AustLit

'Two apparently unrelated cases, one involving blackmail and the other murder, draw Ryan into everything from domestic drama to trouble with the police.

'The first case seems straightforward enough: Mrs. Davis, a convention hostess, has been photographed in compromising situations with a man during a weekend at Mount Kosciosko. Though she confesses to her husband, the blackmail note contains a threat to send some of the photos to her business associates, who might not be so understanding.

'The second case has come to court when we first meet the people involved: Phillip Jackson is being tried for fraud for evidence largely supplied by Ryan, who is sure that Jackson also killed his partner. The private investigator's unconventional methods may well prove this whereas the police cannot.

'Ryan attempts to get the incriminating negatives for Mrs. Davis, but is framed for safe breaking. This brings Ryan into conflict with the police.

'The robbery set-up does prove that the two cases are linked together: the safe involved was full of Jackson's papers and Ryan discovers that Mrs. Davis has been used by Jackson, who has promised her that if she helps him beat the murder charge, he will take her away from the dull boredom of life with her husband. But the Davises know too much about Jackson now, and he threatens to kill them. Ryan manages to clear himself of the robbery charge and enlist the aid of the police in catching Jackson and saving the lives of Davis and his wife, enabling them to give their marriage another chance.'

Source: Synopsis held in the Crawford Collection in the AFI Research Collection (RMIT).

The script held in the Crawford Collection in the AFI Research Collection contains the following character notes (excluding regular characters):

'SUSAN DAVIS: 30ish. Very attractive, intelligent. Has a veneer of poise and sophistication acquired during the performance of her job as a P.R. Organiser cum hostess at International Trade Conventions. After two years of happy marriage she became swept up in the whirl of cocktails and conferences. She does not hate her husband. He has become just another part of the dull, quiet times between the more exciting interludes of her work. She is totally "in love" with Jackson. Her performance as the blackmail "victim" is made is easier because her confession to her husband is, for her, almost a true statement of her feelings.

'STAN DAVIS: Early forties. A pleasant, successful, professional man. Tends more to pipe and slippers than the gay life, although he is not as dull and set in his ways as his wife believes. He loves Sue very deeply, understands the situation in which she has found herself. A quiet, compassionate man fighting to save his marriage.

'PHILIP JACKSON: Mid 30's. Attractive to women, successful in business and capable of great charm. To those who meet him in everyday life this description is entirely accurate. To the very few people who really know him (And Susan Davis didn't) Jackson is ruthless, cold blooded, calculating. A man who has killed for gain once and who will not hesitate to do so again, if and when it becomes necessary. He found Susan Davis a pleasant sexually satisfying companion he would [sic] inevitably be tired of her but maintains their liason [sic] as a means to ruining Ryan.

'EDWARD COLE: 35, an employee of Jackson, well paid because he knows about and actively participates in Jackson's illegal activities. He speaks with an insinuating "Pommie" accent. Basically a bully and a coward he enjoys seeing Ryan's discomfort but runs when the going gets really tough.

'BERNIE LYNCH: 45-50 Small of Stature. A Jewish criminal who acts rather like a Theatrical Agent. Booking criminals for various jobs and taking his ten percent.

'HARRY CHAPMAN: 28. A likeable, unpretentious criminal. He specialises in Photography - Porno - Blackmail - to him it's all the same - if other people pay for his services who is he to argue or concern himself with their motives.

'PETER ANDREWS: Late twenties. - Good looking, fancies himself as an actor. Never had a regular job in his life, he is just as much at home starring in a blue movie as he is robbing an old age pensioner or giving false evidence.

'THUG: (HARRY) Jackson's - Chauffeur - Body Guard - Man Friday. Not a very large man. He has an almost immobile face. He would probably have the same expression when cleaning shoes as he would when beating up someone.

'THUG TWO:

'BARRISTER: Small part.

'BARMAN: No lines.

'UNIFORMED POLICEMAN:

'SECURITY MAN:

'TWO MOBILE POLICEMAN [sic]'.