The Night Strangler (1973)

86% of critics liked it
(7 reviews)
69% of users liked it
(186 ratings)

The Night Strangler is the sequel to the enormously successful 1972 TV movie The Night Stalker. Darren McGavin returns as seedy reporter Carl Kolchak, who previously ran into conflict when Las Vegas authorities refused to acknowledge Kolchak's uncovering of a modern-day vampire. Now he's in Seattle,… More The Night Strangler is the sequel to the enormously successful 1972 TV movie The Night Stalker. Darren McGavin returns as seedy reporter Carl Kolchak, who previously ran into conflict when Las Vegas authorities refused to acknowledge Kolchak's uncovering of a modern-day vampire. Now he's in Seattle, on the trail of a mysterious strangler who drains the blood of his victims. Kolchak's quest takes him to a hidden underground city beneath Seattle and the bizarre residents therein. Margaret Hamilton (The Wizard of Oz) is seen briefly as an expert on alchemy; John Carradine also makes cameo. The success of this telemovie and its predecessor inspired a brief 1974 TV series, Kolchak: The Night Stalker, also starring McGavin. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 14 min.
Directed By: Dan Curtis
Written By: Richard Matheson
Genres: Drama, Horror, Mystery & Suspense, Comedy

In Theaters: Jan 16, 1973 Wide
On DVD: Apr 28, 1998

Critic Reviews

, TV Guide's Movie Guide
It's a forgettable murder mystery.
Jon Niccum, Lawrence Journal-World
Interesting spin on the Jack the Ripper legend
Beth Accomando, KPBS.org
Darren McGavin creates one of the great TV characters in reporter Carl Kolchak.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Great sequel to The Night Stalker

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Featured Audience Ratings

Danny R

A excellent sequel to the thriller "The Night Stalker," which stands as one of the highest rated made-for-TV films ever made. Darren McGavin reprises his newspaper reporter role of Carl Kolchak, in a superb performance. This time tracking a story in Seattle, Washington,… More
A excellent sequel to the thriller "The Night Stalker," which stands as one of the highest rated made-for-TV films ever made. Darren McGavin reprises his newspaper reporter role of Carl Kolchak, in a superb performance. This time tracking a story in Seattle, Washington, where a mysterious nocturnal strangler has been murdering young women, and removing small amounts of blood from the top of there skulls. Good creepy fun, with good supporting performances from Richard Anderson, John Carradine, Wally Cox, and Margaret Hamilton.
Anthony V

Great sequel to the first Night Stalker movie.