The Night Strangler

Episode 2, Aired

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A serial killer is on the loose in Seattle, a killer who drains small amounts of blood from the women he strangles. Only reporter Carl Kolchak suspects that the killer's abilities and origins may be supernatural in origin - but can he stop the killings before the murderer disappears for good?

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Fan Episode Reviews (3)

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  • The Night Strangler

    8.5
    "Great"
    By ThomasVaulton, Apr 15, 2012
    magine this scenario, classic horror fans: the novelist who wrote The Last Man On Earth teams up with the producer who created Dark Shadows for a series of television movies involving a pain- in-the- ass, hard-nosed newspaper reporter who covers crimes involving the supernatural. No need to use your imagination, this really happened. The movie The Night Stalker aired on ABC television on January 11, 1972, and featured reporter Carl Kolchak. In this first movie, written by Matheson, and produced by Dan Curtis, who also brought to the small screen the classic Trilogy of Terror, starred actor Darrin McGavin debuting as the character he would later make famous in the movie sequel and television series. http://www.zombielogicblog.blogspot.com/2012/04/zombielogics-incredibly-brief-movie_14.htmlmoreless

  • The rare sequel that is better than the original.

    8.5
    "Great"
    By jseger9000, Apr 17, 2011
    After having the story of a lifetime snatched away from him, ever-down-at-the-heel reporter Carl Kolchak has drifted to Seattle. By a coincidence that could only happen in a movie, his former editor also relocated to Seattle and offers him a job.

    There's a murder loose in Patriot Square, strangling young women. Carl's investigations soon uncover details that exasperate his editor and make the police nervous.

    The Night Strangler is a better move than The Night Stalker in every way. I enjoyed The Night Stalker, but the lackluster direction really handicapped it.

    After the success of that movie, producer Dan Curtis (Dark Shadows, Trilogy of Terror, lots of other scary stuff) realized that he really had something. For the sequel, he wisely kept what worked (the same writer and actors) but he took over directorial duties himself.

    The Night Strangler benefits greatly from this and has a much creepier atmosphere right from the beginning. Also, the 'monster' this time out is more intriguing and the mystery is sussed out over the course of the movie in a more satisfying way.

    McGavin again is fantastic as Kolchak. That actor playing that character was a match made in heaven. Plus there's plenty of fun cameos from Margaret Hamilton (the Wicked Witch of the West), Al Lewis (Grandpa Munster), Wally Cox and John Carradine.

    The Night Strangler is an excellent example of '70's TV horror. Highly recommended.moreless

  • Investigative reported Carl Kolchak with a penchant for the bizarre, the supernatrual, and the occult, resurfaces again. This time Seattle, Washington is his place and he goes after another serial killer.moreless

    10
    "Perfect"
    By frank91165, Mar 10, 2007
    In a follow up to the original 1972 hit TV movie. Our hero Carl Kolchak now works in Seattle, Washington. During this film he find a Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde like serial killer lurking in the catacombs of The Seattle Underground. From 1889 to 1973 a serial killer go out for two weeks, strangles the victims and drains the blood in the process. The killings take place every twenty one years through a news historian and much to the chagrin of his cantankerous boss Anthony(Tony) Vincenzo. He also finds out through a college professor about a secret anti-aging elixor. Our killer is a former Union Army Surgeon who uses blood to stop his aging process.

    A great supporting cast in this film is included. Al Lewis(Grandpa Munster), Margeret Hamilton(The Wicked Witch on the Wizard OF Oz), Scott Brady, JoAnne Pflug, Wally Cox(The Voice of Underdog, and his final appearance), Richard Anderson(Oscar Goldman of The Six Million Dollar Man and The Bionic Woman).moreless
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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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  • TRIVIA (1)

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    • When the killer busts into the restaurant and attacks the sixth victim, there's a scream on the soundtrack but the woman's mouth doesn't move on the screen.

  • QUOTES (5)

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    • Kolchak: I'm just a dumb reporter doing his job. Dr. Malcolm: You grovel nicely, Mr. ...er...? Kolchak: Kolchak. Kolchak, sir.

    • Vincenzo: Go to Journalism School, my father said. It's a good, sound, down-to-earth profession. Kolchak: Don't you want to hear this? Vincenzo: What I want to do is raise tulips for a living but there's not enough demand.

    • [opening narration] Carl Kolchak: This is the story behind the most incredible series of murders to ever occur in the city of Seattle, Washington. You never read about them in your local newspapers or heard about them on your local radio or television station. Why? Because the facts were watered down, torn apart, and reassembled... in a word, falsified.

    • Crossbinder: Get this straight, Mr. Kolchak. No carnival or hoopla tactics on this paper. This isn't Fun Town, USA. This is Seattle.

    • (hearing Kolchak ranting in a bar) Vincenzo: Take a look around that corner, and see if there isn't someone that looks like he just came from a road company performance of "The Front Page."

  • NOTES (3)

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    • Bill Spiedel who makes an uncredited cameo appearance plays himself. He is the founder of Seattle Underground Tours.

    • The quickly made sequel to the original made-for-TV movie that inspired it all - only Darren McGavin and Simon Oakland appear throughout both movies and the series.

    • The originally aired version deleted some footage with Al Lewis and Kolchak's co-worker Janis Watkins. The more recent DVD version restores their scenes. There is also a deleted scene featuring George Tobias as a reporter, Jimmy Stacks, who followed the Malcolm story and who Kolchak consults. Some syndicated versions include this scene as well.

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