The Night Stalker

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The Night Stalker

1971

1h 15m

Horror

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

88%

Tomatometer

8 Reviews

78%

Popcornmeter

250+ Ratings

After several high-profile newspapers fire him for his difficult attitude, investigative journalist Carl Kolchak (Darren McGavin) finds a job following the police beat for a small Las Vegas publication. When Carl discovers a series of dead showgirls drained of blood with bite marks on their necks, the police hesitate to take the case any further, and his boss (Simon Oakland) wants nothing to do with the story, leading Carl to believe there may be a real vampire prowling the city streets.

Dann Gire

Chicago Daily Herald

But John Llewellyn Moxey's razor-sharp direction of Richard "I Am Legend" Matheson's screenplay created such a documentarylike atmosphere of realism that the movie became a mini-classic...

Nov 2, 2021

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 2/5

Nov 3, 2005

Full Review

Cole Smithey

ColeSmithey.com

Rated: 3/5

Sep 26, 2005

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Robin Clifford

Reeling Reviews

Rated: 3/5

Nov 19, 2004

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Emily Blunt

Blunt Review

Love this campy retro-stuff!

Rated: 3/5

Jul 15, 2004

Full Review

Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

Darren McGavin is delicious in bringing his character to life as the wisecracking reporter, who has a nose for trouble, truth and film legend.

Rated: B-

Feb 18, 2004

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Glenn F

This TV movie had the highest ratings of any TV Movie for many years ! It later led to the TV Show Kolchak The Night Stalker. This film is great from start to finish & the acting is superb ! This is still the best TV movie I have ever seen. Check it out for a fun time .

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/04/24

Full Review

Dallas H

I am starting to think Dan Curtis has a fascination with vampires.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

09/22/24

Full Review

CodyZamboni

TV movie is fast paced with lots of horror action, with a formidable vampire foe. I enjoyed seeing the travelogue location photography of early 70s Vegas hotels, casinos, and fashion. Kolchak is alot more serious, and alot more pissed off than in the TV show. Overall tone is also less campier than the series. Bonus casting of Carol Lynley, as Kolchak's hot girlfriend. Also noteworthy, the movie ends on a sadder, more bittersweet, more sobering note.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

10/27/23

Full Review

George A

The movie that spun off one of the most influential horror series of all time.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/06/21

Full Review

william k

Above-average, unusual TV crime mystery stuns with its supernatural topic.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Incredibly tedious and silly TV movie that inexplicably led to a successful TV franchise. A vampire is stalking L.A. and Darren McGavin is the maverick journo who smells a story. As boring as that.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/27/23

Full Review

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John Llewellyn Moxey

Director

W. Lyle Richardson

Carl Kolchak

Carol Lynley

Gail Foster

Simon Oakland

Tony Vincenzo

Ralph Meeker

Bernie Jenks

Claude Akins

Sheriff Warren A. Butcher

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Synopsis

After several high-profile newspapers fire him for his difficult attitude, investigative journalist Carl Kolchak (Darren McGavin) finds a job following the police beat for a small Las Vegas publication. When Carl discovers a series of dead showgirls drained of blood with bite marks on their necks, the police hesitate to take the case any further, and his boss (Simon Oakland) wants nothing to do with the story, leading Carl to believe there may be a real vampire prowling the city streets.

Director: John Llewellyn Moxey
Producer: Dan Curtis
Production Co: ABC Circle Films, Dan Curtis Productions
Genre: Horror
Original Language: English
Runtime: 1h 15m