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.
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-
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