A former big city reporter hoping to re-establish himself in the public eye believes he's landed the biggest story in history when he comes face to face with what he believes must be a real live vampire! Darren McGavin stars in what is perhaps his best, most career defining role as Carl Kolchak here for the very first time. The argumentative, scruffy, set in his ways but ever-determined reporter who wants to get his story and the facts out for the public to read despite the best efforts of all around him, including his editor, the police chief, the district attorney and the local sheriff, to keep him reigned in and the truth seemingly under wraps for the sake of their own necks.
Aside from McGavin's terrific lead performance as a character he seemed born to play, we also have on hand here many fine character actors including Claude Akins, Kent Smith, Ralph Meeker and Charles McGraw. It even boosts superior character actors in bit parts including the ever entertaining Elisha Cook Jr. and Stanley Adams.
The only element here that truly feels out of place is Carol Lynley in the role of Kolchak's unlikely girlfriend Gail Foster. She doesn't seem to fit into the character's universe well at all. Also some may argue the vampire Janos Skorzeny (played with gusto by Barry Atwater) is more than a bit underdeveloped but personally I think they made the right move keeping him mysterious, almost unstoppable, like a not normally noticed monster lurking in the shadows. He seems to be a little more akin to Nosferatu but has some elements of the Lugosi style vampire mixed in as well.
Overall this movie is just plain good old-fashioned entertainment. Just a fun, scary, colorful television film far better than most of its ilk capable of frightening with chilling moments of horror and suspense but also throwing in a nice sense of subtle comedy when the time is right.
Aside from McGavin's terrific lead performance as a character he seemed born to play, we also have on hand here many fine character actors including Claude Akins, Kent Smith, Ralph Meeker and Charles McGraw. It even boosts superior character actors in bit parts including the ever entertaining Elisha Cook Jr. and Stanley Adams.
The only element here that truly feels out of place is Carol Lynley in the role of Kolchak's unlikely girlfriend Gail Foster. She doesn't seem to fit into the character's universe well at all. Also some may argue the vampire Janos Skorzeny (played with gusto by Barry Atwater) is more than a bit underdeveloped but personally I think they made the right move keeping him mysterious, almost unstoppable, like a not normally noticed monster lurking in the shadows. He seems to be a little more akin to Nosferatu but has some elements of the Lugosi style vampire mixed in as well.
Overall this movie is just plain good old-fashioned entertainment. Just a fun, scary, colorful television film far better than most of its ilk capable of frightening with chilling moments of horror and suspense but also throwing in a nice sense of subtle comedy when the time is right.