The Night Stalker (TV Movie 1972)

Awards
- 2 wins & 1 nomination

Top cast26

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Darren McGavin

Carl Kolchak

Carol Lynley

Gail Foster

Simon Oakland

Tony Vincenzo

Ralph Meeker

Bernie Jenks

Claude Akins

Sheriff Butcher

Charles McGraw

Chief Masterson

Kent Smith

D.A. Paine

Elisha Cook Jr.

Mickey Crawford

Stanley Adams

Fred Hurley

Larry Linville

Makurji

Jordan Rhodes

Dr. O'Brien

Barry Atwater

Janos Skorzeny

Don Ames

Reporter
(uncredited)

Irene Cagen

Shelley Forbes
(uncredited)

Rudy Doucette

Reporter
(uncredited)

Patty Elder

Cheryl Hughes
(uncredited)

Edward Faulkner

Las Vegas Policeman
(uncredited)

Sig Frohlich

Reporter
(uncredited)

Director
- John Llewellyn Moxey
Writers
All cast & crew
Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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Trivia
The original script by Richard Matheson called for Carl Kolchak to be dressed in Bermuda shorts and wearing an Aloha shirt. Actor Darren McGavin said, "That doesn't sound like anyone I know," and elected to use a different wardrobe. While reading up on the character, McGavin noted that Kolchak had been fired from a New York newspaper years before, and thought, "That's it! He hasn't bought a new suit since!" So, Kolchak appeared in a circa 1950s suit.

Goofs
In the climactic showdown scene, when a weakened Skorzeny (Barry Atwater) is laying against the stairs he turns around to see Jenks holding the chrome cross close to his face. Apparently seeing his face in the reflection of the cross (and possibly being startled by his appearance), Atwater begins to laugh, and the camera quickly cuts away to another shot.

Quotes
Carl Kolchak: This nut thinks he's a vampire!

Connections
Featured in Trilogy of Terror (1975)

Soundtracks
Manhattan
Music by Richard Rodgers
Lyrics by Lorenz Hart
Performed by Darren McGavin

McGavin, Wild Stories Made This A Fun TV Series

For those who remember this television show, re-visiting it on VHS or DVD is a nostalgic experience. Darren McGavin was a likable, funny guy as "Carl Kolchak," a reporter for an independent news service who chases after vampires and assorted weirdos.

In this pilot show, "Kolchak" goes after a vampire in Las Vegas. Ah, a good place for any bloodsucker. Since this was on television back in the early-to-mid '70s, you see a thriller with no gore and no profanity and you also get to see the beautiful Carol Lynley's face again.

Darrin McGavin was an underrated actor, a guy who always seemed to make whatever character he was playing an interesting guy. He was great in this short (2 years, I think) television series.

The only annoying part of the this film and the TV series is all the hostility toward Kolchak, particularly by his loud and obnoxious employer, "Tony Vincenzo," played by Simon Oakland.