AustLit

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

'HENRY JOHN TYLER: 28-30. The murderer. A psychopath-sadist. Tyler is handsome, well-spoken and plausible. He was educated at an English Public School and he is of average intelligence, and while he can be charming and witty, people do not seek his company. He has committed numerous petty crimes, such as stealing cars when it suited him and forging cheques and has masqueraded as people in different walks of life.

'When first seen he is full-bearded - later on clean-shaven. Driver.

'LINDA TYLER 25-28. Tyler's ex-wife - Divorced him because of his ineptness as a man and his propensity for petty crime. She is attractive, intelligent and strong-minded, and she knows Tyler's weaknesses well enough to be able to use them to prevent his killing her.

'KIM RIDLEY 25. An attractive model, recently returned from a couple of years in Europe. Wealthy, she really only models for cigarette money, but still likes to be successful. She knows Tyler from a couple of earlier modelling assignments. When she knowingly becomes aware of a dangerous fact about him he tries to kill her.

'DEIDRE 23-28. An attractive young married out [sic] on the loose after a serious argument with her husband. Driver.

'JACKIE 30-35. An ex-model who is running a model agency with much vim and gusto.

'SIMONE BOUCHÉ A mature French lady who manages the Chapeau Noir Restaurant. She wears lots of jewellery, dresses well, exudes sympathy, understanding and a love of life.

[Note: the accent above the 'e' has been added by hand, perhaps on this copy of the script but more likely on the master script from which this one was copied.]

'MR. HARTLEY Middle forties. An ex-Petty Officer, R.A.N., now the manager of a motel. He is deceived by Tyler's deceptions when passing himself off as a naval officer.

'MRS. HARTLEY Middle forties. Hartley's wife and co-manager of the motel. She is slightly disapproving of Tyler.

'JANE MORTON 22-24. The first victim. She is discovered in bed, waking from a drunken sleep. Her expression changes to one of terror when she appreciates her predicament.

'FORENSIC MAN Helps examine the motel room with the D's. A couple of lines.

'BOY A school-boy to whom Tyler gives a letter.

'MAN BY PHONE BOX A man who waits patiently outside a phone box while Tyler talks to the police. Should look very different to Tyler.

'MAN IN CAR Driver.

'POLICE PHOTOGRAPHER Using a movie camera while Tyler shows the D's how he killed Deidre.

'AN ATTRACTIVE MODEL No dialogue.'