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Carl Kolchak(Darren McGavin) investigates the recent deaths of wealthy society matrons whose priceless jewels were stolen. The thief turns out to be another supernatural threat, this time a towering Native American called the Diablero(played by Richard Kiel) who is a cursed entity forced to roam the Earth in search of jewels it must collect. The Diablero can shape-shift into animal forms, in this case a coyote and a crow, making its escapes easier. It also uses its eyes to transfix its victims, which Carl uses to his advantage... Unusual episode with a far out premise works because of the threatening presence of Richard Kiel, perfectly cast to be menacing.

This episode of "Kolchak: The Night Stalker" is about some weird American Indian character, the 'Diablero'. It (Richard Kiel) appears and disappears along with his friends, a coyote and a crow, in order to steal jewels! This notion sounds so ludicrous that I just assumed the writers for the show were doing drugs or just did this as a joke. I was shocked when I researched a bit and saw that the Soroan Indians DID have such a legend--an evil man who uses the forces of darkness to do exactly what the Diablero does on "Kolchak". Who would have thought?!

So is it any good? Well, yes and no. Yes, despite the story sounding silly is was enjoyable. However, like just about all the shows, it is 100% formulaic and you could see why the series only lasted one season. Kolchak identifies the problem, no one believes him, the police harass him and, ultimately, he destroys the creature while nearly getting killed. Formula...so no surprises with this one.

PLOT: Kolchak investigates the dubious suicides of rich society matrons who just happened to be missing priceless jewels. As similar deaths occur, Kolchak learns about a Native American legend, the Diablero, a shapeshifting witchdoctor condemned to roam the Earth and acquire a treasure to lift his curse.

COMMENTARY: This episode is most notable for 7'2" Richard Kiel as the 'monster.' He passes surprisingly well as an American Indian who has an affinity with the crow and coyote. Kiel was best known as James Bond's hulking antagonist 'Jaws' in "The Spy who Loved Me" (1977) and "Moonraker" (1979).

A Native American legend materializes in Chicago, and Carl (Darren McGavin) discovers it when he investigates the mysterious deaths of two wealthy society matrons who possessed priceless jewels. When the murders increase, Kolchak learns that the force at work is know as the Diablero (Richard Kiel), a being cursed to roam the Earth in search of valuable gems.

While the demon in this episode is almost surely made up and not some traditional native spirit (unfortunately), thy still had a fun time creating it and bringing it to life. I mean, heck, Richard Kiel! What a great actor to play a giant, lumbering villain!

"Bad Medicine" boasts the imposing Richard Kiel in the role of a Native American sorcerer known as The Diablero, who possesses the hypnotic power to 'change reality,' instigating a rash of murders of high society women for their most valuable diamonds. Vincenzo is content to accept the police theory that these were suicides, Ramon Bieri's Captain Joe Baker (later popping up under a different name in "Legacy of Terror") witnessing a robbery at the Gem Exchange that results in two guards shooting themselves with their own guns, and a coyote transforming into the Diablero, who leaps off the roof and vanishes from sight, retaining his stolen cache as a black crow. Marvin Kaplan plays a former diamond cutter who figures that since none of the prized items have appeared on the black market that Carl must consider the killer a collector. Alice Ghostley as Dr. Agnes Temple first relates the legend of this Diablero, among the cliff dwellers from centuries past who dared to steal the temple jewels and as penance must acquire an eternal treasure, longtime screen veteran Victor Jory exultant as Charles Rolling Thunder, who immediately cautions Kolchak on the only way to stop the creature: "The Diablero cannot live with the sight of its own gaze." Richard Kiel would menace Kolchak again in an even better episode, "The Spanish Moss Murders."

Richard Kiel most famous for being Jaws in the James Bond movies plays a rather large Indian evil spirit from the cliff dwelling Hopis who can shape shift and become almost anything. Right now he's using those powers and abilities to accumulate a rather large store of some valuable jewels, courtesy of some of Chicago's society matrons who also get very dead for their contribution.

Victory Jory playing an old Indian shaman whose advice is invaluable to Darren McGavin in finding and defeating the Diablero which is what the cliff dwelling Indian call this spirit. Rival reporter in INS Jack Grinnage working on another story also provides some inadvertent aid in locating Kiel's dwelling.

Just where would an 8 foot cliff dwelling Indian spirit reside in Chicago?

This is a very good episode of this influential, but short, series that has our "hero" tracking down a killer, played in fine form by Richard Kiel. This original motive has the "Diablero" stealing rich women's jewels and murdering them, while disguising himself as a crow or coyote, and I have to admit that the animal scenes weren't corny, but effective, especially the coyote's creepy growl. There is one scene, however, that should've been edited, because the "dead" police dog accidentally moved an ear after Kolchak takes a picture of it, and while it was a cute moment to the observant viewer, it obviously wasn't intended to be that way, and it takes away from the horror at that moment. Some familiar faces include Alice Ghostley, Victor Jory, Marvin Kaplan, and Ramon Bieri, who has a knack of playing police detectives during his acting career, and each added to the story, as well as the regulars on the show. As another reviewer mentioned, the chanting that the killer utters on the dark floor of the desolate building is quite creepy, although I felt the conclusion was a bit rushed, and too convenient for Kolchak to figure things out. All of that said, this was still a fine episode with good writing and performances, but not the best in the stable.

After years of only reading about this cult series, I finally got to watch an ep when my mom got access to MeTV after switching cable companies. This one has the title character searching for who's behind stealing jewelry from rich old ladies as he turns into various animals. Richard Kiel, who would later become known as Jaws in the James Bond films The Spy Who Loved Me and Moonraker, plays this Indian/Native American (though he's nothing of the sort in real life) villain. Lots of good action and some amusing comedy abound including a scene of Kolchak at a barbershop with a barber who once was a thief (Marvin Kaplan who would later be one of the patrons of Mel's Diner on "Alice). I really enjoyed this one. Also appearing in this ep was one Alice Ghostley who I recognized from various popular sitcoms over the years. Her role as a museum guide here isn't funny but her voice and delivery are charismatic enough that she commands your full attention, that's for sure! I can't wait to see more eps I have recorded so stay tuned...