Customer Reviews

Kolchak: The Night Stalker Collector's Edition: Devil's Platform & Horror In The Heights

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During its' too brief run, "Kolchak: The Night Stalker" was my favorite television show. Darren McGavin was superbly cast as quirky reporter Carl Kolchak, a man that pursues occult stories. Simon Oakland was also brilliantly cast as loudmouthed editor Tony Vincenzo, Kolchak's boss and a general nemesis but yet in some ways a mentor.
"The Devil's Platform" guest stars Tom Skerritt as a very up and coming politician that has sold his soul to the devil in order to win elections. When the politician's opponents begin to die mysterious deaths to pave the way for his success, Kolchak gets interested and tracks down a mysterious dog that wears a symbol of devil worship. Using pilfered holy water, Kolchak is able to defeat the politician and render him completely incapable of even speaking. The relationship between Kolchak and Vincenzo is demonstrated when Vincenzo complains about Kolchak's straw hat. When Kolchak asks what Vincenzo doesn't like about his hat, his reply is "What's under it." That is a great line delivered in fine form.
The man in league with the devil is a plot that this show almost had to do, for it is such a staple of western folklore. However, it is not all that well delivered as the devil would be a good deal subtler that his cohort portrayed here.
"Horror in the Heights" is also a bit of a history lesson. Given what it symbolizes in the twentieth century, the swastika is now considered the ultimate symbol of evil. Yet, that is only a recent adaptation, for centuries the swastika was a symbol used to ward off evil spirits. In this case, an evil being called a Rakshasa has taken up residence in an old Jewish neighborhood. The Rakshasa feeds on human flesh and tricks its' victims by entering their mind and appearing as someone they trust. After several people are killed, Kolchak meets up with an elderly Hindu man that understands the Rakshasa and has pursued them all his life. He gives Kolchak the only weapon that can kill it and warns him that he must trust no one. Kolchak responds by stating that there is no one that he trusts. However, it turns out that there is someone that he trusts, so he is forced to make a major decision.
This episode was also an opportunity to feature the regular character of Emily Cowles, an elderly lady that edits an advice column. She is an amusing woman, appearing to be the only person in the newsroom that actually likes Kolchak. She is a lovable old woman and at the end, she may be getting exactly that.
This is one of my favorite episodes of the series because it uses a storyline that is from outside western folklore. In this case, the evil is from Hindu mythology so it is something new to most viewers.

Midway through the legendary horror series, we have two better than average episodes.

"DEVIL'S PLATFORM" should really be called "DEVIL DOG." A tough, sexy young politician sells his soul to the devil to gain super powers. The main power he gets is to turn himself into a fierce demonic attack dog at will, tearing the throats of his enemies!

This episode works on a number of levels. The sardonic portrait of politics is good and funny. "A political expose is fine, Carl," says editor Tony Vincenzo. "But why does ours have to have a dog in it?"

The Satanic stuff is handled well, scary and exciting. Watch for the "temptation of Kolchack" scene where the devil's man tempts Kolchak with a suede-backed chair. When offering his soul to Satan at the altar, the politician recites a hilarious "rhyme" that goes something like, "The weed of crime bears bitter fruit/Let Satan take my horn and toot/My soul is his and it's a beaut/I've got a gun don't make me shoot."

Last but not least, Senator Palmer's wife is really sympathetic, angry and disillusioned with her husband, but poised and lovely at the same time. As Kolchak says, hopefully she finds a nice dog (read bed partner) to take care of after her "devil dog" vanishes into the netherworld.

"HORROR IN THE HEIGHTS" gets a lot more respect than it deserves, principally due to the supporting cast. Phil Silvers leads an elite team of aging Borscht Belt Jews doing shtick -- and doing it, and doing it. Fortunately the kvetching and schmoozing comes to an abrupt end when a flesh-eating demon from India makes the scene. The Rakshasa is made a bit ludicrous by the fact that the man hunting him is ninety years old and wielding a crossbow! Kolchak has to pinch hit for the old timer, and a surprise ending involving Miss Emily generates a moderate amount of tension. But all things considered, "Rakshasa" is a vastly over-rated episode.

My vote: Go with DEVIL DOGS as your top choice!