'Ryan is involved in a war between two rival mobs when a beautiful woman, the daughter of a gangster, is kidnapped.
'Knight is the leader of one of the mobs involved. Down through years of organising coercion, bribery and standover tactics, the one clean thing in his life is his love for his daughter, Barbara. The great thorn in his side is that she married Lewis, who claims he loves her, but is sinking towards alcoholism, freely spending the money that flows from Knight's rackets, and envious of the power that his father-in-law commands.
'Barbara is abducted and Knight believes that the man responsible is Hackman, a rival gang leader who is out to take over the Knight "empire".
'As Knight cannot go to the police, he forces Ryan to help him find his daughter. Ryan weaves through the world of petty criminals, hatchet men, and racecourse hangers on, always in danger, and at one point nearly blown to pieces.
'Knight's wrath knows no bounds when he finds out that Lewis and Hackman have joined forces to destroy him, and that Barbara's life has been placed in jeopardy as a result. During a shoot-out in a quarry where Barbara is being held, Knight deliberately kills the son-in-law he has always despised and now hates. Even a charge of murder is not too great to preserve the welfare of the daughter he loves.'
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):
'KNIGHT: Early fifties. Controlling figure of the underworld. Huge, neat man with an aura of ruthlessness that is usually polished. But sometimes we see evidence of his cheap crim background. He must be a powerful, dominating figure. Devoted to his daughter.
'BARBARA: Lovely girl, middle twenties. Knight's daughter, Lewis' wife. Living in the corruption of the underworld hasn't spoiled her. Considerable strength of character and sensitivity. Devoted to her father - "Love is blind". Should be able to ride a horse.
'FRANK: Middle forties. Knight's prize bodyguard. Advisor cum friend. He is a graduate killer. His whole attitude should be one of menace. He has been with Knight "from the beginning" and is genuinely devoted. A superb marksman, a cool professional.
'LEWIS: 35 (approx). Alcoholic. Barbara's husband. Clever, scheming, he relishes the money and power which Knight's influence brings. Greedy - it leads to his eventual downfall. He married only to "bludge" and his plan is to remain in a happily drunken, affluent state for the remainder of his life.
'MURRAY: About thirty. Another of Knight's bodyguards. Looks tough - no lines.
'HARRY: Middle forties. Knight's chaffeur cum bodyguard ... Apparently devoted to Knight, but patiently awaiting Knight's downfall. He's tired of being a "foot-stool" Must drive. [sic]
'ALEX HACKMAN: Middle forties. Knight's competition. More "basic" than Knight, lacking his polish. He's a true gang "boss". Joined with Lewis to destroy Knight - then take over his organisation. Must drive. Some knowledge of archery might help.
'STARKEY: Thirtyish. Hackman's bodyguard - overly eager but no real match for Ryan.
'MAX: One of Hackmen's men. Hard, tough, powerful. No lines. Is killed.
'HUNT: Another of Hackman's men. Again tough, powerful looking. Kidnaps Barbara. No nonsense type.
'BARNEY: 50ish. Ex-crim. Hates Ryan. An ex-boxer and looks it - tends to Knight's horses at training track.
'HOLLAND: 40's. Also in Knight's employ to tend his horses. Some polish. Appears to co-operate with Ryan but he's a good liar.
'RAY: One of Knight's men. Really under Lewis' control. Looks tough. Must drive.
'TAXI DRIVER: Actual.
'SAM: Bodyguard. One scene only.'
