by Jordan Kirian

To inaugurate this blog, I decided to go with an old faithful fan favorite (me being the fan), Kolchak the Night Stalker. This made for tv movie shares the name of the TV show that influenced many people ranging from me to Chris Carter (creator of the X-Files, but I probably don’t have to tell you that). Unfortunately, the series that it spawned only lasted one season, but you know what I say about that?

The story follows reporter Carl Kolchak, played by Darren McGavin (perhaps best known for playing the father in A Christmas Story), as he stalks in the night (had to) a killer that he believes is a vampire. Based on a then-unpublished novel by Jeff Rice, Kolchak the intrepid reporter with his trademark hat and suit, goes to any and all lengths in order to track down his story (which no one believes, of course).

The first thing I’d like to note about this movie is, as I mentioned above, Darren McGavin himself. I have seen both made for tv movies (this, and the Night Strangler), and the tv show, and let me tell you, I can’t see anyone else playing this character. (Of course there was a reboot in the early 2000s after the success of the X-Files, but it didn’t last any longer that the original). McGavin brings this character to life better than anyone could. And when Hollywood dares to dig this property up again and try once more, I’ll laugh as their casting falls short!

The thing that surprises me every time I watch this movie is that the screenplay was written by Richard Matheson (I Am Legend). Matheson is, to put it lightly, a solid sci-fi and/or horror writer, and it shows in this script. His words, brought to life by Darren McGavin’s acting is, as the kid’s say, chef’s kiss.

This movie is a mix of horror and supernatural, which is the kind of thing I dig very much. So it’s not hard to see why I like this movie so much, even if I think vampires are overrated. Of course, this movie was from when vampires were still cool (well, that’s just my opinion of course, but it’s right!) It’s got a nice mix of tension and humor. And, ironically, a good sense of humor is the tension between Kolchak and his editor Tony Vincenzo, played by Simon Oakland (talk about chemistry!)

This is the kind of movie that you have to check out it you’re into horror, supernatural, or having a good time. Perfect for fans of the X-Files (in fact, Gavin played the father of the X-Files Arthur Dales in the show!)

Good acting, good writing, a vampire, and a cool hat/suit combo? What’s not to like about this movie? To me, it goes harder than a tv movie usually does, and that’s why people still talk about it to this day (OK, well, my friends do, anyway). This is a fun movie that led to a fun series that lives on in cult memory. If you aren’t one to fear what stalks the night, check this movie out, it’s free on YouTube!

These blogs will hopefully be longer in the future, but I wanted to start you off with something easy, and something I love. Now we’re friends. Also, I just remembered I have the now published novel…I better go read it now!