Cirrus@Austlit

An adult drama set in an inner-city crisis centre and police station, Wildside focuses on a group of people who deal with the endless array of problems, crimes, and triumphs that tumble onto the streets of a city bursting with life. In addition to the police, other characters include those who work in a crisis centre in the tough red-light district of the city.

During World War II, an American Marine, Rebel, is recuperating in Australia from wounds suffered in battle. He is weary of war and intent on going absent without leave. After meeting local singer Kathy, he becomes infatuated and pursues her. But Kathy is married and initially uninterested in Rebel. This begins to changes, however, when he hides out at her place, and intensifies when she receives a letter advising her that her husband has been killed in battle. Meanwhile, the local police and the U.S. military are searching for Rebel. He arranges to escape Australia by cargo ship, but eventually allows himself to be arrested in order to save Kathy from being arrested for harbouring him.

Set in the Depression, the story follows the bitter struggle between two sisters over the custody of their orphaned nephew. Each determined to have the boy, both women resort to deceitful manipulation and cruel lies.