''Kolchak, The Night Stalker'' (1974-1975)

By Crusader1307

 An American Television Movie and Series Franchise, ''Kolchak, The Night Stalker'' was a popular early 1970s Horror romp, which featured well known Television and Film Character Actor Darren McGavin. Playing a ''hardboiled'' (and hapless) Newspaper Reporter named Carl Kolchak. Kolchak. The franchise started with the 1972 made for television movie ''The Night Stalker''. Kolchak, working in Las Vegas – stumbles across proof of a modern day Vampire prowling the streets. Although local Police assume that the vampire is actually a demented serial killer who ''thinks He is a vampire'' – Kolchak discovers that the killer may actually be one! The movie was the highest rated made for TV film of 1972. So popular if fact, that in 1973, a sequel film ''The Night Strangler'' was released. This time, Kolchak is working in Seattle, Washington State – when He uncovers a series of murders which happen every 21 years. Turns out the serial killer here is in reality a 130 year old (immortal) Doctor who needs the fluid from human glads to perfect His ''Elixir of Life'' (sound familiar?) and while not as popular (ratings wise) – it too would become a Cult classic.


Studios decided to further capitalize on Kolchak by creating a television series based on His continuing exploits. ''Kolchak, The Night Stalker'' premiered in 1974 on The American Broadcasting Network (ABC). Every week, Carl solved another strange case of The Paranormal, Aliens, Vampires etc. Often, big named Stars of Film and TV appeared. Unfortunately, it was The Studio that ''killed'' Kolchak. Constantly moving air times (confusing it's audiences), plus the fact that by 1975 most teenagers (the series fan base), were not staying at home at night anymore. After 20, 1-hour episodes – ''The Night Stalker'' ended. Plans were attempted in the 1980s to revive the series, but Darren McGavin's health was starting to fail. It was never revisited.


In 2005, a weak attempt to reboot The Show – with another Actor (Peter Townshed) as Kolchak (McGavin had passed by then). Ideas to CGI him into The News Office giving His ''blessing'' to another reporter (passing the gauntlet as it were), fell flat with Producers. This Kolchak did not fair well. Too cerebral with little chills and thrills, this version failed after 10 episodes. Yet again, plans were put into play with Disney Studios to use Johnny Depp as Kolchak in a big screen version. It died in pre-production. Still, Kolchak, The Night Stalker – for all it's ''dated'' camp – is significant in Horror History. Noted ''X-Files'' series Creator Chris Carter, widely stated that His world known Sci-Fi/Horror/Fantasy Hit was inspired by ''Kolchak'' (when He watched it as a kid). ''Kolchak, The Night Stalker'' is still widely available on many Mediums........watch it!