The Night Stalker

THE NIGHT STALKER, the telefilm adapted from the then unpublished novel THE KOLCHAK TAPES by Jeff Rice, presents viewers with a most frightening and utterly BELIEVABLE vampire, Janos Skorzeny (Barry Atwater), a creature who resembles a tormented heroin addict more so than the glamorized, two-dimensional vampire fare of Anne Rice and Buffyland. Darren McGavin's gritty portrayal of Carl Kolchak, the intrepid newshound on the vampire's trail, is certainly the most inspired role of his career. Of all the horror films in existence, THE NIGHT STALKER is certainly at the top of this genre's list for its surrealistic, cinema verite photography, first-rate acting, top-notch directing (John Llewelyn Moxey) and for its "The Front Page Meets Dracula" screenplay by fantasy veteran Richard Matheson. This is a telefilm that chills as well as offers a parable about political corruption and deceit. Now how timely is that?