Svengoolie airs The Night Stalker (1972)

tvJul 25, 2026531,197

Svengoolie is airing the 1972 made-for-television movie Kolchak: The Night Stalker on MeTV tonight at 8 p.m. Eastern / 7 p.m. Central. Darren McGavin stars as reporter Carl Kolchak, who investigates a string of murders in Las Vegas and comes to suspect the killer is a vampire while his editor and the police dismiss him. The film was produced for ABC and led to a sequel, The Night Strangler, after strong ratings for the TV movie. Social posts and viewers tonight are calling out the movie's large lineup of classic character actors, including Simon Oakland, Claude Akins, Ralph Meeker, Charles McGraw, Kent Smith, Larry Linville, Barry Atwater, Stanley Adams, and Elisha Cook Jr. Fans also note Kolchak's influence on later paranormal-investigator television fiction and enjoy Svengoolie's hosted presentation of the original pilot.

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

24512h 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

Svengoolie Rich Koz

@svengoolieofficial.bsky.social

See the premiere appearance of newsman Carl Kolchak Saturday night on MeTV! He’s on the beat in Vegas- and convinced a serial killer is actually a vampire! Can he prove the awful truth about the “Night Stalker”?! Darren McGavin stars-8 pm eastern/ pacific, 7 central time!

183Yesterday

Albert Klumpp6

Absolutely terrific stuff. What a shame that his TV series didn't get more than a year. Very glad that MeTV and #Svengoolie got what exists, all so underrated

brentavision.bsky.social6

Smart! Always bring a cross to a vampire fight! #svengoolie

Independent News Service 5

thanks to #svengoolie and #TheNightStalker the cat was a stringer for the INS early in his career. He was 'asked' to leave town, he got out before sunset, very, very quickly.

brentavision.bsky.social5

Oh, Jesus. Yeah, undesirable elements are certainly not wanted in a city started by a mobster. 🙄 #svengoolie

brentavision.bsky.social5

Boo! Poor doggie. 😢 #svengoolie

CDXX4204

Nightstalker was my favorite show back in the day! I will be watching. Been watching your show since WCIU "the U" on TV. Berwyn?

Quoting this

Irie DC4

An old fave on #Svengoolie tonight.

Nichole Christoff3

Hooray! Some good, old-fashioned Kolchak journalism! Well, it’s Kolchak anyway. ❤️ #svengoolie

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

1233h 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.

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 !

Jay Marose3

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

Soul Seeker2

A great TV series back in the day.

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

522h ago

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

513h ago

TC Coyote / Not What I Was webcomic

@tccoyote.bsky.social

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

483h ago

Quoting this

Kenneth Freeman2

They don't make 'em like that anymore.

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.

411h ago

Dr. SkySkull10

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.

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 😺

437h ago

Meow Yoga2

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

Mary2

Happy Svengoolie Saturday, Meow! 🎃🖤 #svengoolie

Joe Blevins

@joeblevins.bsky.social

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

352h 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

352h ago

Dana

@danasmovie.bsky.social

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

302h 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...

913h 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...

1420h ago

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!