Kolchak: The Night Stalker (renamed for episodes 5-20)
Regular Cast:
Darren McGavin as Carl Kolchak
Simon Oakland as Tony Vincenzo
Semi-regular Cast:
Jack Grinnage as Ron Updyke (18 eps)
Ruth McDevitt as Emily Cowles (12 eps*)
Carol Ann Susi as Monique Marmelstein (3 eps)
John Fiedler as Gordon Spangler (3 eps)
*Ruth McDevitt played in episode 1 as a different character
1. The Ripper
September 13, 1974
Written by: Rudolph Borchert
Directed by: Allen Baron
Guest Stars: Ken Lynch, Beatrice Colen, Mickey Gilbert, and Ruth McDevitt
In the series premiere, we follow along with Kolchak as he tracks the original Jack The Ripper. Kolchak figures out that ‘The Ripper’ is still alive and has been showing up around the world in intervals of so many years, taking five victims at each appearance. He is now striking in Chicago, and once again, Carl must go it alone.
This episode is extremely similar to the two movies that spawned the series. Obviously, this plot worked so well the first two times, why not repeat it with just minor changes. The difference is that this time the script is much more vague, and the condensed time leaves little room for elaboration. If someone had not seen the two movies prior to this episode, it would appear more original, and the suspense and dialogue would carry the day. The ending is almost unbearably suspenseful, if unoriginal, and really buoys this episode’s rating. This is essentially a suspenseful movie crammed into a 45 minute time slot. There are simply too many unanswered questions to give this an A, but it is well-paced and has a killer closing 10 minutes.
Grade: B
2. The Zombie
September 20, 1974
Written by: Zekial Marko
Directed by: Alex Grasshoff
Guest Stars: Charles Aidman, Antonio Fargas, Pauline Myers, and Earl Faison.
In this episode, we find Kolchak mixed up in rival Chicago gangs, Haitian voodoo, and tracking a vengeful zombie that is snapping his victims’ spines like twigs!
This seems like a silly episode on its face. Underneath this flimsy-appearing facade, we have a show with a really cool, dark “70s” feel and actual sub-plots! And, most importantly, it is capped off with a really spine-tingling ending! In fact, these first two episodes are most notable for their suspenseful climactic confrontations. The stories would get better, but the endings were never topped.
Grade: B
3. U.F.O. (titled They Have Been, They Are, They Will Be when aired)
September 27, 1974
Written by: Rudolph Borchert
Directed by: Allen Baron
Guest Stars: James Gregory, Mary Wickes, Dick Van Patten, Tony Rizzo, et al.
In this episode, the writers (Rudolph Borchert – story by Dennis Clark) almost go overboard with the plethora of details pertaining to the “monster-of-the-week.” The monster this time is an unseen alien presence that seeks out electricity, kills mammals (human and otherwise) for their bone marrow, leaves behind a black gooey substance, attacks with a wind-like force, and is ultimately “defeated” or scared off by the actions and sounds of a clunky camera! If it sounds like too much, well…..it is and it isn’t. This show has several strengths: First, the foe is never seen. It is merely felt. One of the greatest drawbacks to this series is the cheesiness of its monsters. They try hiding them or showing us only glimpses of them, but in every case what is revealed is too unreal for the viewer’s good senses. In this show, when dealing with a presence, this problem is averted. Secondly, there is element of conspiracy in this episode. There are government agents, suppressed information, and a feeling of us against THEM as opposed to us against IT. And lastly, this is another well-paced episode with great direction from Allen Baron.
What is wrong with the episode? Two things. The customary unexplained ‘little details.’ And a weakening final third, culminating with a big mistake at the end – after not showing us anything too cheesy for 45 minutes, they elect to show us a pathetic looking spaceship at the climax! I’m afraid that tiny aluminum spacecraft may ruin it for you, but I give it a………
Grade: C
4. The Vampire
October 4, 1974
Written by: David Chase
Directed by: Don Weis
Guest Stars: Kathleen Nolan, Suzanne Charney, and William Daniels
There are strange murders occurring out west, between Las Vegas and L.A. An old friend of Carl’s from Vegas is visiting Chicago and tells Carl about these crimes. The fact that the victims are drained of their blood is enough information for Kolchak to know that these people are the victims of a vampire. Yet another Vegas vampire! Carl weasels his way into an unrelated assignment and heads west to investigate.
This is a sequel, of sorts, to the highly successful Night Stalker movie wherein Kolchak did battle with a vampire in Las Vegas. This time the vampire has made it to L.A., and there are a few twists. The big twist comes halfway through, and I won’t ruin it for you. This is a good one! The ending is another winner, with the final scene of the confrontation being quite spectacular.
Grade: A
