As some might recall from the Kolchak Television Series article, I stated I would be taking the time to review individual episodes of this series, and no better way to start than with the first show entitled The Ripper which aired on Friday, September 13, 1974 directed by Allen Baron (who would go on to director three more episodes including two very popular ones The Werewolf [1974] and The Devil’s Platform [1974]) and written by Rudolph Borchert based from characters by Jeffrey Grant Rice. Obviously, by the title it would deal with a killer Jack the Ripper on the loose in Chicago, although this time it took a different variation that this is the original killer somehow traveling through time and space. I know a tad farfetched, although it was not the first tv-series to cover this infamous killer that honor goes to Boris Karloff’s Thriller “Yours Truly, Jack the Ripper” [1961], the series The Sixth Sense “With Affection, Jack the Ripper” [1972] but it was 1967 when Star Trek’s “Wolf in the Fold” that explored a new concept which the lifeforce of Jack, was an incredible power that granted the ability shift to a time, concept used herein and a television-movie in 1985 would use a very similar aspect for Terror at London Bridge. The time slot issued by the ABC network was considered the worst at 10p, however somehow it garnished a market share of 33% of folks were watching allowed to run for a few more episodes before being shifted to other days and times as if it was unwanted little puppy that no one understood while ignoring the horror fan appeal, how to have fun with it. One important aside from all the great work Darren McGavin (Dead Heat [1988]) gave as the lead actor her contribution as an uncredited executive producer at times and not financial benefiting from the position, knew how to become creative with the programming as the violence needed to be moderate.

We find that our hero INS (Independent News Service) Carl Kolchak (Darren McGavin) wants to investigate the Jack the Ripper-style homicides that are occurring in his city of Chicago, which started on May 21st; the suspect is wearing a dapper suit, with a cape. It was at a gentlemen’s club a bit sleazy portrayal on how a dancer named Michelle Shiftman was killed (the significance of this minuscule reference is that she was an unknown actress, no credit given and the very first person ever murdered on the first episode for her famed distinction). However, his editor Tony Vincenzo (Simon Oakland) has a rather dull assignment for, which gives a hint of foreshadowing, it is to answer the “Dear Emily” letters for the vacationing Miss Emily (who is not shown in the first episode although we will sort of meet in this first episode). Although this assignment is more of a punishment due to the chaos Carl caused (which the audience is informed but not shown which often occurs in the series) by pretending to be the commissioner, then borrowed a car and placed several people under citizen’s arrest all while covering a robbery. Therefore, reporter Updyke (Jack Grinnage) is given the murder spree case, but it only results in him being overwhelmed by the gruesomeness of the crimes, in steps Carl once again.

As the murders mount, another journalist and friend of Carl’s Jane Plum (Beatrice Colen) is also reporting on the crimes while the killer evades the police, their bullets too while displaying superhuman strengths. His theory it is the same infamous killer in London from 86-years ago has somehow found to elude time and age to continue a murder spree which he has clues reference in a Dear Miss Emily letter. Upon his desperate search he goes to visit with an elderly woman, Ruth McDevitt (who later go on to fill the role of Miss Emily) but was curiously watching her strange neighbor.

Carl has the free-thinking mindset, which has him throughout an episode, and in addition, that problematic issue he has to wrangle through the uninformative police press conference headed by Captain Warren (Ken Lynch (North By Northwest [1959])) who has no time for any questions and often ignores all inquiries. Kolchak sneaks into the derelict looking Ripper house but has a special gadget to defeat the Ripper for the last time, however he inadvertently burns down the house. As to how it happened one needs to watch the episode…

While one needs to remember this was made for network television in the early 70s, therefore the visuals lacked, with plenty of night shooting, yet still a highly motivated piece, with the killing very basic but least often. Although the episodes feature good action sequences that excels the appearance of superhuman Ripper (stuntman Mickey Gilbert) it balances with the hilarity of a bumbling Kolchak. One likely overlooked aspect of not only the episode but the short-lived series is the “sleaze-factor” that was prevalent in the 1970s and the bloated bureaucracy which is still existence following the seedy going-ons on city dwellers for survival. In addition, for those with a good eye look for both minor role contributions from Roberta Collins (who starred in many horror films including Saturday the 14th [1981]) and Mews Small (who was in Puppet Master [1989] and One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest [1975]).

This return to the first episode brought a flood of childhood memories, and that hidden delightful obsession with horror shows as well as introduce Carl to new audiences who never saw his movies.

IMDb Rating: 7.9/10

Baron’s Rating: 7.0/10