'The Werewolf' by Paul Playdon and David Chase

While the Independent News Service offices celebrate Christmas, Vincenzo looks forward to a working holiday on the historic ocean liner Hanover, covering its final voyage out of Los Angeles. However, Vincenzo is furious to learn that his vacation has been cancelled by INS executives, who are sending in a team of accountants to perform an audit. Seeing as Updyke gets seasick, Kolchak is sent on the cruise instead. The voyage gets underway, but Kolchak soon finds himself feeling out of place amongst the revellers on the ‘swinging singles’ cruise. That night, a crewman is murdered by wolf-like creature, but when Kolchak tries to investigate he finds that the crew will not give out any information, although he is able to learn that the ship is being returned to port. After more deaths occur amongst the crew and passengers Kolchak sees what he believes to be a werewolf, but the creature knocks him unconscious. Coming to in the infirmary, Kolchak overhears a conversation between Doctor Rose and a passenger named Bernhardt Stieglitz, who has been sent on rest leave from Billings Naval Hospital in Montana due to suffering from an unknown ailment, and is unable to sleep without narcotics. When Doctor Rose refuses to prescribe any drugs, Stieglitz leaves in anger - and Kolchak realises he is the werewolf. However, the reporter is then called to see Captain Wells, who threatens to clap him in irons after passing himself off as the captain’s son in order to glean information from the crew; Wells tells Kolchak to keep quiet about what he has seen, informing him that everything is now under control. Kolchak promises to stop his investigation, but then immediately decides to take matters into his own hands, and begins searching the ship for silver to make into bullets. Meanwhile, Stieglitz tries to use some drugs he has stolen, but they have no effect - he transforms into the werewolf and goes on the prowl once more…

Darren McGavin (Carl Kolchak), Simon Oakland (Tony Vincenzo), Jack Grinnage (Ron Updyke), Ruth Mc Devitt (Emily Cowles), Eric Braeden (Bernhardt Stieglitz), Nita Talbot (Paula Griffin), Lewin Charles (Levitt), Henry Jones (Captain Julian Wells), Dick Gautier (Mel Tarter), Barry Cahill (Doctor Alan Rose), Jackie Russell (Wendy), Bob Hastings (Hallem), Dort Clark (Gribbs), Heath Jobes (Radioman), Jim Hawkins (Jay Remy)
Directed by Allen Baron

TX (US): 1st November, 1974

Notes:
*Featuring Carl Kolchak and Tony Vincenzo