Horror in the Heights

PLOT: In the Roosevelt Heights community, residents are caught off guard and savagely assaulted by a flesh-eating Hindu demon called Raksasha, who can mimic a person that the victim knows and trusts.

COMMENTARY: The monster and its abilities are the strength of this episode. Unlike in "The Werewolf" the creature make-up (costume) is very well-done. The way the monster preys on people is effectively creepy for mid-70s TV and explains why this episode is held in such high esteem. In this respect, it's arguably the best segment.

"Horror in the Heights" is often considered the finest KOLCHAK episode (along with "The Zombie"), a genuinely terrifying monster that devours its human prey in mere seconds, luring victims to their doom by appearing before them as someone they know and love. It turned out to be the only series script from the prolific pen of Hammer veteran Jimmy Sangster ("The Curse of Frankenstein," "Horror of Dracula"), now firmly relocated to Hollywood since directing 1972's "Fear in the Night." A superlative guest cast is topped by Phil Silvers as Harry Starman, his evening of gambling with friends at a meat packing warehouse shattered by the death of its elderly guard (Benny Rubin), who recognizes a mysterious intruder as his favorite rabbi and walks right into its less than welcoming arms (a huge hairy monstrosity with claws and fangs). Kolchak tackles this subject as a run down Jewish neighborhood where citizens are being 'tragically' slaughtered by what Harry believes is a Nazi putting up Swastikas all around his 'Food of India' restaurant (editor Vincenzo urges the 'bleeding heart' material be removed, lest they be sued by the sanitation department). Great character moments include Carl's comment on viewing the results of the latest murder: "son, I've seen more dead bodies than you've had TV dinners!" There's less of a police presence with Vincenzo actually defending his prized employee, though later dismissing Kolchak's story outright, as well as the photo of 'Bongo the Chimp with fangs!' (a nod to "Bedtime for Bonzo"). 'Madame Emily' (Ruth McDevitt) reveals her secret about joining the newsroom, she's determined to write a novel and has a typewriter and free paper on hand. Murray Matheson is both endearing and amusing as the East Indian expert who divulges the legend of the Rakshasa, returning when the world has reached such a low level of moral decadence, while Abraham Sofaer's Ali Lakshmi (the actor's final performance) shares his knowledge of 60 years hunting the Rakshasa (Ned Glass previously played a different character in "The Spanish Moss Murders"). Kolchak's explanation that he cannot be fooled because he trusts no one will be tested by the Rakshasa during a tense finale that reveals equal measures of compassion and fortitude, not only the best of the entire series but one of television's most fondly remembered hours, period.

People have called this episode Lovecraftian. I just call it Kolchakian. Saw it when it originally aired and it terrified me. I recorded these episodes on an audio recorder then play back as a child. Spooky stuff in the dark under the blanket. I wish this series had gotten a season two. Influential. Ahead of it's time but I'm telling you what you already know or else you would not be here. Has a lot in common with the Jim Butcher, Dresden Files, books which it predates by many years. A Kolchak/Dresden files mash-up would be glorious. Please, please, oh, please.

This episode of Kolchak: The Night Stalker has Darren McGavin covering a story in the Roosevelt Heights section of Chicago. It's an old Jewish neighborhood with the old Jews dying off because their kids have moved up and out of it. Only now something is speeding their departures involuntarily.

That something is a Hindu demon called the Raksasha and this demon can gain your confidence by coming for you in the guise of someone you trust. At that point within seconds he can eat more of your flesh than a small piranha school.

Such folks as Phil Silvers, Ned Glasss, Herb Vigran and Benny Rubin play some of the neighborhood folks who if that wasn't enough have to contend with someone painting swastikas in the neighborhood.

But as McGavin researches the swastika for the ancient Hindus was a symbol to ward off demons. Putting them around is the work of Abraham Sofaer an ancient Indian Indian who runs an Indian restaurant in the area. He's also a Raksasha hunter by avocation although he might not get to finish his last assignment.

This was a nicely done story with a great guest cast.

Carl Kolchak(played by Darren McGavin) investigates the horrible murders of elderly residents in the Roosevelt Heights section in Chicago, who were devoured in minutes. Police think it the result of rats, but evidence points to the Hindu owner of a local Indian restaurant, who is in fact hunting a demonic spirit called a Rakshasa, an evil carnivore who attacks victims by hypnotizing them into thinking they are being approached by someone they trust, but this proves to be no safe haven for normally vigilant Carl... Scary episode makes inspired use of the monster, a chilling creation, and amusing guest appearances by both Phil Silvers & Murray Matheson.