User Reviews

Darren McGavin was a great actor. He was in some of my favorite movies and TV shows, A Christmas Story and the unforgettable Kolchach the Night Stalker. Darren carries this episode and because of that, it's one of the better episodes of the series.

Darren McGavin was one of those rare actors who was great in anything he did, and this is no different. After hitting two home runs in the "Night Stalker" and "Night Strangler" movies playing the inimitable, legendary Carl Kolchak, McGavin really shines in this little-known gem. He plays a plays a doctor who wants even more fame and fortune than what he already has. He even goes so far as to perform a heart transplant on a patient who...as it turned out...wasn't quite dead yet. The doctor knows he's in some major trouble when he starts getting some unsettling phone calls, and the "donor" is nowhere to be found...and wants his heart back!!! McGavin really pulls out the stops as he runs the emotional gamut from cockiness to stark raving terror as he knows that the donor (fittingly named "Skorzeny"...a name very familiar to Night Stalker fans) is now gunning for him. Not only does McGavin carry the episode, but he also directed it. Sadly, as today is February 25, Darren McGavin left us this very day 15 years ago. He graced us with many outstanding performances over the course of his career, and I admit, I miss him dearly.