Kolchak: The Night Stalker

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.html

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.

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).