"Kolchak: The Night Stalker" (1974) TV series 1974-1975

Creator:

Jeffrey Grant Rice
(more)

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

13 September 1974 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Horror | Mystery | Thriller

Tagline:

One man's quest to uncover the truth,

Plot:

A newspaper reporter investigates strange supernatural occurrences in Chicago.

Plot Keywords:

Supernatural | Reporter | Newspaper | Police | Cult TV

Awards:

1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

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)

Series Directed by
Don Weis		(4 episodes, 1974-1975)
Allen Baron		(4 episodes, 1974)
Alexander Grasshoff		(3 episodes, 1974)
Don McDougall		(2 episodes, 1975)

Series Writing credits
Jeffrey Grant Rice		(20 episodes, 1974-1975)
David Chase		(8 episodes, 1974-1975)
Rudolph Borchert		(5 episodes, 1974-1975)
John Huff		(3 episodes, 1974-1975)
L. Ford Neale		(3 episodes, 1974-1975)
Bill S. Ballinger		(2 episodes, 1974-1975)
Arthur Rowe		(2 episodes, 1974-1975)
Dirk Wayne Summers		(2 episodes, 1974-1975)
Michael Kozoll		(2 episodes, 1975)

Series Produced by
Cy Chermak	....	producer (18 episodes, 1974-1975)
Darren McGavin	....	executive producer (4 episodes, 1974)
Paul Playdon	....	producer (2 episodes, 1974)

Series Original Music by
Jerry Fielding		(13 episodes, 1974-1975)
Gil Melle		(7 episodes, 1974-1975)

Series Cinematography by
Ronald W. Browne		(17 episodes, 1974-1975)

Series Film Editing by
Robert M. Leeds		(10 episodes, 1974-1975)
John Elias		(9 episodes, 1974-1975)
Anthony Redman		(7 episodes, 1974-1975)
Larry Strong		(4 episodes, 1974-1975)
Howard Terrill		(3 episodes, 1974)
Edward W. Williams		(2 episodes, 1975)

Series Art Direction by
Raymond Beal		(19 episodes, 1974-1975)

Series Set Decoration by
Robert George Freer		(16 episodes, 1974-1975)

Series Production Management
Ralph Sariego	....	unit manager (20 episodes, 1974-1975)

Series Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
David Hawks	....	assistant director (10 episodes, 1974-1975)
William Holbrook	....	assistant director (9 episodes, 1974-1975)

Series Art Department
Ron Greenwood	....	assistant property master (5 episodes, 1975)

Series Sound Department
John K. Kean	....	sound (19 episodes, 1974-1975)

Series Stunts
Paul Baxley	....	stunt coordinator (19 episodes, 1974-1975)
Craig R. Baxley	....	stunts (7 episodes, 1974-1975)
Gary Baxley	....	stunts (6 episodes, 1974-1975)

Series Costume and Wardrobe Department
Bill Jobe	....	costumes (17 episodes, 1974-1975)

Series Editorial Department
Richard Belding	....	editorial supervisor (20 episodes, 1974-1975)

Series Music Department
Hal Mooney	....	music supervisor (20 episodes, 1974-1975)
Gil Melle	....	composer: theme music (15 episodes, 1974-1975)

Series Other crew
David Chase	....	story consultant (20 episodes, 1974-1975)
Jack Cole	....	title designer: main titles (20 episodes, 1974-1975)

Production Companies

• Francy Productions
• Universal TV

Distributors

• American Broadcasting Company (ABC) (1974-1975) (USA) (TV) (original airing)
• MCA/Universal Home Video (????) (USA) (VHS)
• MGM/UA Home Entertainment (????) (USA) (VHS)
• Studios USA Television (????) (USA) (TV)
• Universal TV (????) (USA) (TV) (syndication)
• World Beyond Video (????) (USA) (VHS)

Other Companies

• Universal City Studios  filmed at

Also Known As:

Runtime:

51 min (20 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Argentina:13 | Australia:PG | New Zealand:PG

Filming Locations:

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

Company:

Francy Productions

Trivia:

Darren McGavin is often incorrectly considered to be, and listed in many official references guides, as the show's Executive Producer. In fact, he never held the position, although he unofficially assumed many of the duties. This put him at odds with Paul Playdon and then Cy Chermak, the official producers appointed by Universal.

Goofs:

Factual errors: 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.

Quotes:

Carl Kolchak:If you want a job done right, you just have to foul it up yourself.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "The Sopranos: Meadowlands (#1.4)" (1999)

Yeah, old Carl was the real McCoy!

Absolutely at the top of the TV horror tree. Up there with THE TWILIGHT ZONE and THE OUTER LIMITS. Whats happenening these days? "Sabrina, The Teenage Witch", "Buffy?" "Charmed?"...Jeez, give me a break!

Darren McGavin absolutely made this his own - one of the most under-rated actors in history. His verbals with boss Vincenzo (Simon Oakland) were legendary. You KNEW Vincenzo loved him like a brother! Each week a new monster/creature of the night and each week, crucifix, silver bullet or just plain insult, Kolchak had the "beast of the week" under wraps before you could say "Bela Lugosi". You just KNEW it was safe to go outside again.

OK, so it tended towards the "campy" sometimes? sheesh, this was 1974 for God's sakes! This show ruled and if you are unfortunate enough to be less than 40, then bad luck!