ABC airs the 15th episode of Kolchak: The Night Stalker, based on Jeff Rice’s novel and the 1972 TV movie The Night Stalker, starring Darren McGavin. Jim Backus (Gilligan’s Island) and Larry Linville (M*A*S*H) guest star in an episode co-written by Bob Gale and Robert Zemeckis, who would collaborate years later on Back To The Future. 
The murder of a taxi driver at a garage has several unusual aspects. His head was cut off, his killer used a sword, and a witness reports that the victim was decapitated by a headless motorcyclist. Kolchak investigates and determines that the victim was a member of a cycle gang in the 50’s. Other victims turn up decapitated, each a member of the same gang. Behind the killings lies a grisly tale: the victims played a prank on the leader of a rival gang, which resulted in his decapitation. The gang’s leader, Studs Spake, buried the body, but not the head. The leader had ridden in the 50’s seeking vengeance until Studs reunited the head and body. Now, the excavation of the cemetary has resulted in the head and body being separated once more, and the headless motorcyclist rides again. With Studs dead, Kolchak must restore the head to the body once more.
teleplay by Steve Fisher and David Chase
story by Robert Zemeckis & Bob Gale
directed by Bruce Kessler
music by Jerry FieldingCast: Darren McGavin (Carl Kolchak), Simon Oakland (Tony Vincenzo), Larry Linville (Captain Jonas), Arthur Metrano (Studs Spake), Sharon Farrell (Lila Morton), Frank Aletter (Norman Kahill), Jay Robinson (Professor Strig), Jesse White (Warehouse Security Guard), Jim Backus (Herb Bresson), Jack Grinnage (Ron Updyke), Ruth McDevitt (Emily Cowles), Steve Franken (Neil), Joey Aresco (Electric Larry), Jimmy Murphy (Beaner), Jack Bernardt (Otto), Jim Malinda (Snow White), Brunetta Barnett (Nurse), Steve Boyum (Headless Motorcyclist)
Notes: Yes, it’s that Robert Zemeckis, Oscar winning Best Director for Forrest Gump.
LogBook entry by Steve Crowe