This particular episode offers a welcome and refreshing departure from the usual formula. For once, Carl Kolchak (the always terrific Darren McGavin) gets a partner in the form of tough, but hearty and helpful construction boss and Native American shaman Jim Elkhorn (a marvelously warm and engaging performance by longtime favorite B-movie perennial William Smith), who assists Kolchak in combating a powerful ancient Native American spirit called the Matchemonedo that's terrorizing a newly opened hospital built over its resting place. Moreover, the authorities actually listen to Kolchak and take measures to dispose of the pesky spirit. Director Alexander Grasshoff, working from an intriguing script by Arthur Rowe and Rudolph Borchery, maintains a steady pace throughout and does an able job of creating a compellingly spooky and mysterious atmosphere in the opening half. The supporting cast is likewise up to par: Elaine Giftos brightens things up as perky nurse Janis Eisen, Michael Strong does well as pragmatic architectural engineer Walter Green, Simon Oakland is in fine cantankerous form as the ever irascible Tony Vincenzo, and there are funny bits by John Mitchum as a folksy janitor and Joyce Jillson as the fetching Diana Lanier. Ronald W. Browne's crisp cinematography boasts several nice aerial shots of the city. Luchi DeJesus provides a lively and rousing score. A fun show.
14 Reviews
A lively episode.
Hey_Sweden7 August 2012
Warning: Spoilers
Persistent investigative reporter Carl Kolchak is once again up against a nemesis of the Indian persuasion; this time, it's a pesky "bear god" spirit named Matchemonedo that has been awakened by the construction of a hospital. Now strange electrocutions are killing people and the building's basement is falling apart. Fortunately, Kolchak isn't alone in his fight this time. For one thing, people actually listen to him for once when they are unable to deny the evidence, and steps are taken to deal with this spirit. Kolchak is not working alone this time, either. Right by his side is Jim Elkhorn, an Indian shaman in the construction business. This is a fun and offbeat role, and the almighty movie tough guy William Smith is engaging in his portrayal. He and series star Darren McGavin sure make for an interesting team as they check out the building and do some detective work.
The spirit doesn't ever make an appearance in the physical sense, but photographic evidence later captures part of its essence. The physical special effects are well done and create a palpable intensity. There are also plenty of laughs throughout, with McGavin as energetic and priceless as he's ever been. It's hilarious to see in instances like this just how much of a pest he can be. (Of course, he's always proved right in the end.) The roster of guest stars do praiseworthy work, from beautiful Elaine Giftos as helpful nurse Janis Eisen, Robert Yuro as an impatient detective, super sexy Joyce Jillson as Jim's neighbour, and Robert Cornthwaite of "The Thing from Another World" fame as Dr. Hartfield.
The premise is pretty interesting, even for this series, and leads to a typically strong finale wherein Kolchak has to do some thinking on his own. Yes, when it comes right down to it, there will always be that moment where the intrepid reporter will work alone. This is a fun story from start to finish, and it's particularly nice to see Jack Grinnage, the portrayer of I.N.S. employee Ron Updyke, elevated to co-starring status in the opening credits.
Eight out of 10.
The spirit doesn't ever make an appearance in the physical sense, but photographic evidence later captures part of its essence. The physical special effects are well done and create a palpable intensity. There are also plenty of laughs throughout, with McGavin as energetic and priceless as he's ever been. It's hilarious to see in instances like this just how much of a pest he can be. (Of course, he's always proved right in the end.) The roster of guest stars do praiseworthy work, from beautiful Elaine Giftos as helpful nurse Janis Eisen, Robert Yuro as an impatient detective, super sexy Joyce Jillson as Jim's neighbour, and Robert Cornthwaite of "The Thing from Another World" fame as Dr. Hartfield.
The premise is pretty interesting, even for this series, and leads to a typically strong finale wherein Kolchak has to do some thinking on his own. Yes, when it comes right down to it, there will always be that moment where the intrepid reporter will work alone. This is a fun story from start to finish, and it's particularly nice to see Jack Grinnage, the portrayer of I.N.S. employee Ron Updyke, elevated to co-starring status in the opening credits.
Eight out of 10.
Kolchak: "The Energy Eater"
Wuchakk20 April 2018
PLOT: When a series of deadly mishaps occur at a newly opened hospital along the lakefront in Chicago, Kolchak traces them to a territorial spirit, which Native Americans called Matchemonedo, a "bear God." A stud-ly shaman-turned-entrepreneur (William Smith) and a nurse (Elaine Giftos) aid Carl.
COMMENTARY: The strong point of this episode is Kolchak's finally teaming-up, to a point, with two others to tackle the monster-of-the-week: Jim Elkhorn (Smith) and Nurse Janis Eisen (Giftos). Both are quality characters and you can sense their camaraderie. But you only get a quality glimpse of this and it's too bad the creators didn't milk the teaming for its full potential. Elkhorn beams with charisma while you know Nurse Janis is sultry underneath her professional aura.
COMMENTARY: The strong point of this episode is Kolchak's finally teaming-up, to a point, with two others to tackle the monster-of-the-week: Jim Elkhorn (Smith) and Nurse Janis Eisen (Giftos). Both are quality characters and you can sense their camaraderie. But you only get a quality glimpse of this and it's too bad the creators didn't milk the teaming for its full potential. Elkhorn beams with charisma while you know Nurse Janis is sultry underneath her professional aura.
Stalking A Destructive Entity
a_l_i_e_n24 July 2006
Warning: Spoilers
Patients and staff at a hospital are being killed by a malevolent force.
Kolchak is assigned to cover the opening of a newly constructed hospital. While there, he becomes much more interested in the electrocution death of a maintenance worker. Checking out the basement level where the accident occurred, the reporter encounters a mysterious current of intensely warm air and a strange humming sound accompanying a series of wall-splitting earth tremors.
Kolchak returns with an engineer to get some theories on what could have caused the phenomena he witnessed. When the humming noise re-occurs, it builds to such an intensity that a row of utility lights explodes before their eyes.
Kolchak pays a visit to a friendly nurse who shows him the results of the maintenance man's autopsy. The findings indicate that the guy died from a serge of electricity that removed all the plasma from his body.
Carl then goes to see Jim Elkhorn, a construction foreman who, during the process of building the hospital, suffered losses among his workmen. Jim, an American Indian, tells Carl that he believes his men were killed by Matchemonedo, a invisible bear god. According to Indian legend, this being occupies the ground on which the hospital was built.
After another electrocution death occurs, Carl convinces Jim to accompany him to the hospital. As Jim performs a ceremonial rite in the basement section, a sudden explosion occurs in the nearby x-ray lab. Carl and Jim gather up the exposed plates in the lab and take them back to the INS office. After piecing together all the x-rays, they see what appears to be the image of a large eye.
Carl and Jim appeal to the hospital administration to evacuate the building. While there, they witness another disturbance in the basement in which Matchemonedo destroys the Cobalt room, apparently feeding on the radioactive material within.
Carl and Jim's theory is that because the bear god occupied a spot where a glacial lake had existed, the cold water kept it in perpetual hibernation. However, when the water eventually receded, the spirit was re-awakened by the construction of the hospital. Based on their theory, the hospital board forms a plan to vanquish the entity by flushing the entire building with freezing liquid nitrogen.
When the hospital is evacuated, Kolchak sneaks back down to the basement to photograph the invisible being using infrared film. As he attempts to take a picture, the violent electrical phenomena re-surfaces from a fissure in the floor. As a cloud of liquid nitrogen sweeps over the fissure, the violent activity ceases. But when Carl tries to leave he succumbs to the freezing cold and passes out.
Carl later awakens in another hospital with Vincenzo at his bedside. He'd been discovered by workers after the freezing procedure and sustained some frost bite. Vincenzo shows him the one thing that turned out from his efforts: a picture of a single eye in the centre of a cloud of nitrogen.
Though saddled with a rotten title, "The Energy Eater" is none the less an interesting story that refreshingly breaks from the usual "Kolchak: Night Stalker" formula. The "heavy" in this episode is still paranormal in nature, but it remains almost completely invisible throughout the show, making it's presence known largely through destructive poltergeist activity. Indeed, rather than just another fanged monster feasting on necks, Matchemonedo kills it's victims using massive electrical charges to draw all the energy from their bodies. Even the climax is not your usual "K:TNS" confrontation as the malevolent spirit's destruction is ordered by bureaucratic types who, for a change, actually listen to Kolchak. Aside from giving it a blast in the face with a fire extinguisher, Carl's only purpose in the final encounter is to get a picture of Machemonedo before it's put back into hibernation.
William Smith, often cast as a villain, is very likable and charismatic as Jim Elkhorn, the construction engineer/shaman, and it's kinda' nice to see Carl with sort of a partner at his side when he confronts the "suits" about the truth behind all the recent deaths. Other notable guest stars include Robert Cornthwaite, famous for playing the crazy scientist Dr. Carrington in the 1951 classic, "The Thing From Another World", and Joyce Jillson as Jim's drop-dead beautiful neighbour would later become famous as the astrologer Nancy Reagen consulted for advice regarding her husband's presidential schedule. Robert Yuro, however, is rather weak in the role of the cop-of-the-week, Captain Webster. He looks more like a skinny tap dancer than a tough detective.
Of the special effects, a steel door being knocked down (a series specialty) is effective, and the sequences in which hospital walls fracture during the tremors are particularly well done. The one letdown is the climax in which Kolchak stands over an opening in the floor where Matchemonedo dwells. Basically, there's some sparks and smoke coming out of a big crack in the concrete before a cloud of liquid nitrogen covers it. That's about it, and it's pretty underwhelming.
The sequence with the x-rays, however, is quite engrossing as Carl and Jim painstakingly piece together all the plates like a large jigsaw puzzle culminating in the creepy image of Machemonedo's eye. This sequence may even have served as inspiration for a similar jigsaw assemblage scene in the 2006 horror movie "Pulse".
Though somewhat uneven thrill-wise, "The Energy Eater" does benefit from it's brisk pace and imaginative touches not the least of which is the rather unique concept for a monster found in Machemonedo. Also fun is the final scene that confirms something we always suspected. Awakening from his encounter with Matchemonedo, it's Vincenzo that Carl sees at his bedside. Yes, it appears there's no doubt that, despite all their bickering and disagreements, these two really are the closest each other has to a best friend.
Kolchak is assigned to cover the opening of a newly constructed hospital. While there, he becomes much more interested in the electrocution death of a maintenance worker. Checking out the basement level where the accident occurred, the reporter encounters a mysterious current of intensely warm air and a strange humming sound accompanying a series of wall-splitting earth tremors.
Kolchak returns with an engineer to get some theories on what could have caused the phenomena he witnessed. When the humming noise re-occurs, it builds to such an intensity that a row of utility lights explodes before their eyes.
Kolchak pays a visit to a friendly nurse who shows him the results of the maintenance man's autopsy. The findings indicate that the guy died from a serge of electricity that removed all the plasma from his body.
Carl then goes to see Jim Elkhorn, a construction foreman who, during the process of building the hospital, suffered losses among his workmen. Jim, an American Indian, tells Carl that he believes his men were killed by Matchemonedo, a invisible bear god. According to Indian legend, this being occupies the ground on which the hospital was built.
After another electrocution death occurs, Carl convinces Jim to accompany him to the hospital. As Jim performs a ceremonial rite in the basement section, a sudden explosion occurs in the nearby x-ray lab. Carl and Jim gather up the exposed plates in the lab and take them back to the INS office. After piecing together all the x-rays, they see what appears to be the image of a large eye.
Carl and Jim appeal to the hospital administration to evacuate the building. While there, they witness another disturbance in the basement in which Matchemonedo destroys the Cobalt room, apparently feeding on the radioactive material within.
Carl and Jim's theory is that because the bear god occupied a spot where a glacial lake had existed, the cold water kept it in perpetual hibernation. However, when the water eventually receded, the spirit was re-awakened by the construction of the hospital. Based on their theory, the hospital board forms a plan to vanquish the entity by flushing the entire building with freezing liquid nitrogen.
When the hospital is evacuated, Kolchak sneaks back down to the basement to photograph the invisible being using infrared film. As he attempts to take a picture, the violent electrical phenomena re-surfaces from a fissure in the floor. As a cloud of liquid nitrogen sweeps over the fissure, the violent activity ceases. But when Carl tries to leave he succumbs to the freezing cold and passes out.
Carl later awakens in another hospital with Vincenzo at his bedside. He'd been discovered by workers after the freezing procedure and sustained some frost bite. Vincenzo shows him the one thing that turned out from his efforts: a picture of a single eye in the centre of a cloud of nitrogen.
Though saddled with a rotten title, "The Energy Eater" is none the less an interesting story that refreshingly breaks from the usual "Kolchak: Night Stalker" formula. The "heavy" in this episode is still paranormal in nature, but it remains almost completely invisible throughout the show, making it's presence known largely through destructive poltergeist activity. Indeed, rather than just another fanged monster feasting on necks, Matchemonedo kills it's victims using massive electrical charges to draw all the energy from their bodies. Even the climax is not your usual "K:TNS" confrontation as the malevolent spirit's destruction is ordered by bureaucratic types who, for a change, actually listen to Kolchak. Aside from giving it a blast in the face with a fire extinguisher, Carl's only purpose in the final encounter is to get a picture of Machemonedo before it's put back into hibernation.
William Smith, often cast as a villain, is very likable and charismatic as Jim Elkhorn, the construction engineer/shaman, and it's kinda' nice to see Carl with sort of a partner at his side when he confronts the "suits" about the truth behind all the recent deaths. Other notable guest stars include Robert Cornthwaite, famous for playing the crazy scientist Dr. Carrington in the 1951 classic, "The Thing From Another World", and Joyce Jillson as Jim's drop-dead beautiful neighbour would later become famous as the astrologer Nancy Reagen consulted for advice regarding her husband's presidential schedule. Robert Yuro, however, is rather weak in the role of the cop-of-the-week, Captain Webster. He looks more like a skinny tap dancer than a tough detective.
Of the special effects, a steel door being knocked down (a series specialty) is effective, and the sequences in which hospital walls fracture during the tremors are particularly well done. The one letdown is the climax in which Kolchak stands over an opening in the floor where Matchemonedo dwells. Basically, there's some sparks and smoke coming out of a big crack in the concrete before a cloud of liquid nitrogen covers it. That's about it, and it's pretty underwhelming.
The sequence with the x-rays, however, is quite engrossing as Carl and Jim painstakingly piece together all the plates like a large jigsaw puzzle culminating in the creepy image of Machemonedo's eye. This sequence may even have served as inspiration for a similar jigsaw assemblage scene in the 2006 horror movie "Pulse".
Though somewhat uneven thrill-wise, "The Energy Eater" does benefit from it's brisk pace and imaginative touches not the least of which is the rather unique concept for a monster found in Machemonedo. Also fun is the final scene that confirms something we always suspected. Awakening from his encounter with Matchemonedo, it's Vincenzo that Carl sees at his bedside. Yes, it appears there's no doubt that, despite all their bickering and disagreements, these two really are the closest each other has to a best friend.
The Matchemondeo
AaronCapenBanner10 November 2014
Carl Kolchak(Darren McGavin) investigates the mysterious deaths and strange occurrences surrounding the construction and opening of a new lake-front hospital, which turn out to be the result of the awakened spirit of a Native American god named the Matchemondeo, who is angry that his roaming/resting place has been disturbed, and will stop at nothing to destroy the hospital by all means at its disposal. Only with the help of a local Indian shaman(played nicely by William Smith) can Carl defeat/placate this threat. Another far-fetched premise helped by the usual effective humor of the series, and a genuine sense of menace posed by the title entity.
Sizzling Death From Below The Earth -- Teamwork Saves The Day!
Dan1863Sickles1 May 2017
Even though I love all the original KOLCHAK episodes, this one has a special place in my heart. It's not that it's scarier than pure horror episodes like THE RIPPER or THE ZOMBIE. And it's not that the concept of the Energy Eater is more intriguing than the science fiction terrors of MR. R.I.N.G. or THEY HAVE BEEN, THEY ARE, THEY WILL BE.
What makes this episode a special favorite of mine is that for the first and last time Kolchak has a real team behind him. He has not one but two sidekicks in this episode, and both of them practically steal the episode from Carl Kolchak himself!
Jim Elkhorn was a guy who really fascinated me as a kid. Legendary stuntman Bill Smith plays him with so much muscle power and vital energy that he practically jumps off the screen. This is a guy who gets all the girls he wants, who has the world by the tail. Yet the more you watch the more you see that underneath the cocky, macho exterior this is a thoughtful Native American who still feels a lot of bitterness about the way the old ways have vanished. "Aw, listen, it didn't work for my grandfather and it's not gonna work for me!" I really wanted him to come back and help Kolchak again, or at least get the girl! And that brings me to . . .
Nurse Janis Iselin, played by Elaine Giftos. There were always pretty women around in Kolchak's world, but they were either victims or doormats. And when Kolchak interacted with them it was usually just to put them in their place. For once it's not that way at all. Nurse Iselin is drop dead gorgeous, but you see right away that she's just as brave as Kolchak and just as smart. She plays a vital role in uncovering the nature of . . . the Energy Eater.
I just wish Janis and Jim could have got together for more than some Chinese food at the end of this spectacular episode!
What makes this episode a special favorite of mine is that for the first and last time Kolchak has a real team behind him. He has not one but two sidekicks in this episode, and both of them practically steal the episode from Carl Kolchak himself!
Jim Elkhorn was a guy who really fascinated me as a kid. Legendary stuntman Bill Smith plays him with so much muscle power and vital energy that he practically jumps off the screen. This is a guy who gets all the girls he wants, who has the world by the tail. Yet the more you watch the more you see that underneath the cocky, macho exterior this is a thoughtful Native American who still feels a lot of bitterness about the way the old ways have vanished. "Aw, listen, it didn't work for my grandfather and it's not gonna work for me!" I really wanted him to come back and help Kolchak again, or at least get the girl! And that brings me to . . .
Nurse Janis Iselin, played by Elaine Giftos. There were always pretty women around in Kolchak's world, but they were either victims or doormats. And when Kolchak interacted with them it was usually just to put them in their place. For once it's not that way at all. Nurse Iselin is drop dead gorgeous, but you see right away that she's just as brave as Kolchak and just as smart. She plays a vital role in uncovering the nature of . . . the Energy Eater.
I just wish Janis and Jim could have got together for more than some Chinese food at the end of this spectacular episode!
The malignant entity from undeground!!!
elo-equipamentos16 April 2020
One of the most exotic episode so far, the nosy Kolchak will cover a newest Hospital opening, he has been there the energy powers collapsed and all basements presents strong cracks on the walls, floor and structures all around, killing a electrician, Kolchak tries out figure out how it starts, making a nimble research he finds a manager construction, an indigenous descendant Jim Elkhorn (William Smith) who explain that place was in the past a sort of sacred lake where an entity called Matchmondeo, due the hospital was over this old swamp this energy eaten feeds on powers system on basement, seems a bit bizarre, somehow it fits perfect on Night Stalker's concepts, also Kolchak often introduces himself as doctor to be able to attend all areas inside the complex, had a little aid from the nurse Janis Eisen (Elaine Griftos) at final sequence they inject liquid oxygen to attempt to chill the basement's underground, however the bold Kolchak is there to takes a picture of this strange entity, fine episode for a pattern of the show!!
Resume:
First watch: 2020 / How many: 1 / Source: DVD / Rating: 7
Resume:
First watch: 2020 / How many: 1 / Source: DVD / Rating: 7
The Energy Eater... sucks in the plot's energy but forgets to spew it out
Gislef25 July 2023
Warning: Spoilers
The episode is an odd mix of interesting and... not. William Smith as Jim Elkhorn is the show's highlight, and I'd watch a show with Elkhorn as a main character. An MBA who is also an Indian shaman and a construction site foreman. There are other good bits: Elaine Giftos as Nurse Janice has some decent bits "A well-performed autopsy is a joy forever" is a line that always cracks me up, even if she gets a very unclimactic death. The INS office humor, with Kolchak telling Vincenzo that Matchemonedo is a Cuban boxing bantamweight, and then Vincenzo pawning the same off on Updyke when he asks.
The opening bit where Kolchak arrives at the dedication and the greeters pawn him off with some pithy lines, is also good.
But the episode overall is just kinda... blehh. Matchemonedo has a great presence on the plates, but when invisible most of the time, it's must less impressive than the invisible alien(s) in "They Have Been..." It just cracks walls, sparks, and makes a crackling noise. And it's defeated by... cold. Ho hum.
The supporting cast other than Smith and Giftos are also very blehh. Robert Yuro is the least memorable of the Kolchak captains throughout the series. Michael Strong is anything but, and he and Robert Cornthwaite are horribly wasted. Even if there are hints of rivalry between their two characters that go nowhere.
Also, wild theories just get tossed out. Kolchak and Elkhorn say Matchie sucks out energy and blows it out. When did they establish that? It's like the high-steel workers that die off-screen in Kolchak's prelude. Apparently the show was already running out of budget at the mid-season: we don't see any of this. So there's a bit where Kolchak and Nurse Janice go to Elkhorn's apartment, and Janice slowly falls for Elkhorn's charms while the neighbor finally leaves in irritation with her toaster. It's humorous, but it all takes place in an apartment set.
While the hospital underground corridors look like they were later borrowed for "The Sentry".
So I'm not sure what would have improved the episode in the time allotted. Maybe play up Matchie some more (how did it kill those workers at the beginning? And show not tell), and do more with the hospital setting. And give Kolchak a bit more to do in killing Matchie than just spray a fire extinguisher. Kolchak is a guy who grabs some monster-killing weapon and then... drops or breaks it. And then thinks his way out of trouble by setting a cross on fire or lynching a POC zombie. There's none of that here.
But that's just my opinion, I could be wrong. What do you think?
The opening bit where Kolchak arrives at the dedication and the greeters pawn him off with some pithy lines, is also good.
But the episode overall is just kinda... blehh. Matchemonedo has a great presence on the plates, but when invisible most of the time, it's must less impressive than the invisible alien(s) in "They Have Been..." It just cracks walls, sparks, and makes a crackling noise. And it's defeated by... cold. Ho hum.
The supporting cast other than Smith and Giftos are also very blehh. Robert Yuro is the least memorable of the Kolchak captains throughout the series. Michael Strong is anything but, and he and Robert Cornthwaite are horribly wasted. Even if there are hints of rivalry between their two characters that go nowhere.
Also, wild theories just get tossed out. Kolchak and Elkhorn say Matchie sucks out energy and blows it out. When did they establish that? It's like the high-steel workers that die off-screen in Kolchak's prelude. Apparently the show was already running out of budget at the mid-season: we don't see any of this. So there's a bit where Kolchak and Nurse Janice go to Elkhorn's apartment, and Janice slowly falls for Elkhorn's charms while the neighbor finally leaves in irritation with her toaster. It's humorous, but it all takes place in an apartment set.
While the hospital underground corridors look like they were later borrowed for "The Sentry".
So I'm not sure what would have improved the episode in the time allotted. Maybe play up Matchie some more (how did it kill those workers at the beginning? And show not tell), and do more with the hospital setting. And give Kolchak a bit more to do in killing Matchie than just spray a fire extinguisher. Kolchak is a guy who grabs some monster-killing weapon and then... drops or breaks it. And then thinks his way out of trouble by setting a cross on fire or lynching a POC zombie. There's none of that here.
But that's just my opinion, I could be wrong. What do you think?
GREAT!
BandSAboutMovies19 July 2023
Warning: Spoilers
The new, modern Lakefront Hospital is supposed to save lives. But why don't its machines work correctly? How are there cracks in the foundation and walls already? And why have so many people died from horrifying deaths in a place of wellness?
These are the kind of questions that Carl Kolchak would like the answers to.
He gets his answers from one of the foremen who left the construction before it was finished, Jim Elkhorn (William Smith!), who explains that he and the rest of his Native American crew didn't want to anger Matchemonedo, an invisible bear spirit that Kolchak must sent back into hibernation.
Joyce Jilson (Superchick) and Elaine Giftos (Angel) also show up in the cast. Beyond being in danger, they're two conquests for Elkhorn, who seemingly is as interested in lying down with lovely women as he is with erecting buildings.
The highlight of the episode is when Karl takes two of his paper's most expensive cameras in an attempt to get a photo of the monster. Vincenzo stops him and wants to know what's happening.
Vincenzo: What do you think you're doing with two of our best cameras?
Kolchak: I'm gonna hock 'em, what do you think? You ask a stupid question, you get a stupid answer.
As Elkhorn is helping Karl do research, he translates some French. That's something Smith could really do, as he was fluent in Russian, French, German and Serbo-Croatian, languages he learned while he served as an Intelligence Specialist for the U. S. Air Force during the Korean War.
This episode was directed by Alexander Grasshoff and written by Arthur Rowe, who wrote 13 episodes of Fantasy Island and 19 episodes of The Bionic Woman as well as serving as a producer on those shows. It also has scripting by Rudolph Borchert, who wrote 5 Kolchak episodes.
While not the best episode, this does have Kolchak trying to freeze the basement floors and foundation, which is pretty amazing as he's just one man against a Native American spirit that has been murdering humans since we first showed up on this planet.
These are the kind of questions that Carl Kolchak would like the answers to.
He gets his answers from one of the foremen who left the construction before it was finished, Jim Elkhorn (William Smith!), who explains that he and the rest of his Native American crew didn't want to anger Matchemonedo, an invisible bear spirit that Kolchak must sent back into hibernation.
Joyce Jilson (Superchick) and Elaine Giftos (Angel) also show up in the cast. Beyond being in danger, they're two conquests for Elkhorn, who seemingly is as interested in lying down with lovely women as he is with erecting buildings.
The highlight of the episode is when Karl takes two of his paper's most expensive cameras in an attempt to get a photo of the monster. Vincenzo stops him and wants to know what's happening.
Vincenzo: What do you think you're doing with two of our best cameras?
Kolchak: I'm gonna hock 'em, what do you think? You ask a stupid question, you get a stupid answer.
As Elkhorn is helping Karl do research, he translates some French. That's something Smith could really do, as he was fluent in Russian, French, German and Serbo-Croatian, languages he learned while he served as an Intelligence Specialist for the U. S. Air Force during the Korean War.
This episode was directed by Alexander Grasshoff and written by Arthur Rowe, who wrote 13 episodes of Fantasy Island and 19 episodes of The Bionic Woman as well as serving as a producer on those shows. It also has scripting by Rudolph Borchert, who wrote 5 Kolchak episodes.
While not the best episode, this does have Kolchak trying to freeze the basement floors and foundation, which is pretty amazing as he's just one man against a Native American spirit that has been murdering humans since we first showed up on this planet.
One of the weaker ones
Delrvich11 July 2020
Weakest of the Series
tjunderwood30 June 2008
I finally had the chance to see the "The Energy Eater" on Chiller, one of only a handful of original episodes I hadn't seen, despite the fact I'm old enough to remember the show from its original ABC run, the CBS late night run and the Sci-Fi run.
It's disappointing.
Is it just me or is the pacing S-L-O-W? It seems like they had enough material for about a 30-minute show and had to stretch it to fill the hour.
I'll agree with other observations about how episodes like Chopper and The Sentry suffer from poor effects and/or execution (excuse the pun), but at least the stories move along.
Anybody else feel the same?
It's disappointing.
Is it just me or is the pacing S-L-O-W? It seems like they had enough material for about a 30-minute show and had to stretch it to fill the hour.
I'll agree with other observations about how episodes like Chopper and The Sentry suffer from poor effects and/or execution (excuse the pun), but at least the stories move along.
Anybody else feel the same?
Matchemonedo
bkoganbing15 September 2017
I really didn't get this Nightstalker episode at all. It's told by Darren McGavin in flashback when he is convalescing in the hospital.
The scene of a lot of mysterious happenings including a pair of deaths of construction workers while it was being built is another, a real state of the art place. This hospital was supposed to be Chicago's answer to the Cleveland or the Mayo Clinic. But people still keep dying there who really aren't supposed to.
It supposedly is an old Indian spirit named Matchemonedo and the place is under his burial ground. He drains protein and energy from the living and all that spanking new electrical equipment it's like having a nine year old with an unlimited charge account at a candy store.
Darren McGavin has an interesting consultant on this case, it's William Smith who was foreman of the Indians who worked the job at the heights. He's a man of many gifts. He deserved a television series of his own.
Smith was wasted on this story. It's too loosely constructed and I was never sure exactly how this creature operated.
Far from the best of this series.
The scene of a lot of mysterious happenings including a pair of deaths of construction workers while it was being built is another, a real state of the art place. This hospital was supposed to be Chicago's answer to the Cleveland or the Mayo Clinic. But people still keep dying there who really aren't supposed to.
It supposedly is an old Indian spirit named Matchemonedo and the place is under his burial ground. He drains protein and energy from the living and all that spanking new electrical equipment it's like having a nine year old with an unlimited charge account at a candy store.
Darren McGavin has an interesting consultant on this case, it's William Smith who was foreman of the Indians who worked the job at the heights. He's a man of many gifts. He deserved a television series of his own.
Smith was wasted on this story. It's too loosely constructed and I was never sure exactly how this creature operated.
Far from the best of this series.
This episode is poorly done
djhorchak9 June 2022
I love this series. Bur this episode clearly misses the mark. No investigation just everyone just telling everything at the first question. Noone but the cops and head doctors even question the existence of an energy monster. The shaman is a modern day womanizer who switches from refusing to say anything to telling everything. Ignores his date so he can tell kolchak the story despite wanting to kick him out and let's his date just leave. None of this has the in depth analysis that the other episodes do.
Worst hour of tv in history
kulowe4 April 2021
Absolutely abysmal entry into a decent series. Cracks in walls, people getting burnt to crisp in a hospital. Where are the families? No one but kolchak seems to do anything. Then kolchak gets tossed out.of assorted areas. Nothing works in this episode.
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