The Evil Touch
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| 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 Minutes |
| Broadcast | |
| Original channel | Nine Network |
| Original run | 19 June 1973 – 1974 |
The Evil Touch was an Australian-produced television series, originally broadcast in Australia in 1973. It was an anthology series and each episode had a self-contained story and a new set of characters, 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.
Contents |
[edit] Overview
The series was produced by U.S. 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".
[edit] Cast
Each episode featured a new setting and entirely new 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. Morrow and McGavin acted in two and three different episodes respectively, and each directed one of the episodes they acted in.
[edit] 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.
[edit] References
Moran, Albert. Moran's Guide to Australian TV Series, Allen & Unwin, 1993. ISBN 0-642-18462-3 p 166-7.
