Two investigative reporters for a tabloid magazine track down a serial killer who travels by private plane stalking victims in rural airports.

I have such fond memories of this film.

This was one of those films that I saw at a friends house after we kept looking at the VHS cover, it was both intimidating and yet it peaked our curiosity. The fact that Stephen King’s name was attached was enough to strike fear in any child during that time.

Things like that stay with you, I know it has for me anyway, so when I rewatch it I remember that moment. I also remember that for years I was convinced that leading lady Julie Entwisle was actually Phoebe Cates, They do bare a striking resembelence to each other.

Actor Miguel Ferrer appeared in a lot of projects in his career but it’s always this film (and “RoboCop”) that pops in my head when his name is mentiopned. Director Mark Pavia’s weaves an interesting story, the fact he did it on a budget of $1million is an achievement in itself.

A script for a direct sequel was written by King and Pavia called “Fear Of Flying”, which would follow Katherine’s further investigation into the ‘Night Flier’s origins, Unfortunately they couldn’t get funding so it never happened. Shame really, I would’ve liked to have seen it.

“The Night Flier” is a fun slice of the 90’s. It’s atmospheric, it’s moody, it’s entertaining, it’s also a perfect film to watch on a dark, stormy night. If you haven’t seen this one or havent watched it in a long time then I urge you to rectify that.

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If you want to see “The Night Flier” trailer then just click on the video below:

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Miscellaneous facts about the film:

In the scene where Katherine is looking at all of Richard’s bylines, the framed copies of “Inside View” contain many references to other stories by Stephen King: “Springhill Jack Strikes Again!” (Strawberry Spring), “Headless Lamaze Leads To Successful Birth!” (The Breathing Method), “Kiddie Cultists in Kansas Worship Creepy Voodoo God!” (Children of the Corn), “Satanic Shopkeeper Sells Gory Goodies!” (Needful Things), “Naked Demons Levelled My Lawn!” (The Lawnmower Man) and “The Ultimate Killer Diet! Gypsy Curse Flays Fat Lawyer’s Flesh” (Thinner).

Richard Dees, the main character, was also the reporter who tried to get an interview with John Smith in the Stephen King novel “The Dead Zone”.

Many of the murder photos in the press office are real, including the one of the horribly mutilated prostitute. They were taken from the photo album of a homicide detective who worked in LA from the 1930s to the 1950s, which would later be published under the title “Death Scenes”.

Director Mark Pavia had only thirty days to shoot this film and actually brought the movie in a day early.

Though shot for a theatrical release, it premiered on HBO three months before its eventual theatrical run.

While talking in the bar, Richard tells Catherine stories, mentioning a school teacher who murders five year old kids because she thinks they’re plotting to kill her. This is the plot of a story from the Stephen King short story collection “Nightmares and Dreamscapes”.

Director Mark Pavia wanted Stephen King to make a cameo appearance as a morgue director, but King was busy on a book tour and hence couldn’t work it into his schedule.

Main actor Miguel Ferrer also appeared in two other Stephen King adaptations: The Stand (1994) and The Shining (1997).

In an interview on The Rosie O’Donnell Show, Rosemary Clooney mentioned that her nephew George Clooney would be appearing in this film, alongside Miguel Ferrer, who is her son and the cousin of George Clooney. For unknown reasons, Clooney’s role in this movie never came to fruition.

The only theatrical Stephen King adaptation from the year 1997; The Shining (1997), Quicksilver Highway (1997) and Trucks (1997) were all made for television. However, it could be argued that The Night Flier also falls under that category, since it first saw the light of day in America on HBO in November 1997.

Julie Entwisle’s only other credit was a minor role in In & Out (1997), a movie which began filming a month after The Night Flier wrapped, and which was also first released in America during the fall of 1997.

Aaron Michael Lacey screen-tested for the role of the vampiric Cessna pilot, “The Night Flier.”