The Night Strangler (1973)

★ 6.7 1h 30m IMDb

After being run out of Las Vegas, reporter Carl Kolchak heads for Seattle and another reporting job with the local paper. It's not long before he’s on the trail of another string of bizarre murders. It seems that every 21 years, for the past century, a killer murders a certain number of people, drains them of their blood, and then disappears into the night. Kolchak is on his trail, but can he stop him?

The Night Strangler

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Cast

Darren McGavin
Darren McGavin as Carl Kolchak Died 2006 · Spokane, Washington, U.S. Darren McGavin (born William Lyle Richardson; May 7, 1922 – February 25, 2006) was an American actor best known for playing the title role in the television horror series Kolchak: The Night Stalker an...
Jo Ann Pflug
Jo Ann Pflug as Louise Harper Age 85 · Atlanta, Georgia, USA Jo Ann Pflug is an American actress that was born May 2nd, 1940 in Atlanta Georgia. Her first major role was as the Army Nurse Lt. Maria "Dish" Schneider in the military based TV series M.A.S.H. Afte...
Simon Oakland
Simon Oakland as Tony Vincenzo Died 1983 · New York City, New York, USA Simon Oakland (August 28, 1915 – August 29, 1983) was an American actor of stage, screen, and television..
Scott Brady
Scott Brady as Capt. Schubert Died 1985 · Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA ​From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Scott Brady (September 13, 1924 – April 16, 1985) was an American film and television actor. Born as Gerard Kenneth Tierney, he was the younger brother of fello...
Wally Cox
Wally Cox as Mr. Berry Died 1973 · Detroit, Michigan, USA Wally Cox was a beloved character actor who made his mark in television and ranks as one of the medium's most memorable performers. His ability to show his range likely was limited by his short statur...
Margaret Hamilton
Margaret Hamilton as Prof. Crabwell Died 1985 · Cleveland, Ohio, USA From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Margaret Hamilton (December 9, 1902 – May 16, 1985) was an American film actress known for her portrayal of the Wicked Witch of the West in the 1939 film The Wiz...

Audience Reviews

John Chard 7.5/10 Jul 28, 2015
I just saw your "so-called killer" wipe up the street with your so-called police force!

After the success the previous year of The Night Stalker, Carl Kolchak (Darren McGavin) returns for another feature film. The intrepid reporter with a quip on the lips and a disdain for the unbelievers in the suit wearing echelons, is now in Seattle and quickly realises that the current spate of killings are more than just the work of a serial killer. But can he convince the authorities of this?

The formula is exactly the same here, Kolchak simultaneously locks horns with his editor and all the law enforcement people in his arc. He does a voice over for us, proves to be clearly better than the law officers in charge of the case, drops sarcasm as pearls of wisdom, and of course has charisma in abundance. The difference here is that the villain, elegantly played by Richard Anderson, has a voice, a sort of Count Dracula for the modern setting, a Eugene Tooms in embryonic form, he's a great villain and this in turn gives Kolchack more to get his teeth into. Of course the ending is never in doubt, but there's a whole bunch of fun and 70s style scares to enjoy during the ride.

Joining the ever enjoyable McGavin are Jo Ann Pflug, Simon Oakland (again great foil for McGavin), Scott Brady, Wally Cox, Margaret Hamilton and John Carradine. A TV series would follow, such was the popularity of the character and its monster of the week formula, and it would influence none other than The X-Files some years down the line. Kolchack, legacy earned and warranted. 7.5/10
Wuchak 7/10 Apr 25, 2018
Every 21 years a formidable strangler is on the loose in Seattle

RELEASED TO TV IN EARLY 1973 and directed by Dan Curtis, "The Night Strangler" chronicles events in Seattle when the strangled bodies of several young women are found. Intrepid reporter Carl Kolchak (Darren McGavin) discovers that the same kinds of murders occur every 21 years dating back to the late 1800s. Simon Oakland plays Kolchak’s bellowing boss while Jo Ann Pflug appears as a genial belly dancer who assists Carl. Scott Brady plays the police captain while Wally Cox is on hand as a helpful scribe. Richard Anderson has a key role.

“The Night Strangler” was the follow-up to the highly successful “The Night Stalker” (1972) and led to a series that ran for one season from 1974-1975 (20 episodes), not to mention numerous Kolchak books. The two pilot movies are the best of the batch and established the template (formula) for the series and books.

Like the first film, there’s a lot of intrigue, action, ravishing women, horror and suspense, plus a percussion-oriented jazzy score that’s even better. “The Night Strangler” adds a little effective comedy and the antagonist is more complicated. The underground lair is mysterious and the mummified family is creepy, but the details of the alchemist’s elixir and strategy seem contrived.

It’s good to have Kolchak team-up with someone (cutie Pflug), which rarely happens in the ensuing series, but it was welcome when it did (“The Energy Eater” and “Demon in Lace”). There are a few peripheral beauties (Regina Parton, Nina Wayne and Francoise Birnheim), which the rest of the series mostly lacked, except for the debut episode, “The Ripper,” and "The Werewolf."

Since this is a TV flick from the early 70s don’t expect much gore.

THE MOVIE RUNS 90 minutes (with the original TV release more streamlined at 74 minutes) and was shot in Seattle and the Bradbury Building in downtown, Los Angeles, with studio work done at 20th Century Fox Studios. WRITER: Richard Matheson (teleplay) & Jeffrey Grant Rice (characters & formula).

GRADE: B+

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