Chopper 

Land development disturbs the final resting place of a headless, sword-wielding cyclist who hunts down and beheads the rival gang bikers who killed him.

Director:

Bruce Kessler

Writers:

Jeffrey Grant Rice (created by) (as Jeff Rice), Steve Fisher (teleplay)

Stars:

Darren McGavin, Simon Oakland, Larry Linville

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Darren McGavin	...	Carl Kolchak
Simon Oakland	...	Tony Vincenzo
Larry Linville	...	Captain Jonas
Art Metrano	...	Henry 'Studs' Spake (as Arthur Metrano)
Sharon Farrell	...	Lila Morton
Frank Aletter	...	Norman Kahill
Jay Robinson	...	Prof. Eli Strig
Jesse White	...	Security Guard
Jim Backus	...	Herb Bresson
Jack Grinnage	...	Ron Updyke
Ruth McDevitt	...	Emily Cowles
Steve Franken	...	Neil
Joey Aresco	...	Electric Larry
Jimmy Murphy	...	Beaner
Jack Bernardi	...	Otto

Storyline

Former members of a biker gang from the 50s are being decapitated, and a key witness claims that the murders are being committed by a headless figure on a motorcycle wielding a sword. Kolchak pieces the story together and finds that the specter is out to avenge his death due to some rather unusual circumstances surrounding his burial.

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Plot Keywords:

headless horseman | decapitated head | investigation | revenge | supernatural horror | 

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Genres:

Horror | Mystery | Thriller

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

31 January 1975 (USA)

Filming Locations:

N Franklin St and W Chicago Ave, Chicago, Illinois, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Francy Productions,Universal Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

51 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The phrase of the times that Tony tries to utilize is "Lay it on me," not "Whip it on me."

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Goofs

At the time of the episode airing Chicago was still the second most populous city in the United States. The property warehouse for the city and county would have been far larger than the small garage that is the setting for most of the episode.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Carl Kolchak: The teenage years - sixteen candles, fervent passions, aimless joyrides, and the forbidden taste of beer - a time the world allows for sowing one's wild oats; but, for some individuals I came to know in the summer of their discontent, it had been a time when they had sown the seeds of their own destruction.

User Reviews

Great guest actors

Typically I don't review individual episodes, but this one is simply too good to not comment on.Larry Linville gives a great performance that can only remind one of M*A*S*H (1972)'s "feret face" especially when talking to Kolchek in Linville's office and how Kolchek craftily gets information out of him reminiscent of Hawkeye interactions.Gilligan's Island (1964)'s Jim Backus gives a great bit performance as well.Simon Oakland gives a performance above his typical Kolchek performances.Now the effect of the headless motorcycle rider is terrible and has to be ignored.