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+