"The Evil Touch" was an anthology horror, science fiction and mystery series hosted by Anthony Quayle between 1973-74.."The Evil Touch" was an anthology horror, science fiction and mystery series hosted by Anthony Quayle between 1973-74.."The Evil Touch" was an anthology horror, science fiction and mystery series hosted by Anthony Quayle between 1973-74..
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As with the other contributors, I have happy memories of watching this excellent TV drama which regularly included elements of sci fi, horror and supernatural goings-on.
It was stylish entertainment and having recently seen a couple of episodes again for the first time since the 70s, I'm pleased to say that it's lost nothing over the years which speaks volumes about its original quality.
Just one small point ...I think you'll find that it was, in fact, an American production possibly made for (or by) the NBC Network (I may be wrong and I'd be more than happy to stand corrected). Certainly, it was shot in Sydney and featured local actors in support roles. As other contributors have correctly noted, however, virtually every episode starred an imported Hollywood lead actor and the largely Australian production crew worked under the supervision of American director Mende Brown. It could, and perhaps SHOULD, be more accurately described as an American /Australian co-production.
Anyway, the final product was a highly watchable example of 70s television. Unfortunately, and sadly, it sank like a stone and disappeared quickly from the small screen. Perhaps the show's sheer sophistication may have priced it out of the mass market? Perhaps it arrived on the scene a fraction of a moment too late at a time when other quality series such as "Columbo" and "The Nightstalker" had already been given a head start ?
"The Evil Touch" deserved to succeed but fate intervened.
It was stylish entertainment and having recently seen a couple of episodes again for the first time since the 70s, I'm pleased to say that it's lost nothing over the years which speaks volumes about its original quality.
Just one small point ...I think you'll find that it was, in fact, an American production possibly made for (or by) the NBC Network (I may be wrong and I'd be more than happy to stand corrected). Certainly, it was shot in Sydney and featured local actors in support roles. As other contributors have correctly noted, however, virtually every episode starred an imported Hollywood lead actor and the largely Australian production crew worked under the supervision of American director Mende Brown. It could, and perhaps SHOULD, be more accurately described as an American /Australian co-production.
Anyway, the final product was a highly watchable example of 70s television. Unfortunately, and sadly, it sank like a stone and disappeared quickly from the small screen. Perhaps the show's sheer sophistication may have priced it out of the mass market? Perhaps it arrived on the scene a fraction of a moment too late at a time when other quality series such as "Columbo" and "The Nightstalker" had already been given a head start ?
"The Evil Touch" deserved to succeed but fate intervened.
Not too many people remember this show. It was obviously canceled after one season for reasons unknown. Perhaps no one was watching the show, or perhaps all of America preferred to watch redundant Top-10-Ratings pap such as "ADAM'S RIB", "THE HELEN REDDY SHOW" or "KOJAK".
Whatever the case may be, this show definitely set the format for half hour shows that present stories with "the evil touch". This was an Australian production with British actor Anthony Quayle hosting the show. The opening titles are timeless in their own right. Smoke wafts over the white letters that read "THE EVIL TOUCH" against a dark green background while the sound track provides a soft melody of bongos and pan flutes. This show is SO 70's, it's awesome!
Some of the episodes would feature guest actors. I remember one episode featuring Carol Lynley and Leslie Nielson. Another episode featured Darren McGavin. The premise was very similar to shows of today's standards such as NIGHT VISIONS and TALES FROM THE CRYPT. It used the format of a story told in 30 minutes that had some unusual twist to it, usually resulting in either death or supernatural circumstances.
Surprisingly, not too many television shows from the land Down Under have made it successfully abroad in the U.S. A few shows that have received cult following would be "PRISONER" and "SKIPPY". It's too bad that retro TV stations like TV-Land don't re-run this for old time's sake instead of repeating the same HOGAN'S HEROES episodes over and over.
If anyone sees this show on their TV Guide - please let me know!
Whatever the case may be, this show definitely set the format for half hour shows that present stories with "the evil touch". This was an Australian production with British actor Anthony Quayle hosting the show. The opening titles are timeless in their own right. Smoke wafts over the white letters that read "THE EVIL TOUCH" against a dark green background while the sound track provides a soft melody of bongos and pan flutes. This show is SO 70's, it's awesome!
Some of the episodes would feature guest actors. I remember one episode featuring Carol Lynley and Leslie Nielson. Another episode featured Darren McGavin. The premise was very similar to shows of today's standards such as NIGHT VISIONS and TALES FROM THE CRYPT. It used the format of a story told in 30 minutes that had some unusual twist to it, usually resulting in either death or supernatural circumstances.
Surprisingly, not too many television shows from the land Down Under have made it successfully abroad in the U.S. A few shows that have received cult following would be "PRISONER" and "SKIPPY". It's too bad that retro TV stations like TV-Land don't re-run this for old time's sake instead of repeating the same HOGAN'S HEROES episodes over and over.
If anyone sees this show on their TV Guide - please let me know!
10TeenVamp
I would just like fans of the obscure show to know that 22 of the episodes are on youtube right now! So watch them while you still have the chance. Yes the quality is rough but that's the only way to see them.
I would just like fans of the obscure show to know that 22 of the episodes are on youtube right now! So watch them while you still have the chance. Yes the quality is rough but that's the only way to see them.
I would just like fans of the obscure show to know that 22 of the episodes are on youtube right now! So watch them while you still have the chance. Yes the quality is rough but that's the only way to see them.
I would just like fans of the obscure show to know that 22 of the episodes are on youtube right now! So watch them while you still have the chance. Yes the quality is rough but that's the only way to see them.
I would just like fans of the obscure show to know that 22 of the episodes are on youtube right now! So watch them while you still have the chance. Yes the quality is rough but that's the only way to see them.
Man, this show gave me the creeps when I was a kid but it's been over 30 years since seeing it and it's hard to remember now.
I was a huge fan of 'Night Stalker', 'Night Gallery', 'Dark Shadows' and 'Ghost Story' as well a made for TV movie at that time called 'Don't Be Afriad of the Dark'. 'Night Stalker' is getting on DVD now and I even got a DVD copy of the made for TV movie. Don't know if 'Ghost Story' is on DVD anywhere.
I seem to remember an episode where there were this guy driving on a lonely highway that kept seeing these three zombies that would appear out of nowhere, on the road, or if he stopped for gas. Does anyone remember this episode and more of what it was about? The premise to the story?
Also, anyone hear anything about getting the episodes on even VHS? I'll take what I can get!
D-rock Austin, TX
I was a huge fan of 'Night Stalker', 'Night Gallery', 'Dark Shadows' and 'Ghost Story' as well a made for TV movie at that time called 'Don't Be Afriad of the Dark'. 'Night Stalker' is getting on DVD now and I even got a DVD copy of the made for TV movie. Don't know if 'Ghost Story' is on DVD anywhere.
I seem to remember an episode where there were this guy driving on a lonely highway that kept seeing these three zombies that would appear out of nowhere, on the road, or if he stopped for gas. Does anyone remember this episode and more of what it was about? The premise to the story?
Also, anyone hear anything about getting the episodes on even VHS? I'll take what I can get!
D-rock Austin, TX
The evil touch was a good tv show,corny,but good. I was once an extra in one of the episodes with Carol Lynley and Sandy Harbutt.It would be great to see it back on tv again.foxtell would be a way to see it.is there anybody else who would like to see it.Email foxtell and request it.
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- ConnectionsFeatured in The Professor's Scary Movie Show: House on Haunted Hill (2015)
- How many seasons does The Evil Touch have?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Runtime
- 30m
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.33 : 1
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