So, in my latest weekly newsletter (which, let’s be honest, is just me ranting about whatever I’ve been obsessing over that week), I talked about something I hadn’t thought about in years—Kolchak: The Night Stalker. Yes, that delightfully campy 1972 TV movie that scared the ever-loving crap out of me when I was twelve. And yes, it’s been that long. Let’s not dwell on that part.
The whole thing started because I recently got my hands on the restored version of the original book, which came out via Kickstarter (but don’t worry, it’s available at retailers now if you missed out). After devouring the book in record time, I had that I must see this on screen again moment and went on a YouTube hunt. Lo and behold, there it was. And let me tell you, watching it as an adult was an experience.
For the uninitiated, Kolchak: The Night Stalker is about Carl Kolchak, an investigative reporter with the fashion sense of a man who fell into a thrift store in the dark and came out looking fabulous (or at least, memorable). Played by Darren McGavin (who you probably recognize as the dad from A Christmas Story), Kolchak is a snarky, wisecracking journalist who stumbles onto what should be the biggest story of his career: a vampire terrorizing Las Vegas. Because yes, this movie isn’t just a fun little detective mystery—it’s full-on supernatural horror, complete with a very old-school bloodsucker who isn’t interested in brooding or tragic backstories. This guy just wants to eat people.
It’s got everything: frantic newspaper office scenes, police who refuse to listen (because of course they do), and that classic 1970s TV movie feel—which, if you know, you know. It’s a perfect mix of noir and horror, with a heavy dose of that era’s delightful over-the-top dramatics. And McGavin? Oh, he absolutely carries this thing. His Kolchak is exasperated, relentless, and way too determined for his own good. I love him for it.
As for the book? It was a blast. Originally written by Jeff Rice, it tells the same story but with even more of Kolchak’s dry, sardonic wit. You can feel his frustration oozing off the page every time someone calls him crazy—which, to be fair, happens a lot. If you’ve ever been the one person in the room who knows the truth while everyone else just dismisses you as ridiculous (I see you, conspiracy theorists), then you’ll get a kick out of Kolchak’s struggles. Plus, the restored 2025 version has a bunch of bonus material, making it an even better excuse to dive in.
So if you’re in the mood for some classic ‘70s horror goodness, I highly recommend both the book and the movie. Read it, watch it, and then join me in wondering why we don’t have more cranky reporters fighting the supernatural on TV anymore.
Until next time—don’t let the vampires get you!
