Allison Davies
The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.
Geraldine
The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.
Scarlet
The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.
Lechuguilla
Narrated by eager-beaver newspaper reporter Carl Kolchak (Darren McGavin), "The Night Stalker" is Kolchak's account of his involvement in the murder cases of multiple young women in Las Vegas. His narration style is that of a diary of major events, even citing the date and time of day. The script consists of a talky first half wherein a lot of the scenes take place in meetings and one-on-one chat between Kolchak and his co-workers. Action picks up in the second half after the villain has been identified.There are several major problems here. First, Kolchak is not an especially likable guy. He's arrogant, cocky, egocentric, superior, and dominates discussions. Second, the ghoulish theme I found boring. I would have much preferred a standard whodunit with multiple suspects. The film does contain suspense, especially in the second half, but by that time the viewer already knows who the killer is.In addition, the script makes use of the old standby cliché whereby the lone hero solves the case and in the process makes the paid cops look inept. Also, there's no real point to the "Gail Foster" character (Carol Lynley), though Lynley does a nice job in the role.Production design, color cinematography, and editing are acceptable if a bit uninspiring. But that's to be expected, I suppose, given that this is a TV movie. Background music is jazzy in a 1960s sort of way, except for appropriately creepy sounds during the fairly suspenseful second half. Casting is fair. Actors Oakland, Meeker, Smith, and Akins have a similar look and tend to blend into a single character. Overall acting is average."The Night Stalker" (1972) is a cinematic vehicle for Darren McGavin. The film will appeal more to horror fans than fans of whodunit murder mysteries. Since an explanation by logic is not possible in a supernatural theme story, I just could not relate to it. Though by no means a bad movie, I find nothing special about it.
bayardhiler
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.
nomoons11
I hadn't given this one a try before so I decided to pop it in and take a look. By the end I couldn't believe I let this one slip by. This could easily be one of the best TV Movies ever made.This one has one tight little story that will creep you out from start to finish. Even for an early 70's TV Movie, this one is extremely effective with story telling and atmosphere. By the end I knew the ending but I was so blown away the quality of the production and story, it didn't matter.It's a darn shame TV Movies with this kind of story telling doesn't exist anymore. Of course it didn't hurt that Richard Matheson wrote this one so if your a fan of his, jump on board this little gem and hold on. Great script, great acting and supreme atmosphere make this TV movie a winner all the way.
ShadeGrenade
'The Night Stalker' is a 1972 T.V. movie based on Jeff Rice's ( then ) unpublished novel. When shown originally in America, it garnered the highest ratings of the season, inspiring not only a sequel - 'The Night Strangler' - but also a series which Chris Carter later acknowledged as the major inspiration for 'The X-Files'. I myself saw it late one Saturday night on I.T.V. - possibly around 1975 - and it struck me as unusually scary for a television product. On the school bus on Monday morning, it was the main topic of conversation.Set in present-day Las Vegas, the police are baffled by a series of horrific murders. In each case, the victim is young, female, and completely drained of blood. Human saliva is found in their veins. Carl Kolchak ( Darren McGavin ), an eccentric news reporter, tries to get at the truth, but is thwarted at all turns by the authorities, who are trying to cover up the presence of a vampire in the town. When said vampire - Janos Scorzeny ( Barry Atwater ) - is caught trying to steal blood supplies from a hospital, the police close in. Kolchak witnesses at first hand the killer effortlessly swatting the men away like flies. It seems he is also gifted with superhuman strength...Intelligently written by Richard Matheson, 'The Night Stalker' combines horror and humour to great effect. In his book 'Danse Macabre', Stephen King is rude about Rice's novel, but in fact it is as good as many of his works. Las Vegas, a city that never sleeps, is a perfect place for a latter-day vampire. No cobwebbed castles or horse-driven carriages for Janos. He stalks the casinos and even drives a car! The cast, particularly McGavin and Simon Oakland as his bad-tempered editor 'Tony Vicenzo' - are fantastic. But Atwater is the one you will remember. He does not say a word, but conveys menace with his eyes. I had a heck of a job getting off to sleep after originally seeing this! Also around are Ralph Meeker ( 'Bernie Jenks' ), Claude Akins ( 'Sheriff Butcher' ), Kent Smith ( 'D.A. Tom Paine' ), and Elisha Cook Jr. ( 'Mickey Crawford' ) all of whom provide first-rate support.The cherry on the cake is the twist ending. Having dispatched 'Scorzeny' with the customary stake through the heart, Kolchak then finds himself arrested for murder! With no solid proof that the vampire existed, the reporter is ordered to leave town forever. Even his girlfriend, Gail Foster ( the lovely Carol Lynley ), is kicked out too! There's ingratitude for you! Though the spin-off series is available on D.V.D. in the U.K., neither this nor 'Night Strangler' is, and that's strange. Vampires now tend to be thought of as children's literature fodder. Watch this and you will see them from an era in which they were frightening! Directed with great style by Britisher John Llewellyn Moxey.
