Horror in the Heights

Kolchak already gave us many weird monsters from everywhere, this turn an Indian spirit who attacks a Jewish neighborhood at Roosevelt Heights's Chicago area, this creature called Raksasha used to eat his victims in matter of minutes, not before it appears with friendly appearance from someone which the victim trust, Carl makes a research as usually at Indian restaurant which the owner put his business there on purpose, due the evil creature has been attacked there, soon the sassy Kolchak quest in the basement where several nazi flags are all around, in fact this odd symbol makes part of the ancient Indian background to beat off Raksasha at India, sudden appears an old man Ali Lakshmi (Abraham Sofaer) trying hits Kolchak with poisoned darts, although later they introduces themselves, actually Ali is a monster hunter, meanwhile he is already too old to carry on his assignment, the final showdown is coming, glad to see the funny Phil Silvers on the cast!!

Resume:

First watch: 2020 / How many: 1 / Source: DVD / Rating: 7.5

Other reviewers have given the plot already which is a tad weak in the buildup to Kolchak's confrontation with the monster - it is however a creepy idea - don't trust anyone, especially if they want to hug you.

What puts this episode a little higher is that like a few others it has a number of older professional character actors in it, such as Phil Silvers, Ned Glass, and others. When these people are in an episode it seems to spur the regulars, McGavin, Oakland, etc to up their game as well, and some of the scenes are little gems to watch.

It also is noteworthy for the social commentary it injects - the plight of the elderly poor, decades before that matter really starts to impact on American society.

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.

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.

This is the famous Night Stalker Episode that Definitely was the influence behind the brilliant 2014 horror masterpiece "IT FOLLOWS".... This episode tells of a "Demon" that can change into the image of someone you recognize, you know and trust... Then once your guard is down, it KILLS YOU... The Demon Spirit in the stunning film of 2014 "IT FOLLOWS" has the exact same ability and the only dofference is that in the movie ONLY ITS NEXT VICTIM can SEE it Coming... No one else can... Great Night Stalker episode.