Svengoolie airs Kolchak episode 'The Night Stalker' tonight

tvJul 26, 2026571,197

Svengoolie screened the 1972 made-for-television movie Kolchak: The Night Stalker tonight, July 25, at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT on MeTV as part of his weekend movie lineup and live watch-party. The film stars Darren McGavin as reporter Carl Kolchak, who investigates a string of Las Vegas murders he comes to believe were committed by a vampire. Posts highlighted the movie's influence on later paranormal-investigator TV, with several viewers calling it an antecedent to shows like the X-Files. Commenters praised McGavin's rapid-fire narration and noted a satisfying final sequence described by one as "a punch and a kiss." Trivia shared during the screening pointed out a detail in the villain Skorzeny's refrigerator: blood plasma labeled Benjamin Richards, a name tied to the 1970 series The Immortal. The broadcast prompted viewers to revisit the film's portrayal of press versus police and to share behind-the-scenes notes and nostalgia for Kolchak's short-lived TV run.

A GEEK DADDY

@geekdad248.bsky.social

The 1972 made-for-tv movie THE NIGHT STALKER which inspired a genre of paranormal investigator television series is tonight's @svengoolieofficial.bsky.social horror flick screening...tune in to MeTV at 8pm Detroit Time to meet Carl Kolchak #Svengoolie #MovieGeek

24518h ago

Obi-Wan𖤐Kaczynski😈💙🤘☕🏴‍☠️7

Greatest TV movie of all time! Mulder and Scully drove down the road that Kolchak paved!

collier74.bsky.social4

So fitting since Svengoolie broadcast The Night Strangler too with the past nine months or so. May still have that on the DVR. It's on YouTube at any rate.

Mulberry Street3

I loved the Kolchak movies when I was a kid. Superb 70s atmosphere with classic monsters in a suburban setting.

peachberlin63.bsky.social2

A good one but I consider the follow-up „The Night Strangler“ superior.

stevelym.bsky.social2

Used to love this back in the 70’s

Richard Brecky presents: JELLYBEAN!1

the original "night stalker" is hands down my favorite vampire movie and nothing else comes close - it is absolutely perfect: funny, exciting, smart, brilliantly cast - it's just fucking perfect.

Quoting this

GarthArizona7

Yes, I guess I'll watch this for the 25th time. Never seen it with Svengoolie.

Tom Hall5

Enjoying this one tonight! #Svengoolie

David A Quinley2

#theNightStalker ; big fave . From childhood . Still love it #svengoolie

Vault of Horrors

@vaultofhorrors.bsky.social

The Night Stalker (1972) is a monumental made-for-television horror film. It didn't just break television ratings records when it premiered on ABC; it essentially birthed the modern urban-horror genre, directly inspiring iconic properties like The X-Files. #vampirehorror #horror #horrormobies

1638h ago

DerMüde’Tude

@dermudetude.bsky.social

"The Night Stalker" was based on an unpublished novel by Jeff Rice. ABC bought it; Dan Curtis was assigned to produce, The Great Richard Matheson to write it. After it became the highest-rated TV movie of all time, Rice was asked to novelize the sequel movie, "The Night Strangler." #Svengoolie

1319h ago

collier74.bsky.social4

Vincenzo: "Take a look around that corner, and see if there isn't someone that looks like he just came from a road company performance of The Front Page." I appreciate that clever bit of dialogue more with each viewing.

Jay Marose4

Friday nights!! I was allowed to stay up for the ABC late movie if it was: Duel Trilogy of Terror Night Stalker

Annette Marie3

My local library has the entire Kolchak Night Stalker series. Just re-watched them all. Holds up!! 💙

hipstitch.bsky.social3

Ah yes Dan Curtis of Dark Shadows fame!!

Eddie Cunningham3

Was the original novel ever published?

tjp1313.bsky.social3

Richard Matheson wrote the best stories for the twilight zone !

Quoting this

Rob Wolfe2

This was such an amazing series of movies. I remember watching it when it was first on. Yes I am old

Dr. SkySkull

@drskyskull.bsky.social

The Night Stalker just did "monsters in the modern world" so well! The scenes of a dozen cops trying and failing to stop and kill one rampaging vampire really did highlight how supernatural horrors can still be potent in a world of guns and technology.

537h ago

Dr. SkySkull13

Darren McGavin appeared in two episodes of The X-Files, as I understand it as recognition for the influence his character and show had on the series.

Keri1

I love The Night Stalker so much. Like to an unhealthy degree.

Scott Berfield ❌👑- May it happen today.1

God I loved that show. It was basically made for my weird 13 year old brain.

JW1

The Night Stalker was actually on Svengoolie tonight.

drgr3g0r.bsky.social

@drgr3g0r.bsky.social

Someone needs to "bring back" the Movie of the Week. Appointment television watched in unison. Oh, wait. That's us. We're doing that. #Svengoolie #TheNightStalker

529h ago

Meow Yoga

@meowyoga.bsky.social

🌹 Hi Folks! Happy Caturday Evening! I've been getting ready for the original "Night Stalker" movie, which will be aired at 8:00 pm EDT with #Svengoolie. 😻 ~ Love, Gypsy 😺

5112h ago

Meow Yoga4

Next Week's Svengoolie will feature the 1974 film Captain Kronos – Vampire Hunter on MeTV.

Mary2

Happy Svengoolie Saturday, Meow! 🎃🖤 #svengoolie

TC Coyote / Not What I Was webcomic

@tccoyote.bsky.social

Now playing on Svengoolie: The original Kolchak movie: the Night Stalker

499h ago

Quoting this

Kenneth Freeman2

They don't make 'em like that anymore.

Joe Blevins

@joeblevins.bsky.social

Can you imagine being a kid in 1972 and seeing this on TV? #svengoolie

358h ago

💙 jacksonscafe☀️3

no need to imagine if you're my age.😉

Peggy Peggy Bo-beggy1

Imagine? I was and did.

Brian1

🤚7 years old and allowed to watch. Always assumed night terrors were normal.

Statler and Waldorf

@firedstatwald.bsky.social

Kolchak: I'm telling you, I've got the biggest story in Vegas here. Gail: You mean Elvis Presley dating Cybill Shepherd? Kolchak: NO! I mean the vampire that..wait...WHAT? #svengoolie

357h ago

Dana

@danasmovie.bsky.social

They knew how to have an awesome car chase and parking lot pileup in the 70s! #Svengoolie

308h ago

Peggy Peggy Bo-beggy

@lilpeggysnowflake.bsky.social

"We dont want undesirable in this town." It's LAS VEGAS! #Svengoolie

157h ago

Nanette K

@nanette-k.bsky.social

@chrishambyfilms.bsky.social is back with his latest #Svengoolie blog featuring "The Night Stalker" on #metv! silverscreenreflex.wordpress.com/2026/07/25/s...

919h ago

Phyll Indablank

@phyllindablank.bsky.social

I'm 85, 90% sure most of the stars appeared on #MeTVBonanza 🤔 - Darren McGaven - Claude Akins - Simon Oakland - Barry Atwater - Elisha Cook, Jr. #Svengoolie

167h ago

Christopher Hamby

@chrishambyfilms.bsky.social

Latest on @svengoolieofficial.bsky.social & his upcoming big broadcast of the classic mammoth Kolchak TV movie pilot, "The #NightStalker" (1972) this Sven Sat. July 25 at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT. Enjoy, fellow wonderful friends/Super #Svengoolie SvenPals. silverscreenreflex.wordpress.com/2026/07/25/s...

14Yesterday

Christopher Hamby4

Also includes a cameo mention of fellow wonderful friend/Super #Svengoolie SvenPal #DaveFuentes' "Terror From Beyond the Dave" highlights of Chicago's Gojira/ #Godzilla fest, G-Fest! terrordaves.com/2026/07/17/t...

Christopher Hamby3

To all my fellow wonderful friends/Super #Svengoolie SvenPals/Super #MST3K MSTies/Super Tooners/Super readers: My #Father & I truly & highly appreciate everyone's prayers & for reaching out to us. Continue praying hard for my Father & I.

Christopher Hamby2

This week’s “Silver Screen Reflections” is dedicated in memory of #FreddyCannon/ Freddy "Boom Boom" Cannon (1936-2026) of “Tallahassee Lassie,” “Palisades Park,” “The #Svengoolie Stomp” and “Hey, Svengoolie” fame & #KayleeHottle (2007-26) of “Godzilla vs. Kong” fame. #RIPLegends

Christopher Hamby2

Also includes a cameo mention of fellow wonderful friend/Super #Svengoolie SvenPal #JamieLee & upcoming Aug. 1 UMBC Fine Arts/Baltimore stage drama debut of "The #JuryExperience," I am looking forward to seeing Jamie & the cast on stage! feverup.com/m/662758?srs...

Christopher Hamby2

In the words of Sven/Rich's executive producer, Jim Roche/ @therealjimrochr.bsky.social: " ##KeepCalmAndWatchSven!" Be sure to join in with us here in these airlanes & live-post #Svengoolie & his wonderful big broadcasts!

Rodney Kopp1

Thank you, Chris. Hope you are doing well.

Michael Campbell

@moviemikec.bsky.social

The public can't be told about a vampire. This explosive diarrhea outbreak is overwhelming them enough #TheNightStalker #Svengoolie

168h ago

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Svengoolie airs Kolchak episode 'The Night Stalker' tonight

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