shango7200
This series debuted in the USA on channel 4 NBC in 1973 on Sunday nights. It was an odd programming choice indeed; an imported "thriller" series in prime time--and a half hour one at that. The episode that remains the most horrifying the the Ray Walston "freaks" episode! I was a huge fan of "Night Gallery" at the time so this series eluded me for decades up until last month when I purchased a "bootleg" DVDR set of what seems to be the entire series. Not too many of the episodes were as scary as I remembered, however the low budget and overall "tone" of the series is creepy. The best episode that I did NOT remember is the one with Mildred Dunnock as a rich old lady who's nephew was trying to do her in to get her riches. The plot was incredibly far fetched --however there was a DOUBLE shock ending to the story and it was pretty original ( a psycho-killer was lurking about and it seemed like the nephew was trying to put her in harm's way and have the killer take care of her). Most of the episodes seem rushed and sloppy, but they did always try to give a shock ending when they could. The other episode that was above average was one with Darren McGavin as a heart specialist who's dead patient was out for revenge. Overall, it was one of those series that time has not been kind to, but, I treasure it for scaring me as a 10 year old in 1973!!
Christopher Moore
How I wish to see this show again. On DVD preferably. It has been years and years but I can still remember the theme, and Anthony Quayles haunting "there is a touch of evil in all of us". And didnt he always wish us pleasant dreams?The only complaint I had was that they were repeated over and over, but now my only complaint is that they are NOT repeated! IT'S TIME GUYS - DUST OFF THE TINS AND SHOW IT AGAIN.I can't get that music out of my head..........ps. then there was that parrot screaming "Murderer Murderer Murderer" It was like TwighlightZone+TalesOfTheUnexpected+NightGallery all rolled into one.*Sigh* If only I'd had a video.....
mcmacs
I too have fond memories of this show though I recall its budgetary limitations being obvious even by then-contemporary standards.The lake monster in DEAR BELOVED MONSTER looked like a briefly-glimpsed head of cabbage. But then so did the 'revelatory' 1970s photos from the underwater camera at Loch Ness.One interesting episode was A GAME OF HEARTS. Darren McGavin plays a heart surgeon who takes a heart from a not-quite-dead donor. He then starts getting chilling phone calls from the dead man. The final scenes have him fleeing through a deserted house with his undead tormentor in pursuit. It was shot in very NIGHT STALKERish style.... substitute the donor, with a black and bloody hole in his chest, with Barry Atwater and you're pretty much there. And the character's name? Gabor Skorzeny. The vampire's name in the NIGHT STALKER TV movie? Janos Skorzeny! Hmmmm..... well imitation is the sincerest form of flattery I guess.I would certainly endorse another look at THE EVIL TOUCH.
Aussie Stud
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!