1 :  Ep 19 Aired 3/14/75
go
Netflix
Subscription
Amazon
Buy
iTunes
Buy
S 1 :  Ep 18 Aired 3/7/75
go
Netflix
Subscription
Amazon
Buy
iTunes
Buy
S 1 :  Ep 17 Aired 2/14/75
go
Netflix
Subscription
Amazon
Buy
iTunes
Buy
S 1 :  Ep 16 Aired 2/7/75
go
Netflix
Subscription
Amazon
Buy
iTunes
Buy

Watch Kolchak: The Night Stalker Full Episodes

See All

Kolchak: The Night Stalker News

See All
  • Screaming for Streaming: Over 60 Scary TV Shows and Movies to Watch Online Right Now 28

    Screaming for Streaming: Over 60 Scary TV Shows and Movies to Watch Online Right Now

    By C. Killian, Oct 27, 2011

    Oh, Halloween. Once called All Hallow's Eve, it's a day that even Wikipedia can't quite define (I would consult my encyclopedia, but it spontaneously combusted when the internet was born). Over the years, the holiday has evolved into a celebration… more

  • Interview with Frank Spotnitz 4

    Interview with Frank Spotnitz

    By Colin Mahan, May 26, 2006

    Fan Alert: Tuesday, May 30, from 7-9 p.m., Night Stalker executive producer Frank Spotnitz and series stars Stuart Townsend and Gabrielle Union will be signing copies of the Night Stalker DVD at the Best Buy, 1015 N. La Brea Ave,… more

Cast & Crew

See All EDIT

Fan Reviews (19)

See All

  • 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
    "Perfect"
    By luvinthe70s, Jun 20, 2011 Report Abuse
    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

    DO YOU AGREE?

    2 1

  • 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
    "Mediocre"
    By Lauryn2000, Mar 01, 2011 Report Abuse
    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!

    DO YOU AGREE?

    1 0

  • Well worth a look despite the campiness.

    7.0
    "Good"
    By CommanderBalok, Mar 01, 2011 Report Abuse
    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

    DO YOU AGREE?

    2 0

  • Before X-Files There Was Kolchak

    7.6
    "Good"
    By TankCop, Mar 01, 2011 Report Abuse
    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.

    DO YOU AGREE?

    2 0

  • This show from the 70's was campy horror/comedy mixture that was spawned from a hit made for TV movie,that at the time was the highest rated tv movie ever.

    8.6
    "Great"
    By bengalguy, Mar 01, 2011 Report Abuse
    Kolchak,(Darrin McGavin) is a reporter for a Chicago newspaper who always finds himself investigating supernatural occurences. His problem is that nobody including his editor will believe him about what he encounters. The police always try to cover up what he has discovered and he always loses any evidence that he has obtained. In the end Kolchak usually solves the problem by putting the monster of the week to its demise. Kolchaks stories and plots were much better the first season than the second and some of the monsters were downright silly looking but if you take the series for what it is I think it is a great show that led the way for other similiar shows such as X-Files.moreless

    DO YOU AGREE?

    1 0
 

Forums

See All
Last Activity
Replies
  • 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
    Reply
  • 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
    Reply
  • 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
    Reply
  • 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
    Reply
  • 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
    Reply

Photos

See All

Related Shows

Contributors

Become a contributor
More
Less

TV Listings

Full Listings

Categories

Drama, Fantasy, Horror, Suspense

Themes

Beings From Another World, Celebrity Cameos, Demonic Resurrection, Hostile Monsters, Mysterious Forces

BROWSE | Shows | Videos | News | Listings | Forums | People | Photos | TV.com Blog

CBS Entertainment | About TV.com | About CBS Interactive | Jobs | Advertise

© 2012 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. | Privacy Policy | Ad Choice | Terms of Use