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The Night Stalker

  • TV Movie
  • 1972
  • Not Rated
  • 1h 14m
IMDb RATING
7.5/10
6.7K
YOUR RATING
Darren McGavin in The Night Stalker (1972)
HorrorMystery

An abrasive Las Vegas newspaper reporter investigates a series of murders committed by a vampire.An abrasive Las Vegas newspaper reporter investigates a series of murders committed by a vampire.An abrasive Las Vegas newspaper reporter investigates a series of murders committed by a vampire.

  • Director
    • John Llewellyn Moxey
  • Writers
    • Richard Matheson
    • Jeffrey Grant Rice
    • Max Hodge
  • Stars
    • Darren McGavin
    • Carol Lynley
    • Simon Oakland
  • See production, box office & company info
    • IMDb RATING
    7.5/10
    6.7K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • John Llewellyn Moxey
    • Writers
      • Richard Matheson
      • Jeffrey Grant Rice
      • Max Hodge
    • Stars
      • Darren McGavin
      • Carol Lynley
      • Simon Oakland
    • 92User reviews
    • 48Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 wins & 1 nomination

    Photos58

    Darren McGavin in The Night Stalker (1972)
    Darren McGavin in The Night Stalker (1972)
    Darren McGavin in The Night Stalker (1972)
    Elisha Cook Jr. in The Night Stalker (1972)
    Elisha Cook Jr. in The Night Stalker (1972)
    Stanley Adams in The Night Stalker (1972)
    Stanley Adams in The Night Stalker (1972)
    Irene Cagen in The Night Stalker (1972)
    Irene Cagen in The Night Stalker (1972)
    Darren McGavin and Peggy Rea in The Night Stalker (1972)
    Virginia Gregg in The Night Stalker (1972)
    Barry Atwater in The Night Stalker (1972)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Darren McGavin
    Darren McGavin
    • Carl Kolchak
    Carol Lynley
    Carol Lynley
    • Gail Foster
    Simon Oakland
    Simon Oakland
    • Tony Vincenzo
    Ralph Meeker
    Ralph Meeker
    • Bernie Jenks
    Claude Akins
    Claude Akins
    • Sheriff Butcher
    Charles McGraw
    Charles McGraw
    • Chief Masterson
    Kent Smith
    Kent Smith
    • D.A. Paine
    Elisha Cook Jr.
    Elisha Cook Jr.
    • Mickey Crawford
    Stanley Adams
    Stanley Adams
    • Fred Hurley
    Larry Linville
    Larry Linville
    • Makurji
    Jordan Rhodes
    Jordan Rhodes
    • Dr. O'Brien
    Barry Atwater
    Barry Atwater
    • Janos Skorzeny
    Don Ames
    • Reporter
    • (uncredited)
    Irene Cagen
    • Shelley Forbes
    • (uncredited)
    Rudy Doucette
    • Reporter
    • (uncredited)
    Patty Elder
    • Cheryl Hughes
    • (uncredited)
    Edward Faulkner
    Edward Faulkner
    • Las Vegas Policeman
    • (uncredited)
    Sig Frohlich
    • Reporter
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • John Llewellyn Moxey
    • Writers
      • Richard Matheson(teleplay)
      • Jeffrey Grant Rice(story)
      • Max Hodge(uncredited)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The original script by Richard Matheson called for Carl Kolchak to be dressed in Bermuda shorts and wearing an Aloha shirt. Actor Darren McGavin said, "That doesn't sound like anyone I know," and elected to use a different wardrobe. While reading up on the character, McGavin noted that Kolchak had been fired from a New York newspaper years before, and thought, "That's it! He hasn't bought a new suit since!" So, Kolchak appeared in a circa 1950s suit.
    • Goofs
      During the fight with Skorzeny at the swimming pool, when the police finally have him pinned down on the ground, they let go of him and one of the officers tells him to "get up...slowly." None of the officers attempt to put handcuffs on him, which they would have done immediately, especially with someone suspected of multiple murders.
    • Quotes

      Carl Kolchak: This nut thinks he's a vampire!

    • Connections
      Featured in Trilogy of Terror (1975)
    • Soundtracks
      Manhattan
      Music by Richard Rodgers
      Lyrics by Lorenz Hart
      Performed by Darren McGavin

    User reviews92

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    One of the most suspenseful thrillers ever to grace the small screen!
    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?
    helpful•15
    1
    • duluoz
    • Nov 6, 1998

    FAQ6

    • What is Bernie Jenks's profession?
    • Who is Bela Lugosi?
    • How many times has Kolchak been fired from newspaper jobs?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 11, 1972 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • The Kolchak Papers
    • Filming locations
      • Las Vegas, Nevada, USA(Exterior)
    • Production companies
      • ABC Circle Films
      • Dan Curtis Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $450,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 14 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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