It's been over 30 years since I last saw Kolchak the Nightstalker. Memories of the series have stayed with me since I watched it with my dad as a child. The shows were terrifying and I loved them. Although I have forgotten most of the episodes, I could still vividly remember the headless motorcycle man and the Cajun swamp monster chasing Kolchak through the Chicago sewer system. I knew that re-watching the series would bring back great memories, but was also ready to accept the fact that a 30-year old series cannot compare to the technology-driven television of today. I was right on both counts. After viewing this collection I can honestly say the series is still extremely entertaining, but the monsters made me laugh more than they scared me.
The release on DVD of the original series is most likely an attempt to capitalize on the "reimagining" of The Night Stalker. A new version of the series is now showing at 9 pm/EST on ABC and stars Stuart Townsend as Kolchak.
The new show is getting good reviews, but the original Kolchak: The Night Stalker was also fingered as an influence by Chris Carter who is the creator of the most successful science fiction series in television history, The X Files.
This new DVD set includes all 20 episodes from the original series, which ran from September 13, 1974 until August 30, 1975. They appear in order and uncut over 3 doubled-sided DVDs for a whopping 17+ hours of entertainment. It follows newspaper man Carl Kolchak as he sticks his nose into police investigations that always happen to feature supernatural elements. In fact, Kolchak The Nightstalker could have been named "Monster of the Week". As a young boy these monsters were something you looked forward to with baited breath. The make-up is poor by today’s standards, but to a young mind these creatures were absolutely terrifying.
Darren Mcgavin does an excellent job with the Kolchak character who is far from the brave leading man you see in most TV series' today. Kolchak is a talented con-man who relies on fast talk to get the information he needs or to avoid danger. He has no qualms about lying to get his story and is more in the mold of a black & white era detective than one from the 1970s. Mcgavin is also known for his role as Murphy Brown's father in the series "Murphy Brown" and for his appearances as Agent Arthur Dales on the X Files.
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Article comments
1 - Chris Beaumont
I've only seen The Night Stalker and The Night Strangler, and enjoyed them both.
And Can't forget Mcgavin as the father in A Christmas Story!
2 - Phillip Winn
I think I understand the character of Arthur Dales a lot better now! I'm going to check Kolchak out. Thanks!
3 - Robert
Phillip, let me know what you think, if you get to see some Kolchak.
4 - uao
Oh, man. I too, used to watch The Night Stalker first-run (I was 9 years old), and it creeped me out big-time. I remember it was only on for a season, and almost nobody watched it, but those who did have long-lasting memories, not of the episodes themselves (which I've almost completely forgotten), but of the chills they felt watching them.
McGavin was great in the role, too.
I haven't seen 'em in 30 years either, but I've often wished they'd turn up somewhere (I have never had cable TV in my life, so I've missed it if it showed on cable).
Glad to hear about the DVD. I'm not a big DVD consumer, but this goes to the top of my list.
5 - Robert
>And Can't forget Mcgavin as the father in A Christmas Story!
Wow! yea! Holy shit, it never even dawned on me. He was absolutely brilliant in A Christmas Story!
uao, we have a lot in common man. It's scary.
6 - wallybangs
The series was good, but it never topped the original 2 hour movie where Kolchak meets that vampire out in Las Vegas. I was around 7 when that aired and my father let me watch it. I've never been as scared since.
7 - Wangdangler
Poor quality dvd set. Discs one and two kept locking up or "freezing". Tried to return but was told no because the dvd set had been opened. Thanks for nothing Wal Mart and UNIVERSAL STUDIOS.