The Evil Touch

Did You Know?

• The series was initially screened in Australia by the Nine Network in a prime time slot.
• It was screened in first-run syndication and later re-ran on TV Land in the US and ITV in the UK.
• In Australia it was repeated in a late-night slot several times up until the mid-1980s.

Overview

American producer Mende Brown brought this anthology series to life with partial backing from the Nine Network. To attract well-known international talent to Australia, some were given the chance to direct an episode, while local actors filled the supporting roles. Despite Australian television still broadcasting in black and white during this period, the show was shot entirely in color on film to boost its global marketability. Each installment opened with Anthony Quayle in a dark studio, enveloped by eerie golden smoke, reminding audiences that "there is a touch of evil in all of us." He closed every episode by bidding viewers "pleasant dreams."

Cast

Each episode introduced a fresh setting and cast, with several well-known actors returning in different roles across multiple installments. Among them were Mildred Natwick, Julie Harris, Leslie Nielsen, Darren McGavin, Vic Morrow, Ray Walston, Robert Lansing, Kim Hunter, Carol Lynley, and Harry Guardino. Morrow and McGavin also directed one episode each in which they performed. Supporting roles featured a roster of Australian talent, including Jack Thompson, Elaine Lee, John Morris, June Thody, Tony Bonner, Neva Carr Glyn, Janet Kingsbury, Mirren Lee, Reg Evans, Peter Gwynne, Mark Lee, Carole Skinner, Briony Behets, Roger Ward, Rowena Wallace, Peter Sumner, John Meillon, and Wendy Playfair. Filmink magazine described the series as “pure Rick Dalton territory.”