Horror in the Heights

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 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.

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.

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.

...who played the Demon? The role is no credited? For the second you get to see it, the makeup looked great.