Kolchak Logo 'Bad Medicine'
(a.k.a. 'The Diablero’)


by L. Ford Neale
and John Huff
Carl Kolchak

While relaxing at home, a wealthy member of the fashion industry is suddenly attacked by a vicious crow; the bird then transforms into a large Indian that kills her and steals her diamond collection. A rich society member is also killed, this time by a coyote, and her jewels are stolen. The police put the deaths down to suicide, but Kolchak is unconvinced, and, against Vincenzo’s wishes, begins investigating the deaths. After intercepting a police call for help at the Gem Exchange, Kolchak finds the police dealing with two dead security guards, the theft of a fortune in precious stones, and a killer coyote; the animal then transforms into a huge Indian man, who evades the police by jumping off of the roof and changing into the form of a crow. Kolchak carries out some research and learns that the Indian is a Diablaro - a spirit capable of placing its victims into a trance, and can transform into any animal it wishes. After learning of a multi-million-dollar diamond to be held at the Waverly Building, Kolchak rushes off to investigate. Meanwhile, the crow breaks into the sale, transforms into the Indian and then kills several security guards and bidders, before stealing a large amount of the jewels. Kolchak arrives and immediately begins taking photographs, but the camera flash frightens the Indian, who turns into a crow and flies off. The police arrive, and, finding Kolchak standing amidst the carnage, decide to arrest him for murder - leaving the Diablaro free to carry on its reign of terror…

Darren McGavin (Carl Kolchak), Simon Oakland (Tony Vincenzo), Jack Grinnage (Ron Updyke), Ruth Mc Devitt (Emily Cowles), Ramon Bieri (Captain Joe Baker), Alice Ghostley (Doctor Agnes Temple), Victor Jory (Charles Rolling Thunder), Richard Kiel (The Diablero), Marvin Kaplan (Albert Delgade), James Griffith (Schwartz), David Lewis (Auctioneer), Dennis McCarthy (Ballistics Engineer), Morris Buchanan (Guard), Keith Walker (Reporter), Madilyn Clark (Hostess)
Directed by Alexander Grasshoff

TX (US): 15th November, 1974

Notes:
*Featuring Carl Kolchak and Tony Vincenzo