Ranking the Episodes

My Top 13 (a good number for a scary show)

#1

#2

#3

#4

#5

#6

#7

#8

#9

#10

#11

#12

#13

#14. The Devil's Platform B
#15. The Sentry B-
#16. Demon in Lace B-
#17. The Vampire C+
#18. The Energy Eater C+
#19. Primal Scream C+
#20. Legacy of Terror C
#21. They Have Been, They Are, They Will Be... C
#22. The Youth Killer C-

The Sentry

Air Date: 3/28/75
Writer: L. Ford Neale, John Huff
Director: Seymour Robbie
Actors: 
Frank Campanella as Ted Chapman / John Hoyt as Dr. Beckwith / Kathie Browne as Lt. Irene Lumont / Tom Bosley as Jack Flaherty / Albert Paulsen as Dr. James Verhyden / Margaret Avery as Ruth Van Galen / Lew Brown as First Detective / Bill Deiz as Second Reporter / George Finley as Dr. Phillips / Frank Marth as Colonel Brody / Tom Moses as Dr. Gordon / Cliff Norton as Arnie Wisemore / Keith Walker as First Reporter / Kelly Wilder as Receptionist / Paul Baxley as Lawrence Earl Coogan / Craig R. Baxley as the Creature / Andrew Robinson as Shipping Clerk / Uncredited actor as Howard Kipler

Memorable Line:
Vincezo: "Carl, Carl! I don't want to hear anymore about that giant newt!"

Story:
The government attempts to hide a series of mysterious deaths at an underground storage facility

Review:
Kolchak ends with a straightforward creature feature that acts as an ode to Sci-Fi’s past (The story recalls a few from the original Star Trek) as well as a nod to its future (The Government conspiracies of the X-Files). While there’s humor, it focuses more on the terror and cover-up.

Yes, it’s a flawed production, with a thin story that is padded out with unedited shots of people walking to their destinations or riding carts through halls. The cinematography is grainy. The lizard suit - which looks like a sports team mascot with its laughably oversized head-  was wisely kept in the dark for the most part. They do try and get clever with that by making the creature photophobic, and there are a couple of goosebump-inducing scenes where it destroys the lights as it draws closer to its prey.

Performances are at times out-and-out hammy, the comedic delivery exaggerated, silly. Some speculate that the unhappy McGavin came off rather bored. I don't see it. Oh, he might have been sick of it all but he was also enough of a pro that he puts in an effort and manages some good reaction shots, especially in dealing with the cop of the week.

Speaking of which… I appreciate the fact that in the past few shows the writers have moved beyond the screaming Captains and explored a few new personality types. To this end, we have Lt. Irene Lamont, played by Kathie Browne, the real-life wife of Mr. McGavin. She's got everyone wrapped around her finger, but Kolchak doesn't buy it, and it's amusing watching him roll his eyes as his fellow newshounds fawn all over her. (Oh, and I love the name she gives Carl's car).

Sentry is not a critical darling, and I agree it's far from perfect. But it does have its B-movie style charms and has become a bit of a guilty pleasure among certain fans. And I number myself among them. I enjoy this in the same way I enjoy the Giant Claw or Corman’s Attack of the Crab Monsters. It’s a cheesy good time, with some nice claustrophobic elements and a good opening scene... with the camera following an unnerved Kolchak who announces, "It's after me"

Grade: B-

The Youth Killer

Air Date: 3/14/75
Writer: Rudolph Borchert
Director: Don McDougall
Actors: 
Cathy Lee Crosby as Helen of Troy / Dwayne Hickman Sergeant J. Orkin / George Savalas as Kaz Kazantarkis / Kathleen Freeman as Bella Sarkof / Eddie Firestone as Obnoxious Conventioneer / James Murtaugh as Landlord / Michael Richardson as Lance Mervin (aka Irvin) / Penny Stanton as Lance's Mother / James Ingersoll as First Young Man / Reb Brown as Second Young Man / John Fiedler as Gordy "The Ghoul" Spangler / Joss White as Secretary / Unknown, uncredited actors as William Cubby, Cynthia Tibbs and Rene Michelle.

Memorable Line:
Kolchak: "I love flukes! I've written some of my best stories about flukes"

Story:
Young, dating service patrons begin dying of old age.

Review:
Carl takes on Greek Gods and meets up with Helen of Troy in this weakish satire on our youth and beauty-geared culture.

The scenes that highlight the rapid aging of the vibrant victims, is effective and chilling. But overall the story lacks punch. Probably because the villain played by Cathy Lee Crosby, doesn't have a commanding or threatening presence. She has some impressive backing from up on high, but Helen herself is a whispery shell (and seriously, she couldn't tell one of her sacrifices had a glass eye?)

Good casting otherwise: Dewayne Hicks (Dobie Gillis) plays a fresh new Captain who quickly learns why everyone gets so annoyed with Carl (Then again, why not check the prints, wouldn't hurt?). George Savalas (Credited as Demothenes) is the cabby who schools Carl on Greek myths, and there was Reb Brown (Captain America, MST3Ks "Space Mutiny") in an early, small role.

On the comedic side of it, big laughs came from Vincenzo and Kolchak, both inadvertently offending Miss Emily.

I don’t hate anything from this show. There’s always something to enjoy even in a lesser episode, even in this lesser episode... like the cool idea of the rings marking those who are doomed -- and that Carl puts on one and can't get it off. Though I wonder if the Gods were angry about the glass eye screw up, or that Helen was going to offer them a 'not so perfect' physical specimen named Carl Kolchak.

Grade: C-

The Knightly Murders

Air Date: 3/7/75
Writer: David Chase, Michael Kozoll
Director: Vincent McEveety
Story: Paul Magistretti
Actors: 
John Dehner as Captain Vernon Rausch / Hans Conried as Mendel Boggs / Shug Fisher as Pop Stenvold / Robert Emhardt as Roger, Coat of Arms dealer / Jeff Donnell as Maura / Don Carter as Lester Nash / Sidney Clute as Bruce Krause / Lieux Dressler as Minerva Musso / Jim Drum as Leo J. Ramutka / Alyscia Maxwell as Freshman Reporter / Ed McCready as First Reporter / Bryan O'Byrne Charles Johnson the Butler / William O'Connell as Brewster Hawking / Gregg Palmer as Sergeant Buxbaum / Paul Baxley as Ralf Danvers

Memorable Line:
Kolchak: "What is important is that it takes 420 pounds pressure - P.S.I. - to crush a telephone. Now, it says right here that a medieval knight in full armor and full weaponry weighs well over 400 pounds!"

Vincenzo: "Oh I feel much better, all my life I wanted to know that a Medieval Knight could crush a telephone."

Story:
A Black Knight kills to prevent the building of a disco on his death site.

Review:
As goofy as the premise sounds, this episode actually has lots of thrills. And as goofy as the premise would suggest. It's a laugh riot. Arguably the funniest episode in the series.

Comedic guests include John Dehner, as the legendary Captain Rausch, who not only is a phony living on past glories but has lost a bit of his mind. This is the best Captain/Kolchak interplay since Keenan Wynn's part in "Spanish Moss". And what's good about it is that it doesn't follow the usual pattern of 'full out shouting match'. Another inspired turn was casting Hans Conried. He too shares some colorful moments with Carl. In addition, there's Shug Fisher (From the B movie "Giant Gila Monster") as Pops. His cameo, as a store owner who wants Carl to write his memoirs in exchange for information, was a kick.

The scenes between Vincenzo and Kolchak are chock full o' their classic banter. Poor Tony, he thinks Carl has really gone off the deep end - and his expressed concern is a nice layer of character development that's well-acted by Oakland

As hinted at earlier, in the fright department the Knight is an effective and impressive foe. Looming large and frighteningly relentless, the best scene comes when it takes battle-ax in hand and crashes through several doors to reach its prey. Pushing Carl (who was bravely trying to save a victim) aside like a rag doll

If there is a frustrating aspect to the story, it's that the cops cast aside Carl's idea that a Knight, or some nut dressed as a Knight, is doing this. Even if they can't buy the supernatural aspects (and in a wonderful moment with Vincenzo, Tony tries to reason this out with his reporter) they can clearly see that medieval weaponry is being used. The door was obviously shredded by a very sharp, heavy object.

Though the end battle is too short, it was cool watching Carl struggling to wield the enormous, blessed ax (which is the only thing to have ever defeated his armored foe). It puts into perspective just how strong this Knight is.

Grade: A

Legacy of Terror

Air Date: 2/14/75
Writer: Arthur Rowe
Director: Don McDougall
Actors: 
Erik Estrada as Pepe Torres / Mickey Gilbert as Nanautzin, the Mummy / Ramon Bieri as Captain Webster / Sorrell Booke as Mr. Eddy / Alma Beltran as Mrs. Torres / Victor Campos as Professor Jamie Rodriguez / Robert Casper as Professor Jones / Sondra Currie as Vicky / Scott Douglas as Major Taylor / Pitt Herbert as Medical Examiner / Gene LeBell as Officer Olson / Ernest Macias as Andrew Gomez / Udana Power as Captain Madge Timmins / Carlos Romero as George Andrews / Merrie Lynn Ross as Nina / Pippa Scott as Tillie Mones / Ron Stein as Officer Smith / Dorrie Thomson as Lona / Mina Vasquez as Rita Torres / Craig R. Baxley as Rolf Anderson / Robert Clarke as Detective in Stairwell / Cal Bartlett as Officer Lyons

Memorable Line:
Paramedic: "You look like you got a concussion, I think we're gonna need some X-Rays on that"
Kolchak: "Nooo X-rays, Nooo pictures; I got things in there I don't want seen..."

Story:
An Aztec cult makes sacrifices to its God, in preparation for the next millennium.

Review:
Not a complete train wreck but kind of flat. It didn't really get under my skin. And some of the attacks by the Aztec cult were silly, (in one early assault, the chicken creature moves back and forth like a character from a Dr. Tongue movie)

On the plus side of the ledger, Carl's investigative skills are at their peak, the legends he susses out are complex and different. Giving an interesting twist to the Mummy stories.

The humorous scenes are a gas as well. Vincenzo busting up Carl's bellboy cover was very funny, and Kolchak’s recorder gradually creeping into a scene put tears in my eyes.

Despite these pluses, which would indicate the telling of a compelling, fun story, the sum total is lackluster. Whether it's because the co-stars don't bring much life to the party (Estrada's okay but not dynamic) or the complexities of the legend actually bog things down (too much thinking, not enough scares?). Whatever the reasons, there's at least enough to give it a passing grade, not enough to elevate it to the upper echelon.

Grade: C

Demon In Lace

Air Date: 2/7/75
Writer: Michael Kozoll, Stephen Lord, David Chase
Director: Don Weis
Story: Stephen Lord
Actors: 
Andrew Prine as Prof. C. Evan Spate / Jackie Vernon as Coach Toomey / Carolyn Jones as The Registrar / Keenan Wynn as Captain Joe "Mad Dog" Siska / Kristina Holland as Rosalind Winters / John Elerick as Mark Hansen / Maria Grimm as Maria Venegas / Margaret Impert as Betty Walker / Donald Mantooth as Tim Brennan / Ben Masters as Mike Thompson / Carlos Molina as Landlord / Milton Parson as Dr. Salem Mozart / Davis Roberts as Coroner / Steve Stafford as Craig Donnelly / Hunter Von Leer as Don Rhiner / Carmen Zapata as Spanish Woman / Teddie Blue as the Succubus / Iris Edwards as Marlene Franks

Memorable Line:
Vincenzo: "How is this 'Prince of Fiends' gonna fit into my new directive?" - Said after announcing that he wants up-lifting news.

Story:
A Succubus uses the bodies of recently deceased women, to steal the life force from young healthy men.

Review:
The idea of young men found dead, with women who had died hours before - is an intriguing setup. And it's all tied to an ancient tablet and an age-old succubus.

Regrettably, this twisted tale is bogged down by a wealth of guest stars who pop in and out far too quickly. There's a young college reporter who's eager to team up with Carl, and it seems at first that she will be an integral part of the story... but this relationship never amounts to much.

There's also Keenan Wynn's return as Siska. There again, another character who doesn't do a lot (he was so good in "Spanish Moss", that it's a major bummer when he's used only for a few annoying tantrums). The episode also brings in Andrew Prine as a snooty archaeologist... but best of all was Carolyn Jones (Addams Family) in a sparkling cameo as a registrar. Her comedic timing and playful banter with McGavin was so cute, that I wish the writers would have dumped a few of the other characters and made her Kolchaks main co-star in this caper.

Amid all this clutter are some great scenes in the newsroom. From Vincenzo's resolve to report happy news and the revelation that he was a drummer in a band called the Neapolitan's - to Miss Emily drawing ideas for her crossword puzzle, from Kolchak's gruesome research.

Not a bad episode and it features a creepy monster, but it could have been better had they tightened up the story considerably. And that ending? Oh boy - there's a laughably stupid fight with the succubus that looked as ridiculous as the headless rider in "Chopper".

Grade:  B-

Chopper

Air Date: 1/31/75
Writers: Robert Zemeckis, Bob Gale, Steve Fisher, David Chase
Director: Bruce Kessler
Story: Bob Gale, Robert Zemeckis
Actors: 
Art Metrano as Henry "Studs" Spake / Larry Linville as Captain Jonas / Jim Backus as Herb Bresson / Sharon Farrell as Lila Morton / Jay Robinson as Professor Eli Strig / Jesse White as First Watchman / Steve Franken as Neil, the Morgue Attendant / Fern Barry as Mrs. Rita Baker / Jimmy Joyce as George, Second Watchman / Joey Aresco as Electric Larry / Steve Boyum as Headless Rider (Harold "Swordsman" Baker) / Brunetta Barnett as Nurse / Jack Bernardi as Otto / Jim Malinda as Snow White / Jimmy Murphy as Beaner / Ralph Montgomery as Claude / Frank Aletter as Norman Kahill

Memorable Line:
Jonas: "Sure some biker has taken it into his head for some reason, to avenge Bakers death - now it's weird but, and probably drugged induced... and he has a costume!"

Kolchak: "There is no costume and he certainly hasn't taken it into his head, because there is no head!"

Story:
A headless rider hunts the members of a motorcycle gang.

Review:
This was the first story Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale (Back to the Future) sold to Hollywood, and they came up with a dilly. A modern take on the Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Chopper has chills but doesn't take itself too seriously.

Humor is prevalent throughout. The exchanges between Tony & Carl are classic ("Come on, whip it on me, like the kids say") and Kolchak outsmarting the new Captain (Larry Linville) is a delight. Though I thought the scene at the viewing, with the biker gang, drug on too long.

The only real problem is in the headless rider itself. They placed a laughably big coat over the head of a stuntman. It looks silly as heck and it undercuts some of the eeriness. And there was a potential for high eeriness. The legend told by the curator about guillotine victims wandering the streets, searching for their heads; was a creepy accent.

Grade: A-

The Trevi Collection

Air Date: 1/24/75
Writer: Rudolph Borchert
Director: Don Weis
Actors: 
Lara Parker as Madelaine / Nina Foch as Madame Trevi / Bernie Kopell as Doctor / Richard Bakalyn as First Hood / Marvin Miller as the Lecturer / Priscilla Morrill as Griselda / Henry Brandon as coven leader / George Chandler as Model Agency Manager / Douglas Fowley as Superintendent / Beverly Gill as Melody Sedgwick / Peter Leeds as Photographer / Henry Slate as Second Hood / Chuck Waters as Mickey Patchek / Dennis McCarthy as the figure / Diane Quick as Ariel / Nick Borgani as man at lecture /

Memorable Line:
Kolchak: "Whata'ya mean you don't wanna to talk about it? What kind of thing is that to say to a reporter..."

Story:
Kolchak tries to discover who's the witch behind the murders in the modeling world.

Review:
I didn’t care for this one at first, but it has grown on me over the years and has become a favorite. I think some of the broad, theatrical elements are what hung me up initially, but now I rather get a kick out of that. Trevi is a fun, biting send-up on the fashion industry. And beyond that, there’s real tension and scares to be had.

For instance: Mannequins. They’re creepy just standing there - but when they start moving around, as they do here, it’s spine-tingling.  Though I admit that the effect is not as effective as what was seen in the old Twilight Zone episode, “The After Hours” (the line between who's human and who's the inanimate object is very obvious here), when enacted side by side with the satire, it’s forgivable.

However, that’s not the case for everything. The performance by Lara Parker (who played Angelique, in Dark Shadows) starts off fine. But during the witch’s coven scene she voraciously chews the scenery like it was made of chocolate. And her body spasms and maniacal laughter was embarrassing to behold. I know she’s supposed to be losing it, but zowie, she was waaay over the top.

Humor wise? The line about a "nominal fee" was priceless - and as always, the core actors are what make any episode worth watching. Simon Oakland gets in a couple of great lines and nearly blows his top in concern over Carl’s well being (There's a small subplot about gangsters threatening Kolchak, which leads to an actual exposé. Nice to know that they do break stories now and again)

Overall the pacing was tight, it was mysterious, tense -- the scene with the speeding car barreling after Carl worked because it really moved, Kolchak looked like he was in danger. Nina Foch did some nice acting, going from snooty and unlikable to sympathetic. And the ending (despite the silly Mannequin pile-on) was one of the show's better ones. Everything was wrapped up in a satisfying manner.

Of Note: It was neat to see Marvin Miller (The voice of Robbie the Robot in Forbidden Planet) and Henry Brandon (The Searches; Rocky Jones, Space Ranger) in bit parts.

Grade: A-

Primal Scream

Air Date: 1/17/75
Writer: Bill S. Ballinger, David Chase
Director: Robert Scheerer
Actors: 
John Marley as Captain Maurice Molnar / Jamie Farr as Jack Burton / Pat Harrington Jr. as Thomas J. Kitzmiller / Katherine Woodville as Dr. Helen Lynch / Barbara Luddy as Woman / Gary Baxley as Humanoid / Jeannie Bell as Rosette Mason / Al Checco as Nils / Regis Cordic as Dr. Peel / Sandra Gould as the Landlady / Vince Howard as Policeman / Byron Morrow as Dr. Cowan / Paul Picerni as Humane Society Man / Barbara Rhoades as Kitzmiller's Secretary / Chuck Waters as William Pratt / Arnold Williams as Barney / C. Lindsay Workman as Dr. Fisk / Paul Baxley as Dr. Julius Copenik / Craig R. Baxley as Robert Gurney

Memorable Line:
Kolchak: "...That wasn't just J. Fred Muggs out there dressed in a tutu a-and drooling for the public and playing on a unicycle! Th-that was some creature!"

Story:
Cells from the Antarctic, grow into ape-men who prowl the Chicago streets at night.

Review:
Primal has an interesting premise. I liked the science, the idea of an arctic cave dweller coming to life in our modern age. I also enjoyed the scenes in the newsroom. While a bit out of character, it was nice seeing Tony get charged up over the story, and fun to see him with stars in his eyes as the enormity of it all gives him hope for a better, brighter life and career. (This time Kolchak has evidence and Vincenzo's gonna fight right alongside him to see that it gets published.)

It has humor: Carl is pugnacious, biting, and sarcastic when confronted with big business spin-doctors - and hilariously clever in his attempts to uncover the truth (I loved watching him wheel himself near a Hospital room in order to eavesdrop on a top-secret meeting).

The suspenseful ending is another that involves a dark and gloomy tunnel. Carl gradually lights his way with flares, revealing something new with each toss (from ape hair to a body). When he looks back and forth trying to spot the creature, which suddenly appears out of the blue, I jumped out of my skin.

Unfortunately, the episode is also plagued by dry exposition. There are long wordy scenes that make it a bit of a slog and that’s too bad. Because while the idea is there, the character exchanges are there, and there are great scenes… they just don’t coalesce into a great episode as a whole.

Grade: C+

Mr. R.I.N.G.

Air Date: 1/10/75
Writer: L. Ford Neale, John Huff
Director: Gene Levitt
Actors: 
Bert Freed as Captain Akins / Julie Adams as Mrs. Avery Walker / Henry Beckman as Senator Duncan 'LaBeau' Stephens / Don 'Red' Barry as Tyrell Security Guard / Corinne Camacho as Dr. Leslie Dwyer / Robert Easton as Bernard Carmichael / Myron Healey as Colonel Wright / Maidie Norman as the Librarian, Miss Byrett / Bruce Powers as Peters / Craig Baxley as Mr. Ring / Vince Howard as Policeman / Read Morgan as Man / Gail Bonney as Barham

Memorable Line:
Kolchak: "Good -- Gosh!" - A flabbergasted Carl upon seeing RING crash through a door.

Story:
There's a Government coverup in the wake of a robot who fights for life and a sense of humanity.

Review:
I'm a sucker for robots, especially ones who have grown to a point where it desires for 'life'. Perhaps it's the age-old existential question of what it is to be human which draws me. Whatever the reason, these stories, how ever-familiar, never fail to intrigue me.

So, plot-wise, R.I.N.G. has a familiar tone to it. And it isn't the scariest or most action-packed episode of the series. What it is is an interesting detective story and drama. It might move a little too slow for horror, sci-fi enthusiasts - but the script has many highlights (nice idea to have a drugged Kolchak trying to recall the details of the story. Plus the question of ethics Carl puts to Ring at the end was sharp) and the acting solid (though Robert Easton from the Mortuary was odd, almost mechanical in his stance and delivery). Craig Baxley as Ring had me feeling empathy for his/its plight and that drooping face he made for himself out of putty was downright creepy.

While there are moments of humor as always, it's not a laugh riot: Carl teasing a guy who's been trailing him was funny, as was his reaction when he first saw the robot break through a door. Primarily though this aimed for the heart and cerebellum, it made me think, and when R.I.N.G. utters his last words  (Calling Dr. Dwyer “mama”), it moved me.

All told - the episode won’t thrill everyone, but I liked this tragic tale and the robot’s an added bonus.

Grade: B+

Horror in the Heights

Air Date: 12/20/74
Writer: Jimmy Sangster
Director: Michael Caffey
Actors: 
Phil Silvers as Harry Starman / Ned Glass as Joe / Benny Rubin as Julius "Buck" Fineman / Murray Matheson as Lane Merriott / Barry Gordon as Barry the Waiter / Abraham Sofaer as the Rakshasa Hunter / John Bleifer as Charlie / Jim Goodwin as Frank Rivas / Robert Karnes as Officer Thomas / Shelly Novack as York / Eric Server as Officer Boxman / Paul Sorenson as Officer Prodman / Naomi Stevens as Mrs. Miriam Goldstein / Herb Vigran as Sal Goldstein / Leoda Richards Police Officer's mother / Duke Fishman bald passerby / Peter Paul Eastman as antique customer 

Memorable Line:
Kolchak: "Son, I've seen more dead bodies than you've had TV dinners"

Story:
A flesh-eating Hindu demon called a rakshasa, feasts on elderly folks who live in the 'Heights'.

Review:
Though there are moments of humor (Ned Glass returns as Joe and recognizes Carl - The scenes with the antique dealer) this episode is one of the darkest of the series and hearkens back in edgy tone to the first Night Stalker movie.

I wonder if something like could have been made today. The Nazi symbols (though explained) would probably make most TV executives blanch. The storyline is not a comfortable or easy one, and even Carl seems a little more somber. The monster (who takes the form of those you trust most) is said to return in times of great decadence, yet it's not the decadent ones who meet with grisly death, but rather innocent older Jews. In an interesting touch - salvation from this threat comes from someone the community views with suspicion; a Hindu who has dedicated his life to hunting the rakshasa.

In the newsroom scenes, I liked the rapport between Emily and Kolchak. I like that we actually got to see Carl file a printable article and to hear he and Tony converse calmly as colleagues (and how Vincenzo looks out for his reporter at the police station). Course, we do get at least one heated exchange between the two.... though there's a slight twist as it's Carl yelling after a departing Tony (usually it's the editor shouting for Carl to "Get back here!")

Written by Hammer horror alumnus, Jimmy Sangster (The Curse of Frankenstein (1957), Dracula (1958)), Horror in the Heights is sharply scripted and nicely paced. Though there a few brain farts (Miss Emily fills in as the advice columnist when it has been stated in earlier episodes that this was her regular gig at the paper), overall this one's a dark, frightening mix with a smart, tense ending. One of the best episodes in the series.

Grade: A+

The Energy Eater

Air Date: 12/13/74
Writer: Arthur Rowe, Rudolph Borchert, Robert Earll
Director: Alexander Grasshoff
Story: Arthur Rowe
Actors: 
William Smith as Jim Elkhorn / Elaine Giftos as Nurse Janice Eisen / Robert Cornwaithe as Dr. Hartfield / Robert Yuro as Captain Webster / John Alvin as Dr. Ralph Carrie / Michael Fox as Frank Wesley / Tom Drake as Don Kibbey / Ella Edwards as the Receptionist / Bob Golden as a Policeman / Dianne Harper as the Second Girl / Joyce Jillson as Diana Lanier / John Mitchum as the Janitor / Paul Baxley as Electrocuted Worker / Melissa Green as First Girl / Barbara Graham as Laurie / Michael Strong as Walter Green

Memorable Line:
On the problems the Hospital is having...
Nurse Eisen: "They said it takes a while to get everything working"
Kolchak: "Well I feel that way myself some mornings"

Story:
A new Hospital is built atop the burial ground of Matchemonedo, an Indian "bear god" who feeds on energy and spits it out with devastating effect.

Review:
The episode starts off promising. We have the mysterious deaths of Indian construction workers on a Hospital site; at the dedication, the foundation's quiver and the walls crack. What is behind all of this and why?

Good question and I'd have liked a better answer. Oh, we learn that the Hospital was built upon the resting place of an (invisible) bear god that has come out of hibernation, but all the writers do with this slight premise is fill the hour with tedious padding. This fearsome spirit electrocutes a few unfortunate patients and we see many shots of floors and walls splitting open. They never expand on the horror or raw power that a God should possess.

On the plus - There is some real funny dialog; I'm talking 'bust a gut' humor. And Carl teams up with a couple of colorful allies - among them a Native American Shaman, delightfully played by William Smith. His Jim Elkhorn isn't your stereotypical solemn all-knowing medicine man. He's uncomfortable doing a native dance to ward off the Matchemonedo and fancies himself a lady's man. Sadly, these characters quickly fade away without a satisfying goodbye. (Was that dead woman in the lab supposed to be Nurse Eisen?)

The final confrontation was as lame as anything I've ever seen. Carl wanders around, gets his foot stuck, falls down, and falls asleep. Other than waving a fire extinguisher about, there's no big clash between these titans.

The Original Outer Limits TV series used to do some inventive things FX wise (See their energy being in "The Man With The Power"), it's a shame the same couldn't be said for 'Night Stalker', a show made over 10 years later (that drawn eye on the X-Ray wasn't enough to send shivers down my spine). In the end; a slight story, unanswered questions (why were the Native American workers the only ones targeted during construction?), a wisp of a monster whose menace and power is undercut by budgetary constraints, all left me feeling underwhelmed.

Grade - Earns points for humor: C+

The Spanish Moss Murders

Air Date: 12/6/74
Writer: Al Friedman and David Chase
Director: Gordon Hessler
Actors: 
Keenan Wynn as Captain Joe "Mad Dog" Siska / Severn Darden as Dr. Aaron Pollack / Richard Kiel as the Pelemafait / Johnny Silver as Pepe LaRue aka Morris Shapiro / Ned Glass as Joe the apt manager / Randy Boone as Jean the fiddler / Virgina Gregg as Dr. Hollenbeck / Bill Diets as first reporter / Frieda Rentie as second reporter / Brian Avery as the record producer / Rudy Diaz as Sgt. Villaverde / James LaSane as Officer Johnson / Maurice Marsac as Henri Villon / Roberta Dean as Michelle Kelly / Donald Mantooth as Paul Langois / Elisabeth Brooks as the Lab Assistant

Memorable Line:
Carl shows Tony a fuzzy picture he took of the Bogey Man...
Vincenzo: "What is that, Salvador Dali's bar mitzvah?"

Story:
A test subject in a sleep experiment dreams up a Cajun bogey man.

Review:
Now, this is the show at its best! An intriguing story idea that doesn't trip over itself with those plot holes or unanswered questions which plagued this series.

The acting is solid. Kennan Wynn plays the Police Captain this time out, and he's perfect. It's too bad that he wasn't a series regular because Siska had a nice, if sometimes explosive, rapport with Kolchak. He'd roar and get annoyed but also seemed to reasonably listen at times (Until Carl pushed it)

Also wonderful as always are the exchanges between Oakland and McGavin. Again, Kolchak gets under his boss's skin, but it seems like Tony seriously cares, and deep down likes his rumpled reporter. Their banter about a "disappearing little man" had me roaring with laughter.

The idea of a nightmare coming to life is scary enough. That it controls the dreamer (who we find out is not allowed to dream) and later, exists independently, is even more frightening. Richard Kiel was the perfect choice to play the Bogey Man. His towering size lends authenticity to a bone-chilling legend (Hey, if you build it up, you better be able to deliver. And Kiel delivers). I'm not sure why the woman at the start only looks at the Pelemafait strangely, without an exclamation of concern (perhaps a case of really bad acting?), but this was one of the episode's few hitches.

The moody end scenes in the sewer were very suspenseful. The tension was so thick even Kolchak tried to back out (and was comically prevented from doing so). Yes, Carl poking Kiel with a stick looked silly, and the cheap monster costume doesn't inspire fear when viewed with our modern high def, big-screen TVs. But those are minor quibbles. The good stuff -the smart, intense story and performances- far, far outweighs any weaknesses.

Grade: A+

Bad Medicine

Air Date: 11/29/74
Writer: L. Ford Neale, John Huff
Director: Alexander Grasshoff
Actors: 
Richard Kiel as the Diablero / Alice Ghostley as Dr. Agnes Temple / Victor Jory as Charles Rolling Thunder / Ramon Bieri as Captain Joe Baker / Marvin Kaplan as Albert Delgado / James Griffith as George M. Schwartz / Dennis McCarthy as Ballistics Man / David Lewis as Auctioneer, Malloy / Morris Buchanan as Night Watchman / Marilyn/Madilyn Clark as Hostess / Keith Walker First Reporter / Bill Deiz as Second Reporter / Alex Sharp as First Policeman, Mason / Lois January as Mrs. Rhonda June Marsky (aka Adele Saperstein) / Barbara Morrison as Mrs. Luci Lapont Addison / Riza Royce as Mrs. Charlotte Elaine Van Piet / Ernie Robinson as Chauffeur / Troy Melton as Desk Officer / Walt Davis as Second Policeman, Crawley / Arthur Wong as Auction Attendee / Richard Geary as Auction Guard / Bob Golden as Police Detective Tackwood / Paul Baxley as Cop in stairwell

Memorable Line:
Vincenzo: "If I were a cliff dweller I wouldn't be downtown Chicago. I'd be dwelling in my cliff in an adobe hut 2 stories high, which is not exactly the Hancock Tower!"

Story:
A medicine man is condemned to walk the Earth for eternity, constantly collecting a horde of jewels.

Review:
Richard Kiel stars as an evil Indian sorcerer, and it goes without saying that he takes care of the scares department with ease. Where it loses me, is why he has to kill (or stage suicides). He's able to gain control without a problem - murder is superfluous. Though he might derive pleasure from the act, Kiel doesn't relay this. In fact, Richard's sorcerer is very workman-like. To end a curse, He has a job to do, that's the primary motivation.

Despite these cloudy issues, "Bad Medicine" is clear in every other aspect. While the shape-shifting Kiel is impressive, the newsroom sequences are an equal delight. Everyone shines. Ruth McDevitt and Jack Grinnage are both wonderful here. Ruth's Miss Emily sticks up for Carl in an argument with Tony and later helps Kolchak play an elaborate con on Updyke. Poor Ron, I kind of felt sorry for the guy here. He's not a bad sort but Carl plays him like a fiddle. And another casting gem was seeing Barbara Morrison play one of the Diablero's victims. Fans of MST3K will remember her as Polly Prattles in the movie, "Project Moonbase".

Simon Oakland is his usual brilliant self. I loved the scene where he's camped out all night at the office waiting for his errant reporter to return. The script here had me tickled (Tony asks Carl if he ever reads the paper, to which Kolchak replies with a quick "No"). I can't express enough just how good McGavin and Oakland were together.

The end sequence relies on that old Kolchak luck again - I never felt he was in any real danger (at least not in the same way he was in Zombie or the later, Spanish Moss) and the solution seemed a little pat and simple. Other than these few hiccups, this is a winner.

Grade: B+

The Devil's Platform

Air Date: 11/15/74
Writers: David Chase, Donn Mullally, Rudolph Borchert, Larry Markes, Norm Liebmann
Director: Allen Baron
Story: Tim Maschler
Actors: 
Tom Skerritt as Sen. Robert W. Palmer / Ellen Weston as Lorraine Palmer / Stanley Adams as Louis the Bartender / Jeanne Cooper as Dr. Kline / Julie Gregg as Susan Driscoll / John Myhers as Senator James Talbot / Dick Patterson as Stephen Wald / Keith Walker as TV Reporter / John Dennis as Second Maintenance Engineer / Robert Do Qui as Park Policeman / Sam Edwards as Bernie the Mailman / Ike Jones as First Maintenance Engineer / William Mims as Officer Hale / Bruce Powers as First Policeman / Ross Sherman as Second Policeman / Bill Welsh as TV Announcer / Peter Paul Eastman as Mr. Ludlow

Memorable Line:
Kolchak: "The people's candidate: Fearless, independent and energetic. Why can't the peoples' candidate be like the rest of us... timid, insecure and lazy"

Story:
A Senator sells his soul to the devil and destroys anyone who gets in the way of his political aspirations.

Review:
Slick and clever dialog pepper the script of this episode and are the highlights to a solid show. McGavin earns some great lines ("expletive, deleted"). Plus the exchanges are funny (Vincenzo compares Carls hat to a Bird Feeder), playful (Miss Emily presents gifts) and when spoken by Senator Palmer, tinged with darkness.

Tom Skerritt is rather laid back, almost sleepy as Palmer. But he's also cool and arrogant, a man without fear. And that gives him a scary edge. Unfortunately, he also has a weakness that presents itself early on and lessens the story's impact. That weakness is that he can only manifest his power while he wears a medallion.

For example, Palmer can turn into a fearsome Mastiff, a dog that can't be killed - either by fall or by bullets. Yet when Carl rips the medallion free in a skirmish with the pooch, the Senator is stuck. This leads to some great scenes where Carl is tracked by the menacing mutt but undercuts the overall threat.

It also makes for an ending that is too quick and convenient. Yes, the scene where the hell beast is turned into a playful pet was poetically humorous. And Skerritt's performance with McGavin features some wonderful writing. But that Palmer didn't wield his power more impressively and that he had it wrested from him so easily (Carl takes the medallion twice), proves to be a fatal flaw in an otherwise solid episode.

Of Note: Jerry Fielding introduces new music to the score. It had violins and a rattling snare drum. It was nice to see TV vet Sam Edwards (The voice of Thumper in "Bambi". Red in the "Beatniks") in a small part. Oh, and the film mentioned in this ep, "Musical Holiday" with Alice Faye and John Payne? Not a real movie.

Grade: B

Firefall

Air Date: 11/8/74
Writer: Bill S. Ballinger
Director: Don Weis
Actors: 
Fred Beir as Ryder Bond / David Doyle as Cardinale / Madlyn Rhue as Maria / Philip Carey as Sgt. Mayer / Lenore Kasdorf as Interviewed Girl / Marcus Smith as Interviewed Man / Alice Backes as Dr. Shropell / Patricia Estrin as Felicia Porter / Joshua Shelley as George Mason / Carol Veazie as Mrs. Sherman / Virginia Vincent as Mrs. Markoff / Carol Ann Susi as Monique Marmelstein / Gary Glanz as Bert the stage manager / Martha Manor as Maria's client / George Sawaya as Frankie Markoff / Uncredited actors as Philip Randolph Roark, Officer Turner, Markoff's Son, Arcade Manager

Memorable Line:
Kolchak: "You wanna help me Ron?
Updyke: "Yes Kolchak, I do"
Kolchak: "Oh Ron that's terrific you can come out tonight and help me dig up Frankie Markoff's body from the graveyard"

Story:
A "doppelganger" -destructive ghost who takes on the appearance of a living person it envies- Assumes the form of conductor Ryder Bond, and causes those dear to Bond to burst into flames.

Review:
Spooky ghost story seems to leave a lot of unanswered questions in its fiery wake, but if you listen and watch closely - the answers are there. So let's get those out of the way...

For one - many wonder why this ghost, an arsonist in his former life, is targeting Ryder Bonds friends? I think the answer is given by the gypsy Carl speaks to; as she explains that the ghost is malicious and is trying to wear down the human it wants to be. What better way to do that than to have Ryder implicated as a murder suspect and to keep him in the grip of constant, terrible grief. Also, it can't completely take over Ryder's body until he sleeps. So the underlying thread is that the doppelganger needs its victims in a weakened state.

As for how the driver caught on fire (he wasn't nodding off). As we'll see in a later scene with Carl; the 'ganger can set inanimate objects on fire. That automobile was pretty smoky - since we never saw the actual death, it's likely that it set the car interiors ablaze, not the driver himself.

With these gnawing questions put aside, one can focus on the frights this episode provides. And darn if it isn't one that gave me a LOT of goosebumps.

After the first grisly murder, a woman spots the quick whispery image of a smiling Bond. It's a creepy moment and one which the filmmakers build upon step by step. The spirit seems to grow in strength the more it kills and the more Ryder weakens. The ghostly form soon takes on enough substance that it even fools Carl, and nearly burns a room down around the jittery reporter. Darren does a great job playing Kolchak as more than a little freaked out. The bits with him and the gypsy are cute but also feature a hint of his growing desperation.

Desperation mixed with paranoia and the crushing lack of sleep are all elements in the fear. Carl takes Bond to a Church so that he might get some sleep. And while the doppelganger can't get into the sanctified ground, that doesn't prevent it from driving the conductor to the brink of madness. Its grinning visage bounces from one Church window to the next. tapping non-stop to keep Ryder awake... Wow -shudder- this became one of those enduring and indelible images in the show's short history.

Other thoughts: Monique makes one last appearance (she fills in on the crossword because Miss Emily is sick), Updyke gets in a good line about tequila when Carl shows up at work after 2 days without sleep. And later, the look of horror Grinnage gives when Carls asks if he'll help dig up a body, is classic.

Not everything works - Carl running down a list of those who have died from spontaneous human combustion, doesn't really prove his point about a doppelganger - but after 3 weeks of fair to middling, Firefall puts Kolchak back on track.

Grade: A

The Werewolf

Air Date: 11/1/74
Writer: Paul Playdon, David Chase
Director: Allen Baron
Actors: 
Eric Braeden as Bernhardt Stieglitz / Dick Gautier as Mel Tarter / Nita Talbot as Paula Griffin / Henry Jones as Captain Julian Wells / Bob Hastings as Hallem / Ray Ballard as Bernie Efron / Barry Cahill as Dr. Alan Ross / Lewis Charles as George Levitt / Dort Clark as Gribbs / Lyn Guild as Lois Prysock / Jim Hawkins as Jay Remy / Heath Jobes as Radio Man / Steve Marlow as Sailor / Jackie Russell as Wendy / Ruth McDevitt as Edith/Emily Cowels

Memorable Line:
Kolchak: "Oh no, no - this has nothing to do with chimes ringing or splicing at all!"
Carl trying to explain to Mel that his desire to find a Priest doesn't have anything to do with Marriage.

Story:
Carl takes Tony's place on the cruise ship 'Hanover', and meets up with a deadly Werewolf.

Review:
Speaking of camp superhero shows from 1967 (he says from out of the blue) Last week we had "Captain Nice" (William Daniels), this time out the show guests stars a "Mr. Terrific" cast member, Dick Gautier. Dick is the comic relief (Mel Tatar) who sets Carl up with Paula (Nita Talbot); Kolchak's main comrade on this cruise ship caper.

Talbot does well in her role as the fast-talking film lover and she and McGavin have good chemistry together. There's a touch of screwball comedy in their banter. I liked her, and if I have a complaint about the episode, it's that her story isn't given a proper finish (Carl should have said something about her. I assumed she was killed along with Mel, though we never see her body. She's just... gone.)

Eric Braeden balances the humorous elements with an intense performance. His Bernhardt Stieglitz is cursed and impatiently struggles to find release. Braeden does a fine job conveying the desperation and painful suffering of his character during his transformation. (I would have liked a 'face to face' confrontation between Stieglitz in human form and Kolack. Add that as another failing)

The werewolf itself looks like Teddy Ruxpin on a bender, but there's a palpable animalistic fury to the creature. It's fast and it's deadly. Now add the claustrophobic elements of being trapped on a boat with this thing, and you have a brilliant setup.

The big payoff at the end is spin-tingling: The beast is loose and wreaking havoc. The sound of gunshots fills the empty ocean air, and as Carl weaves through the ship to hunt the creature; he sees pockets of frantic activity, dead bodies line the halls - and the sounds and shadows of the monster seem to surround him in all directions.

While not an A+ level ep, it does offer good "B-Movie" type fun, with a nice mix of humor and horror.

Of Note: This is Ruth McDevitt's first appearance as Emily Cowels (Listed as "Edith" in the credits). Emily was said to be out on vacation for a week in "The Ripper. She must have a lot of vacation time because in two weeks (in "The Devil's Platform") she'll be shown returning from Italy. Also, she's gone from "Advice" to writing a "Riddle" column?

Grade: B

The Vampire

Air Date: 10/4/74
Writer: David Chase
Director: Don Weis
Story: Bill Stratton
Actors: 
William Daniels as Lt. Jack Matteo / Suzanne Charney as Catherine Rawlins / Kathleen Nolan as Faye Kruger / Larry Storch as Jim "The Swede" Brytowski / Jan Murray as Ichabod Grace / Army Archerd as Man / Selma Archerd as Woman / John Doucette as Deputy Sample / Noel de Souza as Chandra / Scott Douglas as Second Reporter / Tony Epper as Andrew Garth / Jimmy Joyce as Man Talking / Milt Kamen as Gingrich / Alyscia Maxwell as Third Reporter / Stuart Nisbet as Hotel Manager / Anne Whitfield as Girl / Bill Baldwin as 1st Reporter / Howard Gray as Bellboy / Biene Blechschmidt as Elena Munoz / Betty Endicott as Linda Courtner / Rand Warren as Clayton 'Stacker' Schumaker / Ted White as Hugo Matlz / Nick Dimitri as football player / Hunter von Leer as football player

Of Note: 
Heated battles between the star and the new producer became so distracting that another member of the staff, composer Gil Melle, quit.

Memorable Line:
Kolchak: "He should meet my boss, he'd turn Buddha into a chain smoker"

Story:
Carl goes to Los Angeles to take on a female vampire

Review:
It opens on a dark deserted road outside of Las Vegas. A car blows a tire and as the driver works to change it -She cuts herself- The spilled blood then awakens something that had been buried for 3 years. The camera pulls back and we see two hands break through the earth and reach skyward. This creepy sequence is one of Kolchak's most memorable. That the rest of the episode fails to deliver on the promise of this stunning start, is a disappointment.

It's not that the "Vampire" isn't funny. Carl cons his boss into sending him to L.A. so that he can investigate a few murders. And later, cons a real estate agent into writing the story (about a Guru) Vincenzo assigned him while out there. Both of these are light and humorous bits.

Nor does it lack interesting characters. Larry Storch plays a reporter friend who tips Carl on the murders, and William Daniels is the frustrated L.A. Lieutenant working the case. Along with the co-star, Kathleen Nolan - there's plenty of sparkling dialogue and character interplay.

But the story never really builds on a case that got under Carl's skin and is the reason we have this series in the first place. The case of Janos Skorzeny, the Night Stalker himself. Darren McGavin wanted the hunt for Janos to be a recurring thread that ran through the series. Had the show run for any great length, that would have been a novel idea to pursue. And "Vampire" could have been a great part of that thread; had it been done right.

It wasn't.  There's only the briefest hint that this new vampire was one of the original victims of Skorzeny. They never have Vincenzo reference the situation, despite the fact that he was there in Vegas when it happened. Carl's machinations to get to the area lose punch because it's never directly addressed why he's so driven to go. After all, murders occur in cities all over the country. Why this case, why now?

Now, there is a moment -give credit to Darren for this- at the end, while on the airplane. When he quietly repeats the words, "Three Years", and stares into space. He wears the distracted look of a man haunted by something he can't let go of. It's quick, but chilling and gives a hint to what a richly textured episode the "Vampire" could have been.

Aside from a few scenes (The fiery finish was impressive, though illogical -why would a vampire live next to something that can harm her?), they dropped the ball on this one. While I like the idea of the call girl Vampire, I just wish they'd explored that fuller. I wish she had been a bit more articulate, rather than this unlikable cipher. She was powerful, but not really alluring or scary, and in truth, I thought she looked silly the way she ran after Carl hissing and baring her teeth. I know I'm nitpicking on this one, and really, you could do that to just about every episode in this series. It's just that I wanted more from Vampire, I needed it to offer more, be something extra special instead of just another run-of-the-mill episode.

Grade: C+

They Have Been, They Are, They Will Be...

Air Date: 9/27/74
Writer: Rudoph Borchert
Director: Allen Baron
Story: Dennis Clark
Actors: 
James Gregory as Captain Quill / Dick Van Patten as Alfred Brindel / Mary Wickes as Dr. Bess Winestock / Maureen Arthur as Woman Speaker / Rudy Challenger as Stanley Wedemeyer / Fritz Feld as Waiter / Phil Leeds as Howard Gough / Len Lesser as Crowley / Dennis McCarthy as Security Guard Riley / Gary Glanz as Peter Leeds / Tony Rizzo as Leon Van Heusen / Carol Ann Susi as Monique Marmelstein / John Fiedler as Gordy "The Ghoul" Spangler / Dick Enberg as radio announcer

Memorable Line:
Kolchak: "...what could use, two tons of lead?"
Monique: "God's pencil?"

Story:
An alien stops by and throws up. Uhh, yup - that about covers it.

Review:
The invisible monster stories are my least favorite in this series - and while this one outdoes "The Energy Eater" in demonstrating its power (by blowing out brick walls and tossing cops through the air like wads of paper). the episode lacks the later eps humor and colorful characters.

Not to say it's devoid of either. Carl interrupting Vencenzo's dinner with a few nasty details of the case is a hoot. Mary Wickes is solid as a doctor at the Zoo, and James Gregory does his weary cop thing well. It's just not in the same league as "Energy" in this area.

While the writers try to put some thought behind their theories, and there are eerie elements to the story (the bone marrow thing). In the end, Carl's mundane explanation for the visit had me wondering, "Why even bother telling such a tale"? It's about as compelling as spending an hour watching paint dry. Hey I know, next week Frankenstein reads the Yellow Pages!

Another point against it is the cheesy elements: Like the cheap and silly-looking flying saucer. Or the contrivance of having the alien presence being bothered by Kolchak's camera. Both helped undercut the being's menace and the overall fear factor.

All told, while not terrible, it's not a real grabber either.

Grade: C

The Zombie

Air Date: 9/20/74
Writer: Zekial Marko, David Chase
Director: Alexander Grasshoff
Story: Zekial Marko
Actors: 
Charles Aidman as Captain Leo Winwood / Val Bisoglio as Victor Friese / Scatman Crothers as Uncle Filemon / Antonio Fargas as Bernard 'Sweetstick' Weldon / J. Pat O'Malley as Cemetery Caretaker / Joseph Sirola as Benjamin Sposato / Gary Baxley as Willie Pike / Hank Calia as Albert Berg / Ben Frommer as The Monk / Roland Bob Harris as Poppy / Paulene Myers as Mamalois "Marie Juliette" Edmonds / Chuck Waters as Jerry / Earl Faison as Francois Edmonds (The Zombie) / John Fiedler as Gordy "The Ghoul" Spangler / Carol Ann Susi as Monique Marmelstein

Memorable Line:
Kolchak: "Captain Leo Winwood and I had a relationship that was long and bloody, like the Crusades, only without the chivalry"

Story:
A voodoo priestess brings her son back to life so that he might seek revenge against his killers.

Review:
As a 5 time all-pro defensive lineman for the San Diego Chargers, Earl Faison was a fearsome giant (6-5, 250) and he brings all this terrifying power to his role as the Zombie. Faison, like Richard Kiel, would be imposing just standing still. His presence (even in shadow) is just one of many reasons why this episode remains one of the series finest.

I'm not sure what problems Darren McGavin had with producer Paul Playdon (who would leave after this episode), because the show was working. In Zombie especially, all the elements are in place. An eerie mystery, nail-biting suspense, superb dialog, and interplay between the characters, as well as a keen sense of humor. The only weakness in this episode that I can find is with the 'blank stare' acting of Carol Ann Susi - heck, Tor Johnson was more expressive than Susi (who is best known as the voice of Howard's mother in the Big Bang Theory). But even then the writers were able to draw some chuckles from the character (Carl stuffing her into the trunk to get her out of his hair was perfect)

Big laughs amid the terror became a trademark of the series, and Zombie has a bundle of side splitters. The scene between Vincenzo and Kolchak on the phone is one of the funniest things I've ever seen on TV - Prime, 'who's on first' style material. And when a slipper-wearing Tony enters the Captain's office to bail out his reporter... lots of laughs indeed.

The character dynamic was also very tight. Carl is his own man, but there is this spirit of 'belonging' that was lost a little at the end of the series run. Kolchak was a reporter, odd, but respected for his talent I believe. In The Ripper, he hangs out with Jane Plumm, and here at a press conference they rally around info he has and unite in taking the Captain to task. (Of course, when the Capt. leaves and they converge on him for the answers; Carl's no fool, every man for himself - "Get your own story" he hilariously grouses)

And what about the fear factor? Zombie doesn't miss out on that either. The blending of mobsters and voodoo lore was an ingenious mix. Both sides squeeze in on Carl and the pressure keeps the atmosphere tense throughout. One scene to the next is a delight and draws us to a brilliant ending. The living dead takes the bus (lol) to his resting place (an old Herse in a junkyard) and I tell you, my heart pounded as Carl attempted to sew together the lips of the zombie. Easily one of my top 3 episodes.

Grade: A+

The Ripper

Air Date: 9/13/74
Writer: Rudolph Borchert
Director: Allen Baron
Actors: 
Mickey Gilbert as The Ripper / Beatrice Colen as Jane Plumm / Ken Lynch as Captain R.M. Warren / Ruth McDevitt as Miss Engeweiler, the peeping tom / Roberta Collins as Police Detective Susan Catazzo / Denise Dillaway as Debbie Fielder / Robert Bryan Berger as Mail Boy / Donald Mantooth as Second Policeman / Cathey Paine as Ellen / Mews Small as Masseuse / Clint Young as Driver / Dulcie Jordan as Driver's Wife / Paul Baxley as Cop in alley / Uncredited actors as Michelle Shiftler, Laura Moresco, Lt. Phil

Memorable Line:
Kolchak (to Capt. Warren): "For once try being a cop instead of an ostrich!"

Story:
Is a Chicago serial killer the actual and original Jack the Ripper?

Review:
When I first saw this I thought to myself, "Great, another age-old evil, preying on women over the course of several centuries. Been there, done that".

Aside from mirroring the first two movies, another problem I had was that this villain didn't resemble Jack the Ripper in the least. Jack didn't write rhymes, and one doesn't make surgical-type incisions with a big assed sword. Also, how did he get so super strong? Why is electricity the only thing that can kill him? More importantly - where does someone find shoes that last for 70 years! Still, with Kolchak, a person really has to sit back and enjoy the ride. Get too tangled up with logic and you spoil the brew.

Overall the episode works, it's well-paced, well scripted and the acting is solid. Ken Lynch as Captain Warren (Warren, ironically, was also the name of one of the investigators in the original Ripper case) is commanding but clearly outclassed and outsmarted by the reporter. Their argument about the killer is notable for the sharp dialogue.

Kolchak working with Jane Plumm added depth; as his sincere concern over her safety fleshes him out as a caring, humane character. Other acting highlights: A squeamish Updyke trying to do Carl's job is priceless (Jack Grinnage is excellent overall). Also, Ruth McDevitt is seen - not as Miss Emily but as a Miss Emily reader. And Paul Baxley, who was William Shatner's stand-in on Star Trek, makes the first of many uncredited appearances.

So, despite the lapses, The Ripper shapes up to be an excellent episode. It had action, character development, the ending was tense and most appropriately, it made its debut on Friday the 13th.

Grade: A-