Rating: 
Summary: Scary When I First Saw Them..
Review: Boy, does this DVD bring back memories. I remember watching this TV show on CBS way back when and it was very spooky. This DVD contains the two "Kolchak: The Night Stalker" films, one about a vampire the other about a Jack the Ripper style killer.
I've seen them both many times and they are fun to watch but I liked the TV show episodes better. Kolchak is a funny character, Darren McGavin is GREAT in these movies and in the TV show (I still watch the re-runs on the Sci-Fi channel).
I guarantee that you will never see anything like Kolchak: The Night Stalker on TV today (the X-Files came close but it spun out of control, this show was consistantly good), its just too original.
Rating: 
Summary: Different then X-Files, but no better.
Review: These shows had only one advantage over the way/over-rated X-Files, and that is Darren Mchaven's dry humor through out the shows. These shows were not great and really not that scary, but the lead star's scarcasism was enough to make you laugh, and that was all that mattered. Not really worth the effort to put on DVD, but then again MGM really needs the cash these days....
Rating:
Summary: Kolchak is really Mulder's father!
Review: An important television film from director/producer Dan Curtis (Dark Shadows) and screenwriter Richard Matheson (The Twilight Zone among many others)and a sharp, fun horror film. The Night Stalker set a new standard when it aired in the 70's; it's story with Darren McGavin's narration and the Vegas setting contributed to it being one of the highest rated t.v. movies of the week. Adapted from Jeff Rice's (then) unpublished novel, the story is about a murdered who kills his victims and then drains their blood. Kolchak (McGavin)becomes convinced that the murderer isn't a garden variety psycho but, perhaps, a real vampire. Unfortunately, no one believes him. Films like Fright Night have used a similar premise but not in as compelling a fashion. John L. Moxey's direction is taunt and shows his roots as a veteran movie and television director. Both Darren McGain and Simon Oakland as his put upon editor give outstanding performances. Additionally, the late and under rated Barry Atwater gives substance to the shadowy role of Janos the creature that Kolchak stalks ultimately must face. Carol Lynley is fine in an underwritten role as Kolchak's girlfriend. Surprisingly, she really isn't given that much to do but, then again, this was the 70's when women in peril pretty much described the role in television programs and movies. The sequel The Night Strangler couldn't touch the first film despite reuniting the original cast and creative crew. Perhaps it's Curtis' understated direction, but The Night Strangler doesn't quite capture my interest as well as the first film. Richard Anderson plays the title "monster". Still, it is fun and, if it doesn't quite measure up, it's still an entertaining and imaginative story by Richard Matheson. The DVD doesn't boast any extras but the transfer is very nice given the age and source for the DVD. Anchor & Bay has done a great job returning hard-to-find classics to DVD and video. This is no exception. My only complaint is that there isn't a commentary from director Dan Curtis or actor Darren McGavin. McGavin's acerbic comments would be a welcome addition to this fine double feature. Now it's time to return these vintage horror classics to DVD.
Rating: 
Summary: You're one hell of a reporter, Kolchak !
Review: At last...the two expertly crafted pilot TV movies to the cult 70's series "The Night Stalker" are finally available on DVD. Darren McGavin truly brings alive the character of the crumpled, abrasive, intrusive, but above all lovable newspaperman, Carl Kolchak in these two thrilling explorations into the undead set in modern day Las Vegas & Seattle. "The Night Stalker" sees our courageous hero investigating a series of blood drained bodies amongst the glittering lights of Las Vegas. Kolchak must battle his long suffering boss, Anthony Vincenzo (wonderfully portrayed by Simon Oakland), the local law enforcement headed by Sherriff Butcher & Chief Masterson (Claude Akins & Charles McGraw) and the manipulative district attorney to prove that an actual vampire is committing these grisly murders. Tightly scripted with horror, wit and humour...this film has not dated in nearly thirty years ! "The Night Strangler" sees our unfortunate Carl, after having been run out of Las Vegas, now calling Seattle home and landing another reporters role with his old boss, Tony Vincenzo. Before long, there is another series of brutal murders and Kolchak is on the trail of a mysterious Civil War surgeon with an elixir to cheat death ! Margaret Hamilton (the Wicked Witch from the Wizard of Oz) has a delightful cameo as an intimidating professor of the occult, John Carradine is tyrannical newspaper owner Llewellyn Crossbinder...and Wally Cox portrays the resourecful newspaper record keeper assisting Kolchak with his gruesome investigations into Seattle's past ! Both these chilling films owe their nail biting script to the pen of the brilliant Richard Matheson...a true legend in the fantasy genre. There is a real chemistry in both these films that is intelligent and exhilarating entertainment...if you've never seen what inspired Chris Carter to create "The X-Files"...now's your opportunity to see Carl Kolchak on his two best cases !!
Rating:
Summary: Kolchak - TV's first Van Helsing!!
Review: By the time I lolly-gagged around and went to buy this DVD originally, it was out of print. I was frustrated, and felt stupid, because "Kolchak: The Night Stalker" was a show I watched religiously as a kid during its short run (only 20 episodes). Now, finally, the DVD featuring the original tv-movie that inspired the series -- and the film's sequel, which producers hurried into production when the first one was a monster hit (pun intended), are coming back to DVD ... with rumours of being predecessors to the series itself being released (yay!). "The Night Stalker" (1972) is the vampire story, directed beautifully by Dan "Dark Shadows" Curtis himself. Ace Chicago reporter Cark Kolchak -- who seems to draw supernatural baddies like moths to a flame -- is in Las Vegas, and drawn into a series of killings where all the victims have one peculiarity in common: they were drained of all their blood. Convinced a modern-day vampire is behind the murders, Kolchak (with the help of his sharp, sarcastic mouth) immediately alienates the authorities, the press -- even his own editor -- when he tells his tall tale, and nearly even gets himself run out of town. As usual, it's up to him to catch the bad guy himself ... and armed only with a wooden stake, a silver cross, and his usual flash camera and tape recorder, Kolchak tracks the vampire to his lair for a showdown that shows how ill-equipped Carl really is for the job! Excellent atmosphere and humor, and a top-notch supporting cast (headed by Simon Oakland as Kolchak's editor, also Carol "Poseidon Adventure" Lynley, and Claude Akins) helped to make this film the most highly-rated TV movie of all time at the time of its airing, with a 33.2 rating and a 54 share. "The Night Strangler" (1974) finds Kolchak in Seattle, where he's tracking yet another serial killer, this one hiding underground amongst the city's catacombs ... where another city, with gas-lit streetlamps and seemingly frozen in time, awaits him. The supporting cast here was no less great, with 70's star Jo Ann Pflug heading a list that reads like a who's-who of character actors: John Carradine, Margaret Hamilton, Wally Cox, and Al Lewis, to say the least! This film has less tension and more humor, is more low-key but no less entertaining, and Darren McGavin as Kolchak delivers his lines with his usual deadpan face; the films and show would never have been the same without McGavin, and indeed Chris Carter (creator of "The X-Files") credits the series and McGavin as part of his inspiration -- going so far as to cast McGavin as a recurring character on "X-Files" years later. (NOTE: The originally aired version of "The Night Strangler" deleted some footage with Al Lewis and Kolchak's co-worker Janis Watkins. There is also a deleted scene featuring George Tobias as a reporter, Jimmy Stacks, who followed the Malcolm story and who Kolchak consults. Hopefully this DVD version restores both scenes to their original glory). For those of you who remember McGavin only as the goofy father in "A Christmas Story," these films (and the series that inspired them) will be a real eye-opener -- and will hopefully generate some new fans of this show that should have been on a lot longer. Campy, funny, and with moments of real, genuine creepiness (a Dan Curtis trademark), "The Night Stalker"/"The Night Strangler" DVD double feature is a must for any horror/fantasy fans who want to see how a very unwilling, 1970's version of Van Helsing tried to thwart evil in the world, when no one would believe him that it was there. And PLEASE let this be a prelude to the DVD series release!
Rating:
Summary: Carl Kolchak finds another unbelievable mystery to solve
Review: Darren McGavin reprises his role as Carl Kolchak in this sequel to "The Night Stalker," one of the most celebrated made-for-television movies of its day. "The Night Strangler" finds our intrepid reporter challenged by his old Las Vegas editor, Tony Vincenzo (Simon Oakland), with uncovering a 120-yeard-old Jekyll and Hyde type killer in the eerie underground of Seattle, Washington. There really is a sense in how this sequel is trying too hard to top the original, which had the virtue of a simplistic elegance to its plot. This time around director Dan Curtis tries to come up with a really big ending, which is not where Kolchak was most effective. Maybe we would have been more impressed with this story if it did not have the original to contend with, but this is yet another instance of Hollywood trying to milk the golden goose dry. Still, any scene between McGavin and Oakland is worth paying attention to and the supporting cast throws Jo Ann Pflug, Wally Cox, Richard Anderson, Margaret Hamilton, John Carradine, and Al Lewis at us If you can not identify the Mr. Peepers, the Wicked Witch of the West, Dracula, and Granpa from the "Munsters" in that list, shame on you. But then it also serves as more evidence that this movie is trying a bit too hard.
Rating:
Summary: The Typewriter is Mightier than the Sword
Review: Darren McGavin reprises his role as Carl Kolchak, an annoying investigative newspaper reporter who continously stumbles into bizzare stories. This time Kolchak, exiled from his prior assignment in Las Vegas, finds himself in Seattle and on the trail of a mysterious 144 year old strangler. Similar to the first movie, the police and city officials attempt to thawrt Kolchak's investigation and pressure the newspaper to withhold his articles from publication. THE NIGHT STRANGLER includes quite a few familiar faces: Simon Oakland (Black Sheep Squadron), Jo Ann Pflug (M*A*S*H and cohost of Candid Camera), Margaret Hamilton (The wicked witch from The Wizard of Oz), Al Lewis (Grandpa from The Munsters)and John Carradine. Also look for Richard Anderson who would later go on to television fame in the television series THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN. The sets are more elaborate in this sequel and the plot is a little more complicated than the first movie. This is traditionally what happens when a sequel attempts to trump the original. THE NIGHT STRANGLER aired in early 1973 and a year later would be followed by the television series THE NIGHT STALKER. Prior to the network's dash for cash in rushing out the television series, a third Kolchak television movie was in pre-production. However, THE NIGHT KILLERS never materialized as the televison series consumed Darren McGavin and his character, Carl Kolchak. If you saw the first NIGHT STALKER movie, then you would be remiss for not viewing this one.
Rating:
Summary: Just Could Not Believe It
Review: I just could not believe that I came across this DVD.
I remember these movies (and later the series), from my childhood. I was but a young lad at the time, but I remember sneaking into the den to catch these horror/mysteries.
This DVD looks great. Extras include interviews with director and some cool inside info.
Turn the lights out and enjoy. This was accually the highest rated TV movie of all time(Night Stalker), and for good reason.
Rating:
Summary: Kolchak: The Night Stalker/The Night Strangler
Review: I recently purchased this DVD and have watched it several times. It is a good story and well done without all the "eye candy" required today to shock and frighten. I recommend this DVD. I was a loyal follower of the TV series in 1974 when it first came out and was disappointed to see it cancelled. I sincerely hope the entire season run, of about 20 episodes, I think, will be released on DVD in the not too distant future.
Rating:
Summary: Carl Kolchak- Man Outside of Time
Review: I remember that when I first saw these made-for-TV movies in the early seventies I knew that they were something special. The character of Carl Kolchak especially stuck with me. It seemed like he was a man stranded outside of his own time. I mean, everything around him was part of the "mod" seventies, but Kolchak himself seemed like an old-time reporter right out of the 30's or 40's. Sure, his hair was a little shaggy, but you got the impression that this was because he didn't have the time or money to get a haircut- and not because he was being "fashionable." Perhaps that was the reason that he could spot creatures who also didn't belong in the modern world- because he was a misfit there himself.
In any case, these two movies are some of the best pure story telling ever put on film. The make-up, sets, and special effects aren't bad, but writing and acting carries the day. People by the early seventies considered themselves so "sophisticated" that they pretty much all considered traditional horror movies to be a joke. The Night Stalker made them believe again that vampires could really exist- and in Vegas, the most modern and sophisticated of all settings. And if anything, The Night Strangler, was even more skillfully and believably woven with its tale of immortality elixirs and of a necropolis beneath the streets of modern Seattle.
The interviews with producer/director Dan Curtis (Dark Shadows) are entertaining and informative. For instance, before I watched them I had no idea that the great Richard Matheson (I am Legend and Hell House) had written both of these scripts.
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