The Evil Touch

The Evil Touch
Format	Anthology, Thriller
Created by	Mende Brown Productions
Starring	Various
Country of origin	Australia
No. of episodes	26
Production
Running time	30 mins.
Broadcast
Original channel	Nine Network
Original run	19 June 1973 – 9 June 1974

The Evil Touch is an Australian-produced television series, originally broadcast in Australia in 1973. It was an anthology series where each episode had a self-contained story and a new set of characters. Each episode feature a new cast of guest actors, although several guest stars appeared in more than one episode, playing different characters. Each story is a thriller or horror story of some variety, ranging from tales of the occult and the supernatural, science fiction horror stories, to more standard murder schemes and whodunits. Most stories feature a twist ending.

Overview

The series was produced by American producer Mende Brown and partly funded by the Nine Network. The show's key feature was an international cast - mostly US television actors - taking lead roles in episodes. They were lured to Australia to participate in the show by also being allowed to direct an episode. Supporting roles would be filled by Australian television stars. Although Australian television was still in black and white in 1973, to aid international marketability this series was shot entirely in colour, and on film.

Each episode was introduced by Anthony Quayle who appeared in a darkened studio surrounded by unearthly golden smoke imagery, frequently reminding viewers that there "was a touch of evil in all of us". He returned to provide the epilogue to each installment, always wishing viewers "pleasant dreams".

Cast

Each episode featured a new setting and characters and a different cast. Various US and Australian actors appeared in the series, including Leslie Nielsen, Vic Morrow, Darren McGavin, Julie Harris, Carol Lynley, Jack Thompson, Elaine Lee, John Morris, June Thody, Tony Bonner, Neva Carr Glyn, Janet Kingsbury, Mirren Lee, Reg Evans. Several actors appeared in multiple episodes as different characters. Morrow and McGavin acted in two and three different episodes respectively, playing different characters, and each directed one of the episodes they acted in.

Broadcasts

The series was initially screened in Australia by the Nine Network in a prime time slot. The series was also screened by NBC in the US. In Australia it was repeated in a late-night slot several times up until the mid 1980s.

List of episodes

• 1.The Lake
• 2.Heart to Heart
• 3.Dr. McDermitt's New Patients
• 4.The Obituary
• 5.Happy New Year, Aunt Carrie
• 6.A Game of Hearts
• 7.Seeing Is Believing
• 8.The Upper Hand
• 9.Murder Is for the Birds
• 10.Marcie
• 11.George
• 12.Scared to Death
• 13.The Homecoming
• 14.Dear Beloved Monster
• 15.Campaign 20
• 16.Faulkner's Choice
• 17.Dear Cora, I'm Going to Kill You
• 18.The Trial
• 19.The Fans
• 20.Kaidaitcha Country
• 21.Gornak's Prism
• 22.The Voyage
• 23.Death by Dreaming
• 24.Never Fool With a Gypsy Icon
• 25.They
• 26.Wings of Death

References

• Moran, Albert. Moran's Guide to Australian TV Series, Allen & Unwin, 1993. ISBN 0-642-18462-3 p 166-7.

External links

• The Evil Touch at the Internet Movie Database
• The Evil Touch at TV.com