Kolchak: The Night Stalker (1974–1975)

A newspaper reporter investigates strange supernatural occurrences in Chicago.

Creator:

Jeffrey Grant Rice

Stars:

Darren McGavin, Simon Oakland, Jack Grinnage

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Darren McGavin	...	Carl Kolchak (20 episodes, 1974-1975)
Simon Oakland	...	Tony Vincenzo (20 episodes, 1974-1975)
Jack Grinnage	...	Ron Updyke (18 episodes, 1974-1975)
Ruth McDevitt	...	Emily Cowles (12 episodes, 1974-1975)

Storyline

Carl Kolchak was a reporter for Chicago's Independent News Service, and a trouble magnet for situations involving the supernatural. Kolchak turned his investigative skills to vampires, werewolves, zombies and all manner of legendary creatures, but in the end he always failed to convince his skeptical editor, Tony Vincenzo, that the stories weren't products of Kolchak's own overworked imagination.

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Plot Keywords:

supernatural | reporter | newspaper | police | cult tv | 

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Taglines:

One man's quest to uncover the truth,

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Genres:

Comedy | Horror | Mystery | Thriller

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Details

Official Sites:

Compete episode guide, photos, QT movies, cast info, and programming listings

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

13 September 1974 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Night Stalker

Filming Locations:

Colonial Street, Backlot, Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Francy Productions, Universal TV

Technical Specs

Runtime:

51 min 51 min (20 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

4:3

Did You Know?

Trivia

Actor Richard Kiel, before he became best known as the killer "Jaws" in the James Bond movies, was cast in two episodes as the monster. He first appeared as the "Diablero" in "Bad Medicine" and later as the swamp monster in "The Spanish Moss Murders."

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Goofs

Many of the stories take place in the winter months, but there is never any snow, and even if there was no snow, it is highly unlikely one would be driving a convertible with the top down during the winter months in Chicago.

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Quotes

Carl Kolchak: Is there anybody important here?
Receptionist: No, just reporters.

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Connections

Featured in The Sopranos: Meadowlands (1999)

User Reviews

Fantastic show, and still one of my childhood favorites!

I grew up being mesmerized by Kolchak and his witty, interesting, sometimes bumbling reporting style that dug up the goods on the city's night time other-world bad guys (and gals). I haven't seen but one or two episodes since I watched the originals in the 70s and would love to see them again. I might have to break down and actually buy the videos of the shows. Also, I hear ABC is going to remake the series and show it in the fall (2005). Not sure how it's going to go over and if they're going to capture that 70s atmosphere. If they don't have Darren McGavin in there or someone as superb and funny as he was/is, I'm not sure if the show will go over like it did when I was a youngster. That, and they'll be competing with all the latest gizmo-loaded, hi-tech, sci-fi shows and movies that have sprung up over the past few years. I won't go into detail about any of the episodes since other commenters have done so very eloquently. Just suffice it to say that you'll either love this series or not, but I'm betting that you'll love it.