ABC airs the ninth episode of Kolchak: The Night Stalker, based on Jeff Rice’s novel and the 1972 TV movie The Night Stalker, starring Darren McGavin. Keenan Wynn and Richard Kiel guest star. 
Murder victims are turning up with two unusual features. Their chests are brutally crushed, and they are covered with Spanish moss, a plant not found in Chicago. Kolchak’s investigations also determine a common factor: they were both enemies of an ill-tempered Cajun street player, Paul Langois. Langois has an ironclad alibi, however – he’s been in an induced coma for several weeks as part of a dream-research experiment. Nonetheless, Carl suspects Langois is responsible. His research shows that a bayou legend of Langois’ parish tells of “Pelemafait,” a boogeyman who crushes the life out of his victims. Kolchak believes that the experiment Langois is participating on has unleashed a monster from his childhood dreams. Langois dies as Pelemafait takes on a life of its own, and Kolchak is its next victim. Only a spear made of bayou gum wood can kill the monster in its sewer lair.
written by Al Friedman and David Chase
story by Al Friedman
directed by Gordon Hessler
music by Gil MilleCast: Darren McGavin (Carl Kolchak), Simon Oakland (Tony Vincenzo), Keenan Wynn (Captain Joe “Mad Dog” Siska), Severn Darden (Dr. Aaron Pollack), Randy Boone (Gene the Fiddler), Johnny Silver (Pepe LaRue/Morris Shapiro), Jack Grinnage (Ron Updyke), Ruth McDevitt (Emily Cowles), Ned Glass (Superintendent), Richard Kiel (The Monster), Virginia Gregg (Dr. Hollenbeck), Brian Avery (Record Producer), Maurice Marsac (Henri Villon), Elisabeth Brooks (Lab Assistant), Donald Mantooth (Sleep Subject)
Notes: Keenan Wynn becomes the only recurring policeman to keep the same name (he also appears in Demon In Lace). Here he froths at the mouth as a captain whose months of group therapy are disrupted by Kolchak. Richard Kiel returns again as the gigantic Pelemafait.
LogBook entry by Steve Crowe