Horror in the Heights

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.

"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.

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!!

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

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.

I have to say that this episode from this influential series is probably the best, and I seriously doubt that I'm alone in that opinion. Kolchak(Darren McGavin)is on the hunt for a creature called the "rakshasa", a monster that appears as a person the victim trusts, and prepares to hug them before squeezing the life out of them. A cool shot is when the victim sees the person, we(audience)see the back of the "person", which is the hairy monster about to kill. The writing is also terrific, as we meet an interesting cast of characters, including Abraham Sofaer, who plays an elderly hunter for this mythical creature; the scenes he shares with Kolchak are both creepy and fun. This was Sofaer's last acting appearance as well, but it was memorable. Look for a very familiar face in Phil Silvers, as he plays it both funny and straight. The seedy atmosphere is great, as is the chemistry between the actors. Since no show is perfect, and I must be an honest reviewer, my only qualm is how composed Kolchak is when he sees the person he "trusts", even though he knows the person is actually the creature in disguise. I expected him to act a little more scared than he did, although he was equipped with a blessed weapon. Lest I forget, let me mention a few more familiar faces in Barry Gordon and Murray Matheson to round out a fine cast. This episode is a winner all around.