ABC airs the 13th episode of Kolchak: The Night Stalker, based on Jeff Rice’s novel and the 1972 TV movie The Night Stalker, starring Darren McGavin. Jamie Farr (M*A*S*H) and Katharine Woodville guest star. 
A research scientist with an oil conglomerate is killed, his arm literally ripped from his body. The scientist’s project is wreathed in secrecy. Investigating further, Kolchak discovers that a number of earth samples were brought back from the Arctic by a company research team. The samples contained cellular organisms which, when accidentally thawed out, begin to reproduce at a rapid rate, growing into primate “missing link” creatures. There are several at large, attacking Chicago residents. Despite the ongoing cover-up by both the police and the conglomerate as they attempt to recover the primates, Kolchak tracks the remaining humanoid to its lair in the tunnels beneath the football stadium where the first atomic tests were conducted.
written by Bill S. Ballinger & David Chase
directed by Robert Scheerer
music by Jerry FieldingCast: Darren McGavin (Carl Kolchak), Simon Oakland (Tony Vincenzo), John Marley (Captain Molnar), Pat Harrington (Thomas Kitzmiller), Katharine Woodville (Dr. Helen Lynch), Jamie Farr (Jack Burton), Jack Grinnage (Ron Updyke), Barbara Rhoades (The Secretary), Jeanie Bell (Rosetta), Lindsay Workman (Dr. Fisk), Regis Cordic (Dr. Peel), Byron Morrow (Dr. Cowan), Vince Howard (Policeman), Sandra Gould (Landlady), Al Checco (Nils), Gary Baxley (Primate)
Notes: There are a number of in-jokes in this story. One of the victims is named William Pratt (Boris Karloff’s real name). Another is watching The Mummy, a Universal picture, when he is killed. Universal, of course, was the series’ co-producer.
LogBook entry by Steve Crowe