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Post by dem on Jul 31, 2009 7:14:32 GMT
Count me in as a Karl Kolchak series fan! Were any novels published to tie into the series - seems like a no brainer to me? I remember seeing Dark Shadows novels. KC Crap old 'review' but this is bombing it up my to re-read list. There's a bloody huge bibliography at the back of this one like it was a Michael Slade novel! I think there may have been a The Night Strangler tie-in, too, but nothing from the series was novelised as far as i know. Jeff Rice - The Nightstalker (Pocket Books, 1973) What seems to have happened here is that Jeff Rice couldn’t find a publisher for his original novel. ABC liked the idea, brought in Richard Matheson to screenplay it and “The Night Stalker”, first screened on 11 January 1972, became the U.S.A.’s then highest rating made-for-TV movie, with over a third of the population tuning in. Pocket Books then published the novel as a tie-in. It’s not clear to me whether this is what Rice originally submitted or if it’s been revamped in the wake of Matheson’s involvement. It’s a cracking read either way. “In Las Vegas even the kinkiest crimes don’t cause much stir. Everyone’s used to it.
But now women are lying in alleys, gutters and parking lots - their bodies drained of blood! Is it possible? A vampire stalking the Las Vegas streets?”Carl Kolchak, a cynical, slightly down-at-heel Las Vegas Daily News reporter doesn’t just think so, he knows so, but he’s having a tough time of it getting people to believe him. Constantly sparring with his bosses and the authorities (Rice had worked for The Las Vegas Sun), Kolchak turns the hunt for the killer into something of a crusade. He winds up frustrated and dismissed from his job, but there’s a sense that he’s redeemed himself in his own eyes. The vampire, Janos Skorzeny, proves a ruthless adversary, and his nasty streak isn’t confined to the odd murder. He’s frugal, too: why drink your victim all in one gulp when you can take them home, strap them to a bed, and return to them every time you get thirsty? |
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Post by andydecker on Jul 31, 2009 9:37:43 GMT
Moonstone Comics in the US did quite a lot Kolchak comics lately and even a prose anthology and a reprint of the Rice novels.. I don´t know if it is any longer avaiable, Moonstone is a bit difficult when it comes to its publishing schedule. Am still waiting for a new prose anthology of pulp stories which was announced 8 months ago. Amazon can´t seem to get it, and I don´t want to order it directly. So one sale less.
The stories are written by the usual of today´s suspects. I bought the Spider and it was pretty pedestrian.
Has anyone seen the short-lived Kolchak remake? I have read only terrible reviews about it, which didn´t surprise me, as it was produced by X-Files Frank Spotnitz who didn´t do one truly memorable episode.
The Darren McGavin eps were so good. The effects were lousy and it was made on the cheap, still it was a joy to watch.
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Post by killercrab on Jul 31, 2009 17:08:24 GMT
Has anyone seen the short-lived Kolchak remake? >>
Yes I quite enjoyed it. Similar premise to the original show but with modern touches. I'd of watched more.
KC
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