Author Tony Piazza

Mystery Author and Movie Historian

  • Tony’s Blog
  • About
  • Media Appearances
    • Media Kit
  • Events
    • Events
  • Author Shop
    • Books
    • Other Merchandise
  • Contact
  • Tom Logan Mysteries
  • Hollywood Movie Histories
  • Anthologies
You are here: Home / Archives for Darren McGavin

Serial Killer Stalks Underground Seattle by Tony Piazza

May 16, 2014 By tonypiazza 3 Comments

Kolchak

In 1972 a television movie starring Darren McGavin caught my attention. It was called The Night Stalker and told the story of a Las Vegas newspaper reporter, Carl Kolchak as he tracks down a serial killer who turns out to be a vampire. It was based on the then unpublished novel,  The Kolchak Papers written by Jeff Rice and adapted for the small screen by Richard Matheson. Dan Curtis was the producer. You might remember that name from another television series thriller, Dark Shadows– a macabre spin on the afternoon soapbox opera which aired in the 1960s. The Night Stalker premiered January 11, 1972 and became the highest rated television movie for that year.

Night Strangler 2

Glowing with the success of the first film, ABC commissioned Richard Matheson to write a sequel, The Night Strangler, which aired a year later in 1973. This followed Kolchak on yet another search for a serial killer; only this one hid out in the underground city of Seattle and strangled victims for their blood which he used to keep himself alive for over a century. It also became a ratings success, and so it logically followed that, Kolchak: The Night Stalker became a new series that ran on ABC from 1974-1975;  again starring Darren McGavin as Kolchak, with regular, Simon Oakland as his long-suffering editor, Tony Vincenzo- not to mention every ghost, ghoul, vampire, or monster you could ever have nightmares of.

Darren McGavin

A youthful Tony Piazza with Darren McGavin working on a TV movie in the mid 1970s.

In 2005 the series was re-imagined with Carl Kolchak portrayed by Stuart Townsend. It was canceling however after a couple months due to low ratings.

Night Stalker 2005

Night Stalker 2005

I enjoyed the original show, and have it in my DVD collection. Both television movies were intriguing… but the second, with its images of the buried city of Seattle continued to hold my curiosity even up to today- especially after I’d learned back then that such an underground city existed.

Darren 3

Darren McGavin in character as Carl Kolchak

Flash forward to the present, and a recent trip to Seattle, where I saw in a brochure that tours of that underground city were being offered. How could I pass that up after being haunted by the images long ago of that spooky strangler running through the ruins of a century old buried city in pursuit of our hero, Kolchak. Well, let me say that the reality was not exactly like the celluloid image… but was it disappointing? I would say, definitely not. Let’s take a look:

DSCN0949

Start of Tour at Pioneer Square, Seattle, WA.

DSCN1038

Spooky Sidewalk Skylight

DSCN1040

Entrance to the old Seattle bank

DSCN1041

Bank vault where guard was shot dead. Guide says his ghost still wanders the corridors

DSCN1042

Door near the bank. Someone buried behind those bricks? Hmmm.

DSCN1039

Old sign in rubble…Sam’s Bar? For Spirits?

DSCN1048

Inside of the old bar…notice the pillar- it’s an original

DSCN1047

Lounge seating from adjacent hotel

DSCN1052

Hotel wall painted to look like wallpaper

Finally, I have seen the lost city’s celluloid version, however it wasn’t in Seattle buried under the streets, but very much above ground in downtown Los Angeles. Yes, it is the famous Bradbury Building, (it was dirtied up for the movie- not pristine as in the photo), but very recognizable. Luckily I didn’t come across any century old stranglers, but then again, that’s Hollywood!

 DSC01477

Bradbury Building, Los Angeles, CA

Scary guy

The Night Strangler- who didn’t make an appearance-  thank goodness!

This guy’s in desperate need of Dr. Whosits French melon extract creme. 

As an aside, I’ve also met and talked with Simon Oakland on the set of Bullitt in 1968, and visited with Jo Anne Pflug (co-star) of Night Strangler when she was filming A Step Out of Line in 1971.

————————————

NewAuthorPhoto2 4-12-13

Tony Piazza (Courtesy of Charlotte Alexander)

Tony Piazza is author of the 1930s Hollywood murder mystery novel, “Anything Short of Murder,” which had its roots on the TCM fan website. His second novel, “The Curse of the Crimson Dragon” was published next in early 2012, and in November of 2013 his second Tom Logan Mystery, “A Murder Amongst Angels was released.” In July of 2015 his latest Logan mystery, “Murder Is Such Sweet Revenge” was made available for purchase, and has since been an instant bestseller. All are available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble websites. He was an actor/extra during the 1970s and worked with such legends as Steve McQueen, Paul Newman, and Karl Malden.  His non-fiction e-book “Bullitt Points” is an in depth look at the making of “Bullitt” from a person who was there. Look for it on Amazon and Barnes and Noble websites,  or at the link posted below. All profits go to the Boys Republic charity: www.bullittpoints.com.

Tony Piazza is a member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and SLO NightWriters.

NEW!

All my novels in the Tom Logan mystery series have become audio books- read by actor James Romick, and is available on Audible, Amazon, and I-tunes.

11401368_1139753982708066_1713633751399547843_n

AMAA audio cover new

41I7jcvuaYL._AA300_

NEW!

The rollicking adventure novel set in paradise. The thrill-a-minute bestseller that two film producers are interested in…”The Curse of the Crimson Dragon” is now available as an audio book, read by the talented Broadway actor, James Romick. Find it at Audible, Amazon, and I-Tunes.

CCD image- abc new

My earlier bestselling novels, “The Curse of the Crimson Dragon” and “Anything Short of Murder” now joins “A Murder Amongst Angels” and “Murder is Such Sweet Revenge” on Amazon’s Kindle at new, low prices. Now you can have hours of adventure, thrills, mystery, and romance for the price of a cup of coffee- and just as stimulating! Look for it on Amazon. Print versions have also been reduced.

CofD

ASofM

Also: The new Tom Logan mystery thriller, A Murder Amongst Angels . 

Find them all on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and wherever fine books are sold. Also available at an affordable price on Kindle.

 

amongstangelsfront cover 3

Filed Under: Film and Television Tagged With: ABC television series, Bradbury Building, Carl Kolchak, Dan Curtis, Dark Shadows, Darren McGavin, ghouls, Monsters, Seattle, Seattle underground tour, Simon Oakland, The Night Stalker, The Night Strangler, vampires

A Writer's Journey: From Stargazer to Chronicler and Back . By Tony Piazza

September 18, 2012 By tonypiazza 2 Comments

A Writer’s Journey: From Stargazer to Chronicler and Back.

 

By Tony Piazza

 

The San Francisco bay area has played host to a number of motion picture and television production companies over the years. Why? A cinematographer once told me that San Francisco with its numerous hills and magnificent views of the bay made it the second most photographed city in the world, with Rome being awarded the first. I would like to add being a former citizen, both born and raised there, that San Francisco, with its Barbary Coast history, dark foreboding alleys, and fog shrouded streets was chosen by production companies because it provided the perfect backdrop for their films dealing in crime, detection, and mystery. A few motion pictures that come to mind is D.O.A, Dark Passage, The Lady from Shanghai, The House on Telegraph Hill, and most notably The Maltese Falcon. Author Dashiell Hammett had his roots in the city, and even though Nick Charles’s first case for The Thin Man was in New York, its movie sequel landed the detective, wife Nora, and dog Asta with relatives in the bay area. Television also viewed San Francisco as a prime candidate for their crime series; San Francisco Beat a.k.a., The Lineup and Sam Benedict being two early examples.

 

 

I was extremely fortunate as a youth and young adult to share in this history. My father was a San Francisco police officer who was assigned back in 1959 to act as liaison to visiting film companies. He provided security, crowd and traffic control, technical advice- in essence anything that involved the logistics of assisting with their film production. He worked closely with directors searching out locations and with stunt coordinators orchestrating car chases.  This assignment gave my mother and I under the rope access to these productions and the unique opportunity to meet stars, directors, and technicians. He did this for seventeen years, and in the process made a name for himself. I eventually became directly involved in the 1970s, working as an extra, stand-in, and bit actor. Signed with the largest of the modeling/casting agents- the Brebner Agency, I was given opportunities to work on such shows as Magnum Force, The Streets of San Francisco, and The Enforcer, and becoming friends with the likes of Clint Eastwood, Karl Malden and Michael Douglas. It was quite a surreal experience for a man in his early twenties. When I sat in theaters, or watched television I saw myself up on the screen opposite these great ones. Even today, when I sit down and pop a DVD of Streets into my player I’m not just watching a show, but reliving memories. It’s like viewing home movies.

 

   My first recollection of being on a film location was in the late fifties. I was taken by my mother to Candlestick Park to visit my dad on the set of Experiment in Terror. The film starred Glenn Ford, Lee Remick, and Ross Martin. Somehow during our visit we ended up being an extra in the audience at the ballpark under the direction of Blake Edwards. What a thrill, but I didn’t really understand that then. As an inquisitive four year old I was just confused why we were cheering for a ball team that wasn’t there.

   As time passed however I did become more cognizant of events around me, and totally appreciative of the opportunities that my dad’s associations brought me. I got to meet my heartthrob Ann Margaret filming Once a Thief, visit with the very cool Steve McQueen at San Francisco General Hospital on location for Bullitt, joke around with Raymond Burr and the cast of Ironside, and nearly bought the car that Dirty Harry Callahan (Clint Eastwood) drove in the film of that same name. And although I was too young when the Master of Suspense, Alfred Hitchcock filmed Vertigo, I did see him later on the set of his last film, Family Plot.  Marching down the center aisle of Grace Cathedral on his way to his director chair, Hitch red faced, and huffing and puffing reminded me of an Archbishop on his way to conduct mass. Later, when I became part of the crew of The Streets of San Francisco (initially as a stand-in for Michael Douglas and then Richard Hatch) I was able to live out my childhood fantasies, by playing cops and robbers right up there on the screen. Not too many young men can say that.

 

 

For many years, I’d shared these stories to a select few- family, friends, and co-workers, and dusted off my photograph album occasionally for those who might be interested. But, as time went by and gray hairs started sprouting on my head I started thinking about leaving a legacy. With no children to relate my stories I was afraid that there wouldn’t be anyone left to pass on the unique history that my family was a part of. It was at that moment in my life and in this mindset that I discovered the Turner Classic Movie site, and was introduced to blogging. Presented here was a new venue to tell my stories to interested individuals- and fascinated they were. Quite frankly I was surprised by their response and amazed at the audience which I quickly developed. I had to shake my head, and tell myself that I really had fans, and not just of local friends, but members that stretched around the globe!

 

 

We’ve all heard the phrase, “be careful what you wish for,” that certainly applied here, for now I was expected by my audience to supply regular postings. To fill in-between the stories of my experiences- for ones’ memory can be limited at times, I decided to see how my audience would accept my attempts at writing fiction. My first book, “Anything Short of Murder”- a hardboiled detective thriller set in the Hollywood(land) of the 1930s was the result, and became an instant hit amongst the TCM audience. It was their e-mails and messages that convinced me to publish the story from its serialized form into a complete novel. Now some three books later- and working on a fourth, all this has become history. In addition, as a writer I’ve branched off to form my own author’s site where at last count I share some sixty-three posts of my film and television experiences. This year I also published a memoir in e-book length, “Bullitt Points,” the story of my meeting Steve McQueen and a personal account on the making of Bullitt. This experience brought me full circle, for all the proceeds from the purchase of the book goes to McQueen’s charity, The Boys Republic, and that allowed me to once again enter the celebrity circle and meet Steve’s son, Chad McQueen.

 Tony Piazza and Chad McQueen

A year later we met again, when I was invited to speak about Bullitt at its’ 45th Anniversary event in San Francisco.  Chad was the guest of honor- there to accept a proclamation from the city to honor his dad. In every aspect the celebration was a real thrill!

Chad-Piazza

Chad McQueen and Piazza

—————————-

Reflecting back over the last couple of years I find it amazing how much I’ve accomplished in my writing career. I don’t take credit for it. For what success I’ve had, had more to do with the blessed opportunities given me, and the blood, sweat, and long, tiring devotion that my dad had put into his work. I’m just a storyteller relating his own special tale. My only regret is that my dad couldn’t have been here to share in the joy that the telling and sharing of them has brought me.

Every writer has his or her story to tell. It’s a journey that doesn’t start with fingers on a keyboard, but with the first breath taken in life. Experiences to me as a writer are what bricks are to a mason. I use them to build stories that I hope will leave a lasting impression on my reader’s minds.

 

For more celebrity posts by Tony Piazza go to:

www.authortonypiazza.com

 

 

To help the boys at The Boy’s Republic, and read more about my experiences meeting Steve McQueen:

www.bullittpoints.com

 

 

About the author:

Tony Piazza is aCentralCoastmystery writer, film historian, presenter, and a veteran storyteller well-known for his passion about writing and movies.

He is the author of three mystery novels, “Anything Short of Murder”, “The Curse of the Crimson Dragon,” and “A Murder Amongst Angels”  available in print and e-book format through Amazon and Barnes & Noble websites. Piazza’s non-fiction e- book, “Bullitt Points,” published through SansTree, provides a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the classic Steve McQueen movie “Bullitt” and the involvement of the Piazza family in the production.

Piazza worked regularly as an extra and stand-in on multiple Hollywood movies and television shows shot in San Francisco during the 1970′s, including “Towering Inferno,” “High Anxiety,” “Magnum Force,” and “Streets of San Francisco.”

His inventory of stories reads like a Who’s Who of Hollywood from that era: Clint Eastwood, Steve McQueen, Darren McGavin, Paul Newman, Karl Malden, Michael Douglas, Raymond Burr, Walter Matthau, Fred Astaire, Robert Vaughn and Leslie Nielsen.

Piazza is a member of Sisters in Crime and SLO Nightwriters.

 amongstangelsfront cover

Filed Under: Film and Television Tagged With: Alfred Hitchcock, Ann Margaret, Anything Short of Murder, Author Tony Piazza, Blake Edwards, Bullitt, Bullitt Points, Chad McQueen, Clint Eastwood, D.O.A., Dark Passage, Darren McGavin, Dashiell Hammett, Dirty Harry, Experiment in Terror, Family Plot, Fred Astaire, Glenn Ford, High Anxiety, Ironside, Karl Malden, Lee Remick, Leslie Nielsen, Magnum Force, Michael Douglas, Nick Charles, Once a Thief, Paul Newman, Richard Hatch, Robert Vaughn, Ross Martin, Sam Benedict, San Francisco, San Francisco Beat, Steve McQueen, The Boys Republic, The Curse of the Crimson Dragon, The Enforcer, The House on Telegraph Hill, The Lady from Shanghai, The Lineup, The Maltese Falcon, The Streets of San Francisco, The Thin Man, The Towering Inferno, Tony Piazza, Vertigo, Walter Matthau

Witnessing an Incident Involving Darren McGavin by Tony Piazza

August 21, 2012 By tonypiazza Leave a Comment

WITNESSING AN INCIDENT INVOLVING DARREN MCGAVIN by Tony Piazza

 

DARREN McGAVIN. Veteran of television shows dating back to 1949. He appeared in programs such as; “Alfred Hitchcock presents”, “Mike Hammer”, “Riverboat”, “Rawhide”, “Route 66”, “Mission Impossible”, “The Man from U.N.C.L.E., and “Mannix.” His most notable roles were as Karl Kolchak in the television show and two movies, “Night Stalker”…a forerunner to the “X-Files” series, and as the old man- father of Ralphie in “A Christmas Story.” Here he is posing with me back in 1976 on the set of a Quinn Martin television movie about the 1950s Brink’s truck robbery- hence the dated clothes. I was standing in for STEPHEN COLLINS on that show and also acting as a bit player/ extra.

A bit of trivia; my good friend MICHEL HUGO was the director of photography on the first “Night Stalker” movie filmed in Las Vegas.

McGavin as Karl Kolchak.

In person Darren McGavin is much the character you’ve seen up on the screen. He rarely smiled, was extremely serious, and only spoke about work and delivered his lines. He was a loner. If you were to use a word to describe McGavin I would select “gruff.” Strangely enough because that was usually the characters he played, his real life persona didn’t disappoint me. It was as if I almost expected it of him.

McGavin as Mike Hammer.

One incident which involved him during the shooting comes to mind. It occurred in a run down hotel in the Tenderloin District of downtown San Francisco. Two young attractive blondes had appeared among the on-lookers in the lobby. McGavin was standing by the hotel desk, smoking a cigarette, and waiting for the camera crew to set up a shot, when suddenly and without warning these girls jump on either side of him and pose while a third person in their party snapped a shot. It happened in a fraction of a second, and McGavin let out a shout. An assistant director was instantly on top of it, catching the man and his camera, and deftly removing the film despite the man’s protestations. McGavin didn’t mind people taking pictures of, or with him, but the manner this was done put in question the picture taker’s intentions. Was this going to turn into some scandal sheet exclusive? You can imagine what they could have come up with for a headline. Lesson learned; personalities always have to be on guard.

———————————————–

NewAuthorPhoto2 4-12-13

Tony Piazza (Courtesy of Charlotte Alexander)

Tony Piazza is author of the 1930s Hollywood murder mystery novel, “Anything Short of Murder,” which had its roots on the TCM fan website. His second novel, “The Curse of the Crimson Dragon” was published next in early 2012, and in November of 2013 his second Tom Logan Mystery, “A Murder Amongst Angels was released.” In July of 2015 his latest Logan mystery, “Murder Is Such Sweet Revenge” was made available for purchase, and has since been an instant bestseller. All are available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble websites. He was an actor/extra during the 1970s and worked with such legends as Steve McQueen, Paul Newman, and Karl Malden.  His non-fiction e-book “Bullitt Points” is an in depth look at the making of “Bullitt” from a person who was there. Look for it on Amazon and Barnes and Noble websites,  or at the link posted below. All profits go to the Boys Republic charity: www.bullittpoints.com.

Tony Piazza is a member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and SLO NightWriters.

NEW!

The novels that started it all. The first and second novel in the Tom Logan mystery series have become audio books- read by actor James Romick, and is available on Audible, Amazon, and I-tunes.

11401368_1139753982708066_1713633751399547843_n

amaa

NEW!

MSSR Cover ad

The NEW Tom Logan mystery, “Murder is Such Sweet Revenge” is available in print, e-book, AND NOW audio book on Amazon and Barnes & Noble websites. For audio- Audible, Amazon, and I-tunes.

Also:

My earlier bestselling novels, “The Curse of the Crimson Dragon” and “Anything Short of Murder” now joins “A Murder Amongst Angels” and “Murder is Such Sweet Revenge” on Amazon’s Kindle at a new, low price of $2.99. Now you can have hours of adventure, thrills, mystery, and romance for the price of a cup of coffee- and just as stimulating! Look for it on Amazon. Print versions have also been reduced.

CofD

ASofM

Also: The new Tom Logan mystery thriller, A Murder Amongst Angels . 

Find them all on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and wherever fine books are sold. Also available for $2.99 on Kindle.

 

amongstangelsfront cover 3

 

Filed Under: Film and Television Tagged With: A Christmas Story, Alfred Hitchcock, Anything Short of Murder, Brink's truck robbery, Bullitt Points, Darren McGavin, Karl Kolchak, Mannix, Michel Hugo, Mike Hammer, Mission Impossible, Night Stalker, Quinn Martin, Rawhide, Riverboat, Route 66, Stephen Collins, The Curse of the Crimson Dragon, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., Tony Piazza, X-Files

Enlarge the Text

  • A  A  A  A  

Search by Actor, Movie or Topic

Recent Posts

  • (no title)
  • “A MURDER WELL-SCRIPTED” is Reminiscent of a Classic Old Hollywood Murder Mystery
  • “Murder in the Cards” is Now a Finalist for the 2020 RONE Awards!
  • “Murder in the Cards” Has Been Nominated for a RONE Award!
  • “Murder in the Cards” Has Won Two Awards for Excellence!

Archives

  • February 2023
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • October 2019
  • July 2019
  • April 2019
  • July 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • October 2017
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • October 2015
  • July 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012
  • May 2012

Tags

Alfred Hitchcock A Murder Amongst Angels Anything Short of Murder Author Tony Piazza Bullitt Bullitt Points Chad McQueen Clint Eastwood Dave Congalton Dirty Harry Downtown Los Angeles Family Plot Glenn Ford hard-boiled detective Hollywood Ian Fleming Ironside James Bond James Romick Karl Malden Los Angeles film locations Magnum Force Michael Douglas Michel Hugo Mission Impossible Murder is Such Sweet Revenge mystery noir Paul Newman Quinn Martin Raymond Burr Robert Vaughn San Francisco Sisters in Crime Star Trek Steve McQueen The Boys Republic The Curse of the Crimson Dragon The Streets of San Francisco The Thin Man The Towering Inferno Tom Logan Tom Logan Mystery Tony Piazza Walt Disney

Copyright © 2023 · Tony Piazza · WordPress · Log in