couple years back purchased and enjoyed mgm doublefeature dvd two kolchak tv movies night stalker  night strangler  universal set subsequent tv series came out intended buy immediately rumors playback issues dreaded dvds kept adding collection recently placed online order consisted spate discounted universal box sets decided pick kolchak discer wellbr br having watched now safely say didnt regret acquiring beloved if shortlived crimehorror series one bit may follow standardized formula dogged resourceful newspaperman carl kolchak marvelously played darren mcgavin gets everybodys hair attitude flustered editor simon oakland longsuffering colleagues assorted authoritarian figures plethora monsters villains faces inevitable and usually supernatural threat alone but finally pressured keeping story wraps winning one further boosted impressive lineup guest stars notable behindthescenes credits making show great deal funbr br that said quality varies one episode another modest budgets afforded results special makeup effects sometimes leave lot desired for instance werewolf eponymous entry goofy alligator creature last installment mention fact restricted minute programmes intended family consumption boot rather precludes simplified wholesome rendering often intriguing psychological metaphysical themes in case werewolf again hes never seen biting anyone but somewhat foolishly made merely throw people around br br while heros cynical narration lot pull one fanciful plots theres healthy dose comedy relief involved episode often exclusively revolving around mcgavins relationship either oakland geeky reporter jack grinnage say nothing reasonable atmosphere the setting part chicago suspense make ride even pleasant theres bouncy score gil melle jerry fieldingbr br for record monsters encountered but always defeated kolchak throughout series are revived jack ripper variety cults voodoo native american aztec aliens vampire werewolf going round overfamiliar concept particular episode entirely set cruiseliner doppelganger satanist swamp creature mass electricity robot apeman witch headless motorcyclist succubus knights armor taking murderous life the episode perhaps best supporting cast featuring john dehner morose police captain hans conried robert emhardt helen troy crocodile actors other playing kolchaks coworkers return roles keenan wynn ramon bieri both officers law john fiedler as shrewd morgue attendant richard kiel two distinct nemeses hero pressed choose finest or entertaining episodes id lean towards horror heights costarring phil silvers abraham sofaer aforementioned knightly murders while weakest id go werewolf due reasons ive already explained chopper based story concocted robert zemeckis bob galebr br unfortunately set contains extras would nice see featurette discussing numerous concepts dealt kolchak night stalker well putting series context tv time original airing even denoting lasting influence apparently endless run scifi series popular today fact kolchak much younger ostensibly darker guise returned  revival version available local dvd rental outletbut various reasons im sure id want check soon  classic