The Night Stalker

Darren McGavin first played wisecracking newshound Carl Kolchak in this 1972 TV horror movie set in the swinging ‘70s. The eccentric, rumpled Kolchak has a nose for the supernatural and he's on the trail of a Las Vegas serial killer, who leaves his victims drained of blood and sporting twin holes in the neck. Kolchak insists the killer is a modern day vampire, which exasperates his editor (Simon Oakland) and infuriates the police, so he stalks the vampire himself, armed with a silver cross, a wooden stake, and an ever-present tape recorder and flashbulb camera. Carol Lynley plays his understanding girlfriend, and Ralph Meeker, Claude Akins, Kent Smith, and Charles McGraw costar as the Vegas cops and politicians Kolchak alienates with his abrasive charm and smart mouth. The quirky mix of horror and humor turned The Night Stalker—produced by Dan Curtis and directed by John Llewellyn Moxey from a witty script by Richard Matheson—into one of the highest-rated TV movies of all time. It inspired a sequel (The Night Strangler, also new to Blu-ray) and a short-lived TV series (Kolchak: The Night Stalker), and was a major inspiration for The X-Files (creator Chris Carter cast McGavin in a recurring role as a retired X-Files veteran with an acerbic personality and a familiar rumpled wardrobe). Extras include new commentary by film historian Tim Lucas, new interviews with director Moxey and composer Bob Cobert, an archival interview with producer Curtis, and a booklet. A cult film and TV landmark, this is recommended. (S. Axmaker)