'An investigation into the death of an old friend has Ryan moving in two different worlds. He follows his leads from the depths of derelict humanity to the glitter of high society.'
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):
'HORACE CHAPMAN: A reformed criminal with a history of crime and drunkenness of which he is now ashamed. He is a big, once powerful man now showing his 70 years. He moves slowly, talks slowly and, at times, seems vague. After coming out of jail at the age of 55 his wife's devotion to him in spite of his many trips to jail made him resolve to go straight.
'ELSIE CHAPMAN: Horace's wife, about 65-70, small, work-worn, weary but happy in the work she does with her husband. She feels that Horace has found his way at last and that his work at the mission is wiping out the iniquities of his past.
'TREVOR ARMSTRONG: Tall good-looking Englishman, about 35. A plausible con-man, he has made good with the Toorak set and extracts large sums of money from them, ostensibly to help the mission. Ostensibly dedicated to helping his fellow man, he is in fact helping himself. A polished, vivid personality. Must drive.
'DONALD ANDERSON: Mid-50's. A solicitor. Well educated Australian accent. Conservative dresser.
'MRS. FELICITY CLARKE: About 30. A beautiful, shapely young widow who falls for Armstrong's line. Well educated, well dressed, drives a late model luxury sports car. Should look good in a bikini.
'JACK BAKER: Tough, rough, about 25-30, working the racket with Armstrong. Must be able to drive and fight.
'MINISTER: No lines.
'ALF CLARRIE: Deadbeat, 30-50, disreputable. Couple of lines.
'BILLIARD SALOON OWNER - About 50 / CAB DRIVER - About 40 / PROSTITUTE - About 30: These three characters appear in a brief montage sequence, each speaking to Tony. But the sequence is covered by music, so none of their lines will be heard.
'UNIFORMED POLICE SERGEANT: About 40, solid type, few lines. One scene.
'UNIFORMED POLICE CONSTABLE: One scene, no lines.
'A GARDENER: About 50-60. Two lines.
'10 DEADBEATS: Varying ages. To appear in three mission scenes.
'6 SOCIETY LADIES: From the Toorak set. Ages 30-60. Appear in one scene.'