Again, the writers of "Kolchak" go for a menace outside of the "classic" monsters and come up with a winner. We get spontaneous combustion, as well as a vengeful spirit who inhabits a celebrated music conductor while he sleeps. It sounds a little hokey (which "Kolchak" episode doesn't?), but surprisingly it generates some real frights. The scenes of the doppleganger lurking at the windows of the church, beckoning with a smile for Kolchak to leave hallowed ground, is reminiscent of some scenes from "The Twilight Zone," and the sense of danger throughout is tense.
Usually, Kolchak is on the periphery of the spooky happenings he investigates, but in "Firefall" he is a target of the doppleganger. It raises the stakes for Carl, and puts him into some more frightening situations (he survives two attempts the Doppleganger makes to flambe him). It also makes for some nice comedy inside the INS newsroom, as Kolchak (working on three days of no sleep) tries to stay on his feet. Simon Oakland's dumbfounded discovery that Kolchak has looted the petty cash box is hilarious.
The climax of this one, set in the arcade where Markoff was murdered, is particularly effective. As the fire encircles Kolchak, he commands the spirit to re-enter its body. It reminded me a bit of the ending of "The Zombie," where Kolchak stares down death to return the killer to the grave.moreless
EDIT
Episode Summary
A series of mysterious deaths plague the life of conductor Ryder Bond. In each case, the victim is incinerated by supernaturally hot flames. As Kolchak investigates, he finds out that an arsonist, Frankie Markoff, was a fan of Bond's, and was killed in a penny arcade. His funeral procession crossed Bond's car, allowing the spirit to become a "doppelganger" and try to take over Bond's life. Each victim was burned to death when they fell asleep, and if Bond goes to sleep the doppelganger will take him over for good. Fighting sleep himself, Kolchak must exhume Markoff's body and reunite it with his restless spirit before he too bursts into flame.moreless
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Simon Oakland
Tony Vincenzo
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Darren McGavin
Carl Kolchak
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Jack Grinnage
Ron Updyke
Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions
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Trivia
ADD TRIVIA- The third victim is incinerated while driving a car in downtown Chicago, although the plot establishes that the ghost can only incinerate people when they are asleep. Try dozing off in Chicago downtown traffic! Edit
- When Carl is digging up Markoff's grave by himself, there are flashlight beams erratically shining on his back despite the fact he is alone. That's because the footage here is used from "The Zombie," which had a sequence where men were shining a light on Carl as he dug up a grave. Edit
- When Mason dies and the ghost departs, Carl's voiceover says 6:40, but the later on-the-spot testimony by the witness places it five minutes later. Edit
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Notes
ADD NOTES- The actor who played Burt, Gary Glanz, previously played Keeter Hudson in "They Have Been, They Are, They Will Be." Edit
- For some reason Mark Dawidziak, the primary Kolchak archiver and researcher around, invariably uses the title "Fire Fall" when referring to this episode. Some reference books and web sites have followed his lead. Nonetheless, the episode title as it appears here is taken directly from the on-screen credit. Edit
- Also known as "The Doppelganger" in syndication. Edit
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Quotes
ADD QUOTES- Maria: Y'know, Kolchak, I have this friend; he's a doctor...and Lou's always complaining 'cause his friends want free advice. Kolchak: Uh huh... Maria: Gypsies have the same problem. Kolchak: Aw, Maria... Edit
- Maria: It's just terrible to be broke and superstitious at the same time. Edit
- Maria: Should your paths cross that of a lying reporter, don't tell him anything, particularly about any robberies you may have seen. He will quote you, then mysteriously police will arrive at your door. Edit
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Allusions
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