Review of "Kolchak - The Night Stalker" by

I have been waiting for this good old series to make it to DVD for years now. I was a huge fan of this show, and I am enjoying it all over again. Kolchak features Darren McGavin. He was one of my favorites anyway, and you may especially remember him from the annual showing of the film "The Christmas Story" where he is the father who wins a Leg Lamp for his home that has the base of a female leg encased in black lace stockings. You will also recognize him from his many appearances on television. For those of you who don't know this show, Kolchak is a reporter for a newswire service in Chicago called "INS." He wears a white suit, a pork-pie straw-colored hat and always has a Pocket Instamatic camera on his shoulder strap. He is called The Night Stalker because he chases down a lot of the evil beings that only stalk in the dark. I like the series because for once the devils, witches and vampires are real. Kolchak believes in the evil creatures he encounters, but his boss and the police do not. He has to fool the boss and pursue his stories alone. At night! Being produced by Universal Studios, there are guest stars that are highly recognizable who joined the series for a special appearance. Scatman Crothers, Jamie Farr, Larry Linville, Jim Backus and many more.

Each of Kolchak's stories is complete, but never published. He narrates his articles into a pocket tape recorder for posterity because he knows they will never appear in a newspaper. Kolchak gets rid of spooks any way he can using Crusifixes and Holy Water if necessary. He always goes out at night and into dark cellars because that is were the evil thrives.

Darren McGavin was great as the pushy newsman who is persistent and clever. Brave and a believer. It was a great series and despite the wholly obnoxious coworkers at the news service office, The Night Stalker holds up well in this collection even 30 years after it was originally aired.