a couple of year back i have purchase ( and enjoy ) the mgm double feature dvd of the two kolchak tv movie and the night stalker ( 1971 ) and the night strangler ( 1972 ) . when the universal set of the subsequent tv series come out and i have intend to buy it immediately – but rumor of playback issue with the dreaded dvd 18 keep me from add it to my collection while recently and i place an online order which consist of a spate of discount universal box set and decide to pick up the kolchak 3 discer as well . have watch it now and i can safely say that i didn ’ t regret acquire this beloved ( if short live ) crime or horror series one bit represent it may follow a standardized formula – dog and resourceful newspaperman carl kolchak and marvelously play by darren mcgavin and get into everybody ’ s hair with his attitude ( flustered editor simon oakland and long suffering colleague and assorted authoritarian figure and a plethora of monster and villain ) and face up to the inevitable ( and usually supernatural ) threat alone but and finally and be pressure into keep his story under wrap – but a win one ( far boost by an impressive line up of guest star and notable behind the scene credit ) and make the show a great deal of fun . that say and quality varies from one episode to another and the modest budget afford them result in special and make up effect which sometimes leave a lot to be desire ( for instance and the werewolf in the eponymous entry and the goofy alligator creature in the very last installment ) – not to mention the fact that these be restrict to 50 minute programme and intend for family consumption to boot rather preclude a simplified and wholesome rendering of it often intriguing psychological and metaphysical theme ( in the case of the werewolf and again and he ’ s never see bite anyone but and somewhat foolishly and be make to merely throw people around ) . while the hero ’ s cynical narration do a lot to pull one into the fanciful plot and there ’ s a healthy dose of comedy relief involve in each episode ( often and but not exclusively and revolve around mcgavin ’ s relationship with either oakland or geeky reporter jack grinnage ) – to say nothing of reasonable atmosphere ( the setting and for the most part and be chicago ) and suspense . to make the ride even more pleasant and there ’ s a bouncy score by gil melle and jerry fielding . for the record and the monster encounter ( but not always defeat ) by kolchak throughout the series be represent a revive jack the ripper and a variety of cult ( voodoo and native american and aztec ) and alien and vampire and werewolf ( go round it over familiar concept by have this particular episode entirely set on a cruise liner . ) and doppelganger and satanist and swamp creature and mass of electricity and robot and apeman and witch and headless motorcyclist and succubus and a knight ’ s armor take a murderous life of it own ( the episode with perhaps the best support cast – feature john dehner a a morose police captain and han conried and robert emhardt ) and helen of troy ( . ) and crocodile . some of the actor ( other than those play kolchak ’ s co worker ) return in the same role – keenan wynn and ramon bieri ( both a officer of the law ) and john fiedler ( a a shrewd morgue attendant ) and richard kiel a two distinct nemesis of the hero . if i be press to choose the fine ( or most entertaining ) episode and i ’ d lean towards horror in the height ( co star phil silver and abraham sofaer ) and the afore mention the knightly murder – while and a the weak and i ’ d go for the werewolf ( due to reason i ’ ve already explain ) and chopper ( base on a story concoct by robert zemeckis and bob gale . ) . unfortunately and the set contain no extras represent it would have be nice to see a featurette discuss the numerous concept deal with in kolchak represent the night stalker and as well a put the series into the context of where tv be at the time of it original airing and or even denote the lasting influence it have on the apparently endless run of sci fi series popular today . in fact and kolchak himself – in a much young and ostensibly darker guise – return in a 2005 revival while this version be available at my local dvd rental outlet…but and for various reason and i ’ m not sure i ’ d want to check it out so soon after the 1974 5 classic .