The Evil Touch
An Australian anthology series with twist endings and international guest stars.
The Evil Touch is an Australian television anthology series that originally aired in Australia in 1973. Produced by Amalgamated Pictures Australasia in association with Olola Productions Australia, it featured self-contained thriller or horror stories, often with twist endings, and explored themes such as the occult, science fiction, murder schemes, and whodunits. The series is notable for being produced entirely in color and on film during a time when Australian television was still in black and white, a move intended to enhance its international appeal.
- type
- Television series
- country
- Australia
- genre
- Anthology, thriller, horror
- producer
- Mende Brown
- network
- Nine Network
- episodes
- 26
- host
- Anthony Quayle
Lore & Background
The Evil Touch was produced by American producer Mende Brown and partly funded by the Nine Network. A key feature was the involvement of internationally known actors, some of whom were lured to Australia to participate by also being allowed to direct an episode. Supporting roles were portrayed by Australian actors. Each episode was introduced by Anthony Quayle, who appeared in a darkened studio surrounded by unearthly golden smoke imagery, frequently reminding viewers that 'there is a touch of evil in all of us' and ending each instalment by wishing viewers 'pleasant dreams'.
Reader's Guide
The Evil Touch holds significance as an early Australian attempt to produce a genre anthology series with international appeal, leveraging color film production and name actors from overseas. The series featured a rotating cast of guest stars, including Mildred Natwick, Julie Harris, Leslie Nielsen, Darren McGavin, Vic Morrow, Ray Walston, Robert Lansing, Kim Hunter, Carol Lynley, and Harry Guardino, many of whom appeared in multiple episodes as different characters. Morrow and McGavin each directed one of the episodes they acted in. The series was initially screened in Australia by the Nine Network in a prime time slot, and later aired in first-run syndication and re-runs on TV Land in the US and ITV in the UK, with later airings in the 1990s on Bravo. In Australia, it was repeated in a late-night slot several times up until the mid-1980s. Filmink magazine called it 'pure Rick Dalton territory', referencing its blend of Hollywood guest stars and Australian production.
Did You Know?
- The series was produced entirely in color and on film, despite Australian television being in black and white in 1973.
- Each episode was introduced by Anthony Quayle, who appeared in a darkened studio surrounded by unearthly golden smoke imagery.
- Several internationally known actors, including Leslie Nielsen, Julie Harris, and Darren McGavin, appeared in multiple episodes as different characters.
- The series was partly funded by the Nine Network and produced by American producer Mende Brown.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Evil Touch?
The Evil Touch is a 1973 Australian anthology television series in which each episode tells a standalone thriller or horror story, often capped off with a surprising twist. The 26-episode run covered genres ranging from science fiction and occult tales to murder mysteries and whodunits.
Where did The Evil Touch air and who was behind its production?
The series was broadcast on Australia's Nine Network and produced by Mende Brown through Amalgamated Pictures Australasia in a partnership with Olola Productions Australia. It was a fully Australian-made project despite its international casting.
Why was The Evil Touch considered visually ahead of its time for Australian TV?
The entire series was filmed in color and on actual film stock, a deliberate choice because much of domestic Australian television in the early 1970s was still being captured in black and white. This production standard was specifically aimed at making the show more attractive to overseas distributors.
What kinds of stories and themes do fans associate with The Evil Touch?
Episodes typically centered on thriller plots, horror scenarios, intricate murder schemes, and classic whodunit structures, with the occult and speculative science fiction appearing as recurring subject matter. A defining trait of the format was the frequent use of an unexpected twist to close out each self-contained narrative.
Did The Evil Touch feature any standout guest performers?
The series cast international guest stars in its individual episodes, giving it a production sheen that set it apart from typical local Australian programming of the era. This global talent pool was part of the show's strategy to appeal to both domestic and foreign audiences.
More in Australian science fiction television series 1-24
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