It is a performances centric movie

Good concept, poorly executed.

The film makes a home in your brain and the only cure is to see it again.

Funny, strange, confrontational and subversive, this is one of the most interesting experiences you'll have at the cinema this year.

RELEASED TO TV IN EARLY 1972 and directed by John Llewellyn Moxey, "The Night Stalker" chronicles events in Las Vegas when the bodies of several young women are found drained of blood. Intrepid reporter Carl Kolchak (Darren McGavin) increasingly suspects that something supernatural is at foot, which his bellowing boss finds incredulous (Simon Oakland), as well as city authorities (Ralph Meeker, Claude Akins & Kent Smith). Elisha Cook Jr is on hand as an informant while Barry Atwater plays Janos Skorzeny. "The Night Stalker" was a hugely successful TV movie, which naturally led to a sequel, "The Night Strangler" (1973), and a series that ran for one season from 1974-1975 (20 episodes), not to mention numerous Kolchak books. This original movie was the best of the batch with "The Night Strangler" almost as good and even better in some ways. Both movies established the template (formula) for all that followed. What makes this movie "the best of the batch"? Answer: The streamlined story is full of intrigue, action, ravishing women, horror and suspense; and the jazzy score doesn't hurt. As far as the women go, lovely Carol Lynley is on hand as Kolchak's babe, but not enough is done with her. Nevertheless, there are 3-4 peripheral beauties. The sequel flick and the first episode "The Ripper" followed this pilot's lead in the female department, along with "The Werewolf," but the rest of the series was rather weak on this front. Since this is a TV flick from the early 70s don't expect a much gore. THE MOVIE RUNS 1 hour 14 minutes and was shot in Las Vegas with studio work done at Universal Studios & Samuel Goldwyn Studios, CA. WRITER: Richard Matheson (teleplay) & Jeffrey Grant Rice (story).GRADE: A-

Only in the glory days of television could you have a guy like Carl Kolchak-a middle aged reporter who's worn the same style of clothing for twenty plus years-be the main character and hero of a prime time event. Produced by legendary TV producer Dan Curtis and written by the equally talented Richard Matheson, "The Night Stalker" introduces us to that old school newspaper reporter Carl Kolchak, played by the late great Darren McGavin from "A Christmas Story", in what has to be one of his best and most iconic roles.Our story begins in the dazzling streets of Sin City, where a young woman is stalked and murdered by a creature of the night. Of course, the cops do everything in their power to try to cover up this fact but a certain dogged reporter just won't leave it alone (take a good guess who) much to their and Kolchaks's ever tortured boss ,Mr. Vincenzo's (Simon Oakland in his most memorable role) dismay. But as the bodies pile up, it soon becomes apparent to even the authorities, that only Kolchak has the answers to save the day. "Stalker" is a total blast to watch for several reasons but above all, Darren McGavin, who through his use of tape recordings, provides the audience with a straight forward and at times comical narration of events. Director John Llewellyn Moxey must also be praised for creating a spooky atmosphere for the film as well. And of course what vampire film would be complete without an effective Nosferatu and boy do we get it in the form of Barry Atwater, who may not say a whole lot, but manages to be quite memorable, I assure you! But there's something else I feel the film has and that is a grain of truth. Now I'm not saying that I believe in vampires; however in real life, when something strange is reported, something that defy's all natural logic, the authorities in charge-be they police, government, military,etc.-will never admit to the fact that they can't explain it. Rather, they will do everything in their power to down play the strange nature of the event by playing with words and burying the case as fast as they can (a fact that Kolchak learns the hard way). To sum it up, if you're in the mood for a fun filled, spooky movie, you can't go wrong with "The Night Stalker". Catch it on you tube sometime! Also starring Ralph Meeker, Claude Akins, Charles McGraw, and Carol Lynley.

I somehow seem to have missed The night Stalker when it first aired way back in 1972, very unusual for me; years later, when I did catch up to it, though, I wasn't disappointed. Janos Skowzeny(Barry Atwater) is a very frightening vampire in a mute, animal-like performance. He gives an example of what it would really be like for police to encounter supernatural terror in his easy wipe-outs of the Las Vegas law enforcement units. The sequence in the enclosed swimming pool where he's shot about fifty times remains very memorable.I agree that Kolchak's girlfriend Gail Foster(Carol Lynley) does not quite seem to fit with the reporter's crusty personality, but one never knows, of course! This seems to be only one of maybe three time overall where our hero had some help against the creature, this time in form of his friend FBI agent Bernie Jenks(Ralph Meeker) who certainly saved Kolchak from the vampire in the climatic final battle. I haven't looked at all of the reviews here, but the "living blood bank" Skorzeny makes of one of his victims is one of the most hideous aspects of the movie.Some others have mentioned Mark Dawdizak; his original book on the series/films, "Nightstalking;A Twentith Anniversary Companion" is well worth locating for fans - a 25th Anniversary edition was published in 1997.One 1970s-era book which I'm sure would also interest most here is by Gary Gerani, "Fantastic Television," 1977, Bounty Books(I think), which has a section on TNS, + episode guides to Outer Limits, One Step Beyond, Twilight Zone, etc. Books like this, and magazines like Starlog were about it for we fans of that now-distant "prehistoric" time before the internet.Seeveral have commented on the mid-200's remake of TNS; I must say I didn't watch any of the aired episodes as it seemed to deviate so much from the original concept. From all I have heard, it was more like The X-Files than TNS, although I may certainly be somewhat unfair in my judgment of it. This later version does not seem to be highly-thought of from most comments, however.

This film is timeless. By timeless, I mean the story could not have been told any better. Of course the clothing and the cars, as well as the score seems dated, but so are these same features in Halloween, The Exorcist and a host of other classic horror films. Jeff Rice's idea of putting a vampire in a night-life city like Las Vegas was pure genius. The film itself is paced very well and we are completely absorbed within the atmosphere. The character of Kolchak, the reporter who figures out and tries to convince us all that this is a real vampire, is flawlessly portrayed by the always great Darren McGavin. I could go on about the movie, but it would become overkill since all of the other posters have hit it on the head. Do yourself a favor and BUY this film for your collection. If you are old enough to remember this movie as a pilot and then recall the series, you will have a blast watching it again. Great memories!