Broadcast January 16, 1973 on ABC TV
Written by Richard Matheson
Directed by Dan Curtis
Produced by Dan Curtis
Cast:
Darren McGavin as Carl Kolchak
Simon Oakland as Tony Vincenzo
Jo Ann Pflug as Luoise Harper
Richard Anderson as Dr. Richard Malcolm
Scott Brady as Captain Schubert
Wally Cox as Titus Berry
Margaret Hamilton as Professor Crabwell
John Carradine as Llewellyn Crossbinder
Nina Wayne as Charisma Beauty
Al Lewis as the Tramp
Ivor Francis as Dr. Christopher Webb
Virginia Peters as Wilma Krankheimer
Kate Murtaugh as Janie Watkins
Regina Parton as Merissa
Diane Shalet as Joyce Gabriel
Anne Randall as Policewoman
Francoise Birnheim as Restaurant Woman
George DiCenzo as Underground Tour Guide
A strangler is committing this �incredible� series of murders. And not only do the victims appear to have been choked to death but each had small amounts of blood removed from their bodies, and the killer (or something) had left traces of decomposed flesh on the victims� necks.
Carl Kolchak, now in a new city with a new job, is assigned to what appears to be a lone case of murder, only to find himself covering the much bigger story of a possible serial killer after new bodies surface. As Kolchak digs deeper, he discovers a pattern of similar murders that occur every twenty-one years and date back to the 1880s. Like the previous movie, Kolchak is up against an inexplicably aged killer with superhuman strength. Again, neither his superiors nor the law have any interest in his theories. He is officially removed from the case but continues to investigate on his own. Where it leads is through a mostly fictitious underground city beneath Seattle and a final confrontation with the ancient killer.
Thoughts:
While this film doesn�t live up to the greatness that was The Night Stalker, it is still a very good television movie. It was directed with plenty of style and has that cool look that we expect from a cool �70s flick. There are some classic scenes, the acting is quite good, and the story itself is more than adequate. I think it is dragged down a bit for its having too many similarities to the first movie. Furthermore, the climax (where many a great movie are made) lacks the intensity and impact that we are expecting as it approaches. Regardless, this IS an enjoyable television movie and exceeds many of the beloved television episodes that followed it. Definitely recommended.
Grade: B
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