The Night Strangler Broadcast January 16, 1973 on ABC TV Written by Richard Matheson Directed by Dan Curtis Produced by Dan Curtis Cast: Darren McGavin as Carl Kolchak Simon Oakland as Tony Vincenzo Jo Ann Pflug as Luoise Harper Richard Anderson as Dr. Richard Malcolm Scott Brady as Captain Schubert Wally Cox as Titus Berry Margaret Hamilton as Professor Crabwell John Carradine as Llewellyn Crossbinder Nina Wayne as Charisma Beauty Al Lewis as the Tramp Ivor Francis as Dr. Christopher Webb Virginia Peters as Wilma Krankheimer Kate Murtaugh as Janie Watkins Regina Parton as Merissa Diane Shalet as Joyce Gabriel Anne Randall as Policewoman Francoise Birnheim as Restaurant Woman George DiCenzo as Underground Tour Guide
	Plot Summary:
	Kolchak’s opening narration: “This is the story behind the most incredible series of murders ever to 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.” A strangler is committing this “incredible” series of murders.  And not only do the victims appear to have been choked to death but each had small amounts of blood removed from their bodies, and the killer (or something) had left traces of decomposed flesh on the victims’ necks. Carl Kolchak, now in a new city with a new job, is assigned to what appears to be a lone case of murder, only to find himself covering the much bigger story of a possible serial killer after new bodies surface.  As Kolchak digs deeper, he discovers a pattern of similar murders that occur every twenty-one years and date back to the 1880s.  Like the previous movie, Kolchak is up against an inexplicably aged killer with superhuman strength.  Again, neither his superiors nor the law have any interest in his theories.  He is officially removed from the case but continues to investigate on his own. Where it leads is through a mostly fictitious underground city beneath Seattle and a final confrontation with the ancient killer.                                              Thoughts: While this film doesn’t live up to the greatness that was The Night Stalker, it is still a very good television movie.  It was directed with plenty of style and has that cool look that we expect from a cool ‘70s flick.  There are some classic scenes, the acting is quite good, and the story itself is more than adequate.  I think it is dragged down a bit for its having too many similarities to the first movie.  Furthermore, the climax (where many a great movie are made) lacks the intensity and impact that we are expecting as it approaches.  Regardless, this IS an enjoyable television movie and exceeds many of the beloved television episodes that followed it.  Definitely recommended.                                             Grade: B                           Back To Kolchak Page                             Home Page