AustLit

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

'RON SLATER: 45 years old; English or Australian. There is something bizarre, pathetic and at the same time frightening about this little man. He looks quite indifferent, but is driven by a deep-seated inferiority complex. He is very intense, speaks in a low, clipped voice, and moves briskly and purposefully. He is not insane, though his obsessive hatred of foreigners borders on insanity. However, his manner must appear normal. Drives.

'JACK BRADLEY: 18 years old. His father is an alcoholic and wife-basher. Bradley, rather weak, lonely and simple, has not made friends with youngsters of his own age. He felt he was a misfit - until he joined the White Progressive Party. He admires Slater greatly He [sic] gives leadership, and he does not drink. Bradley is the dupe who will unquestioningly do what he is told. There is an unspoken homosexual quality about his admiration for Slater.

'EMMANUEL CZOSKI (PRONOUNCE CHOSKY) Polish. Fifty-five. Speaks English well. A successful businessman, thanks to a good head and very hard work. He is an arrogant man, has no talent to assimilate. Drives

'ANNA CZOSKI: His daughter. In her early twenties. Good-looking and intelligent. Born in Australia. Has a good deal of courage and pride. (no accent) Drives. [sic]

'MRS SLATER: A sweet, homely little woman, fond of flowers and pretty things. Her marriage to Slater was a disaster, but she has got over it. She has turned off the past and now lives in her own small world.

'BERYL KING: Slater's landlady. About fifty. Widowed or divorced, rough and matter-of-fact. Likes the boys, horse-racing and drink, but manages to lead a reasonably respectable life.

'FINCH: Late thirties. Australian or English. Storeman at quarry.

'HENDRICKS: Explosive expert. Matter-of-fact. Australian.

'UNIFORMED POLICE 2 extras.'