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IMDbPro

Kolchak: The Night Stalker

  • TV Series
  • 1974–19751974–1975
  • TV-PGTV-PG
  • 51m
IMDb RATING
8.5/10
5.5K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,177
75
Kolchak: The Night Stalker (1974)
Kolchak: The Night Stalker
Play trailer1:05
1 Video
99+ Photos
HorrorMysteryThriller
Carl Kolchak is a reporter for a Chicago newspaper. Through more accident than design he ends up investigating homicides, many of which involve supernatural forces. Ultimately, rather than r... Read allCarl Kolchak is a reporter for a Chicago newspaper. Through more accident than design he ends up investigating homicides, many of which involve supernatural forces. Ultimately, rather than reporting on the crimes, he solves them.Carl Kolchak is a reporter for a Chicago newspaper. Through more accident than design he ends up investigating homicides, many of which involve supernatural forces. Ultimately, rather than reporting on the crimes, he solves them.
IMDb RATING
8.5/10
5.5K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,177
75
    • Jeffrey Grant Rice
  • Stars
    • Darren McGavin
    • Simon Oakland
    • Jack Grinnage
    • Jeffrey Grant Rice
  • Stars
    • Darren McGavin
    • Simon Oakland
    • Jack Grinnage
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 91User reviews
    • 28Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards

    Episodes20

    Browse episodes
    TopTop-rated
    1 Season

    Videos1

    Kolchak: The Night Stalker
    Trailer 1:05
    Watch Kolchak: The Night Stalker

    Photos134

    Jackie Vernon in Kolchak: The Night Stalker (1974)
    Kathie Browne and Darren McGavin in Kolchak: The Night Stalker (1974)
    John Dehner and Darren McGavin in Kolchak: The Night Stalker (1974)
    Darren McGavin in Kolchak: The Night Stalker (1974)
    Ned Glass, Darren McGavin, and Phil Silvers in Kolchak: The Night Stalker (1974)
    Fred Beir in Kolchak: The Night Stalker (1974)
    Darren McGavin in Kolchak: The Night Stalker (1974)
    Simon Oakland in Kolchak: The Night Stalker (1974)
    Darren McGavin in Kolchak: The Night Stalker (1974)
    Rob Berger and Darren McGavin in Kolchak: The Night Stalker (1974)
    Peter Leeds and Darren McGavin in Kolchak: The Night Stalker (1974)
    Darren McGavin in Kolchak: The Night Stalker (1974)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Darren McGavin
    Darren McGavin
    • Carl Kolchak
    Simon Oakland
    Simon Oakland
    • Tony Vincenzo
    Jack Grinnage
    Jack Grinnage
    • Ron Updyke
    Ruth McDevitt
    Ruth McDevitt
    • Emily Cowles…
    Craig R. Baxley
    Craig R. Baxley
    • Mr. R.I.N.G.…
    John Fiedler
    John Fiedler
    • Gordon Spangler…
    Carol Ann Susi
    Carol Ann Susi
    • Monique Marmelstein
    Don Mantooth
    • Paul Langlois - Sleep Subject…
    Dennis McCarthy
    Dennis McCarthy
    • Ballistics Man…
    Keith Walker
    • 1st Reporter…
    Bill Deiz
    • 2nd Reporter…
    Keenan Wynn
    Keenan Wynn
    • Capt. Joe 'Mad Dog' Siska
    Ramon Bieri
    Ramon Bieri
    • Captain Joe Baker…
    Richard Kiel
    Richard Kiel
    • The Diablero…
    Ned Glass
    Ned Glass
    • Apartment Superintendent…
    Vince Howard
    Vince Howard
    • Policeman
    Alyscia Maxwell
    • 3rd Reporter…
    Alice Backes
    Alice Backes
    • Dr. Shropell…
      • Jeffrey Grant Rice
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The series was cancelled because Darren McGavin asked to be released from his contract. He became disappointed with the series' scripts and was exhausted from his uncredited producing duties. Three scripts were left unproduced. Two of them were adapted into a "Kolchak" series of comic books in 2003.
    • 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.
    • Quotes

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

    • Crazy credits
      During opening credits, Kolchak throws his hat at a wall hook, it misses and falls into the garbage. When the show first aired, there was an alternate opening where he threw his hat, it stays on the hook, and Kolchak has a surprised look on his face. This was Darren McGavin's genuine reaction, as he had not expected it to happen. After the first few episodes, the opening was changed to the one that is currently shown on reruns and media releases.
    • Connections
      Edited into Cynful Movies: Kolchak The Night Stalker (2019)

    User reviews91

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    Gotta Love that Carl Kolchack
    I was in junior high when this show premiered and I remember how funny and creepy it was. Darren McGavin, no matter what role he was in, was and still is, an excellent actor. He absolutely made the world weary Carl Kolchak believable. I loved the scenes with him and Simon Oakland as boss Tony Vincenzo. Kolchak always had a great comeback line when Vincenzo was outraged and appalled by Kolchak's supernatural interests. This show was cancelled way too soon, it was just hitting it's stride. Granted, some of the episodes were silly and the costumes (especially the Werewolf costume) were goofy, but some of the episodes were really scary and extremely well written. I wish they had made more of the episodes. My personal favorite is "Horror in the Heights", this one combined horror with social commentary about antisemitism and the plight of poor senior citizens. Ahead of it's time. If you are young and have never seen any of these wonderful shows, go to Ebay or Amazon and you can buy them. Well worth the money.
    helpful•41
    2
    • tamstrat
    • Apr 14, 2005

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 13, 1974 (United States)
      • United States
      • Compete episode guide, photos, QT movies, cast info, and programming listings
      • Memorable Entertainment TV
      • English
    • Also known as
    • Filming locations
      • University of Chicago, Hyde Park, Chicago, Illinois, USA
    • Production companies
      • Francy Productions
      • Universal Television
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • 51 minutes
      • Mono

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