Evil Touch, The

1 9 7 3 – 1 9 7 4 (Australia)
26 x 30 minute episodes

This Australian-produced thriller/horror anthology series comprised 26 self-contained sinister half-hour stories of ghosts, monsters, witchcraft and other supernatural wonders, usually with a twist ending.

Standout episodes included Campaign ’20 in which a presidential candidate in the 2020 (the far future at the time!) elections uses a time machine to go back to 1972 to try and prevent his political opponent from ever being born and They which featured a gang of children doing battle with an expert on over-population for control of his son.

As well as a veritable who’s-who of Aussie actors, many episodes featured a big international name to ensure sales overseas (particularly America) with guest stars including Darren McGavin, Leslie Nielsen, Ray Walston, Kim Hunter,  Robert Lansing and Noel Harrison.

The series was hosted by Anthony Quayle who appeared at the start and end of every episode, setting up the action, and then discussing how “there is a touch of evil in all of us,” at the closing.

Episodes

The Lake | Heart to Heart | Dr McDermitt’s New Patients | The Obituary | Happy New Year, Aunt Carrie | A Game of Hearts | Seeing Is Believing | The Upper Hand | Murder Is For The Birds | Marcie | George | Scared to Death | The Homecoming | Dear Beloved Monster | Campaign ’20 | Faulkner’s Choice | Dear Cora I’m Going to Kill You | The Trial | The Fans | Kadaitcha Country | Gornak’s Prism | The Voyage | Death by Dreaming | Never Fool with a Gypsy Icon | They | Wings of Death

Video