The Space Museum/The Chase en route to DVD

Thursday, 29 October 2009 - Reported by Marcus

The BBFC have passed a trailer for two stories, The Space Museum and The Chase, indicating that both are being lined up for a DVD release in the next few months. The stories were part of Doctor Who's second season and were first shown between April and June 1965.

They feature William Hartnell as the first Doctor along with Jacqueline Hill as Barbara Wright, William Russell as Ian Chesterton and Maureen O'Brien as Vicki, and introduce Peter Purves as new companion Steven Taylor.

The Space Museum was written by Glyn Jones and directed by Mervyn Pinfield, who as Doctor Who's first Associate Producer was responsible for many technical innovations used on the programme.

The Chase was the final story for Ian and Barbara. It sees the Daleks return in their third story for the series, which was again written by Terry Nation. Directed by Richard Martin, it also starred Hywel Bennett. The original transmission included a clip of the Beatles performing "Ticket to Ride".

FILTER: - William Hartnell - Classic Series - Blu-ray/DVD

Classic Episodes Online

Friday, 9 October 2009 - Reported by Chuck Foster

As previously reported, Blinkbox, a free-to-use movie-on-demand service on the Internet, has struck a deal with BBC Worldwide to make a number of classic Doctor Who stories available to watch. The deal currently enables viewers to watch the William Hartnell stories The Sensorites and The Web Planet, and Patrick Troughton stories The Tomb of the Cybermen and The Krotons.

Watch the stories from their website.

(with thanks to Ade)

FILTER: - Online - William Hartnell - Classic Series

North America DVD News

Saturday, 5 July 2008 - Reported by Shaun Lyon

The TV Shows on DVD website has provided a preview of the latest announced DVDs for the North American market, both due in October: The Trial of a Time Lord Boxed Set, starring Colin Baker, Nicola Bryant and Bonnie Langford, and The Brain of Morbius starring Tom Baker and Elisabeth Sladen. The box covers for the North America (US/Canada) releases are below; click on each for a larger version. (A new version of the "Morbius" disc release has now been uploaded). The "Trial of a Time Lord" set (four discs) includes commentaries by C. Baker, Bryant, Tony Selby (Glitz), script editor Eric Saward, writers Pip & Jane Baker, director Chris Clough and others, as well as "Making Of" featurettes, deleted and extended scenes, interview features, trailers, news coverage and documentaries (and even the famous "Doctor in Distress" music video!) The "Morbius" disc includes commentaries by T. Baker, Sladen, Philip Madoc (Solon), director Christopher Barry and producer Philip Hinchcliffe, a short documentary, trailers and photos.

Meanwhile, here is the complete schedule for announced DVD releases in North America for the rest of the year (subject to change and addition, of course):

The Time Meddler (William Hartnell), August 5
Black Orchid (Peter Davison), August 5
The Five Doctors: 25th Anniversary Edition, August 5
The Invisible Enemy (Tom Baker), which also includes K9 and Company, September 2
The Invasion of Time (Tom Baker), September 2
Torchwood: The Complete Second Series, September 16
Torchwood: The Complete First Series - Blu-Ray Edition, September 16
The Brain of Morbius (Tom Baker), October 7
The Trial of a Time Lord Boxed Set (Colin Baker), October 7

Recent North America releases (in case you haven't picked them up) included "The Time Warrior" and "Timelash" in April, "Planet of Evil" and "Destiny of the Daleks" before that in March, and "Torchwood: The Complete First Series" back in January.
With thanks to the Doctor Who DVD FAQ.

FILTER: - USA - William Hartnell - Classic Series - Blu-ray/DVD

Hartnell On UK Stamp - Image

Friday, 6 June 2008 - Reported by DWNP Archive

Posted By John Bowman

Royal Mail has released an image of a forthcoming first-class stamp that prominently features William Hartnell.

A set of six stamps are being brought out in the UK on Tuesday, June 10 to mark the 50th anniversary of the Carry On series and the first Dracula movie by Hammer. They depict the posters for Carry On Sergeant (which starred Hartnell and was the first of the Carry On films), Carry On Cleo, Carry On Screaming, The Curse of Frankenstein, Dracula, and The Mummy.

Peter Cushing, who played the Doctor in the two Dalek films of the 1960s, was in the Hammer films that are featured, while Jon Pertwee was in Carry On Cleo and Carry On Screaming, although he is not mentioned on the relevant stamps.

Royal Mail is producing stamp cards, a presentation pack and a first-day cover to accompany the Classic Carry On and Hammer film stamp issue.

The presentation pack contains all six stamps and comment from cult-film critic and author Kim Newman, who wrote the Doctor Who novella Time and Relative.

See the Royal Mail website for more details.

FILTER: - People - William Hartnell

William Hartnell - One Hundred Years

Tuesday, 8 January 2008 - Reported by Paul Hayes

William Hartnell, the actor who originated the role of the Doctor in the 1960s, playing the first incarnation of the character for BBC Television from 1963 to 1966, was born exactly 100 years ago today. For many of the original Doctor Who fans who were children in the 1960s, he remains the definitive Doctor.

Emerging from a difficult family background about which he was later evasive, Hartnell held down a succession of short-term odd jobs before turning to acting in the 1920s.

He enjoyed success as a touring repertory actor, and in the 1930s began appearing in films, particularly the "quota quickies" companies were obliged to release to fulfil their obligations to promote British film. Here Hartnell developed his talents as a light comedy actor, but it was not until the Second World War that his reputation began to flourish.

After being invalided out of the army, he appeared as the sergeant in the well-received propaganda piece The Way Ahead, and this helped him to develop a reputation for such tough-guy roles that won him many major supporting parts. Of all the actors to have played the Doctor he had the most successful film career, with major roles in landmark films such as Brighton Rock, as the eponymous sergeant inCarry On Sergeant and, cast against type in a sensitive character part, in the film version of This Sporting Life.

It was this role that led producer Verity Lambert to offer him the part of the Doctor. Although Hartnell was initially uncertain about it, Lambert and director Waris Hussein persuaded him to accept the part, and it became the role for which he is best remembered, making him a household name in 1960s Britain.

Hartnell became incredibly attached to the role and particularly enjoyed the attention and affection it brought him from children, groups of whom would follow him around his local village. He would often happily open fetes and other functions in costume and character as the Doctor.

Although ill health forced him to reluctantly relinquish the part in 1966, he remained fond of the series and in 1972, with his health rapidly deteriorating even further, battled his failing memory to film one final performance as the character in the tenth anniversary special The Three Doctors, which aired between December 30, 1972 and January 20, 1973. It was his final professional performance; he died on April 23, 1975, aged 67.

In celebration of his centenary, the Plymouth Who fan group are holding an event to mark his life and work this coming Sunday, January 13 at The Astor Hotel in Plymouth. The event runs from 1pm to 5pm and features a screening of one of the most popular stories of Hartnell’s era, The War Machines, which introduced Anneke Wills in the role of companion Polly. Wills will be a special guest at the event and will take part in a question-and-answer session with fans. There will also be Hartnell-themed quizzes as part of the day’s festivities. For more information about the event, please see the Plymouth Who website.

With thanks to Paul Hayes for the tribute

FILTER: - People - William Hartnell

The Time Meddler DVD

Wednesday, 31 October 2007 - Reported by Marcus

The British Board of Film Classification has today passed The Silurians for DVD release.

Among the extras listed is a "coming soon" trailer for the forthcoming release of the 1965William Hartnell story The Time Meddler.

Along with the first Doctor, the story features companions Maureen O'Brien as Vicki and former Blue Peter presenter Peter Purves as Steven.

The story also stars former Carry On regular Peter Butterworth in the title role of the Meddling monk.

Other extras for the Silurians story include the documentaries "What Lies Beneath" and "Going Underground" and a Now and Then feature on the locations used in the Silurians.

FILTER: - William Hartnell - Classic Series - Blu-ray/DVD

The Gunfighters

Tuesday, 19 December 2006 - Reported by Shaun Lyon

As previously reported, BBC Audio is releasing The Gunfighters on CD on February 5, 2007. The full soundtrack is narrated by Peter Purves (Steven). The official cover blurb and illustration are below; click on the thumbnail for a larger version. (Thanks to Paul Taylor/Tenth Planet)

Doctor Who: The Gunfighters

The TARDIS lands in the Wild West in this classic BBC TV soundtrack starring William Hartnell, with linking narration by Peter Purves.

'So come, you coyotes, and howl at the moon'til there's blood upon the sawdust in The Last Chance Saloon…' It's 1881 and, in the Wild West settlement of Tombstone, there are three strangers in town: 'Doctor Caligari', 'Steven Regret', and 'Miss Dodo Dupont'. They've arrived in a 20th Century blue police box, and they're about to wander into a whole heap of trouble...

The Doctor is in need of a dentist, but the sort of anaesthetic Doc Holliday uses comes out of a liquor bottle. He's in the middle of a feud with the Clanton family, whilst Wyatt Earp and Bat Masterson try to keep the peace. This isn't the place for a relaxing holiday, as the TARDIS crew soon discover...

Tombstone's not the most happily named of towns, and it seems it may live up to that name any day now. There's a gunfight at the OK Corral brewing and, if the Doctor and his friends aren't careful, they're going to be caught in the crossfire...

In a bonus interview, Peter Purves, who also narrates this remastered soundtrack, recalls the making of The Gunfighters for television. A special 10-minute bonus music segment is also included.

FILTER: - Audio - William Hartnell - Classic Series

Invasion, Tenth Planet Audio Press Release

Tuesday, 20 December 2005 - Reported by Shaun Lyon

The BBC Press Office today posted a press release officially announcing the audio releases of the classic Doctor Who stories "The Invasion" and "The Tenth Planet", which we previously reported as being in release in January 2006. The press release also mentions the February release of "The Reign of Terror," what it says is "the last of the lost television soundtracks restored for release on BBC Audiobooks." The press release is below. (Thanks to Steve Tribe)

Patrick Troughton and William Hartnell star in these soundtrack adventures from BBC Audiobooks

Doctor Who: The Invasion: Patrick Troughton's Doctor encounters the Cybermen in London in this classic soundtrack adventure, narrated by Frazer Hines.

Arriving on Earth in 1975, the Doctor, Jamie and Zoe discover that the component manufacturers International Electromagnetics has a vice-like grip on the world's technology. When he encounters the firm's company director, the Doctor realises that there is something very odd about Tobias Vaughan...

Vaughan is in fact in alliance with the Cybermen, and together they are masterminding an aggressive invasion of Earth. If the Doctor and his friends are to defeat them, they must risk life and limb in an adventure of epic proportions.

In an exclusive bonus interview, Frazer Hines - who also narrates the soundtrack adventure - recalls his experiences of playing Jamie in Doctor Who.

Doctor Who: The Tenth Planet: The Cybermen make their first ever appearance whilst William Hartnell's Doctor nears the end of his first incarnation, in this classic soundtrack adventure with linking narration by Anneke Wills.

The year is 1986, and at the South Pole the crew of the Snowcap Base have detected a new planet on their radar. The arrival of the Doctor, Ben and Polly at the Base coincides with another landing - that of a spaceship whose humaoid passengers have used cybernetics to replace their limbs and vital organs.

Battling alongside the humans to save their planet, the Doctor appears to weaken and age before the eyes of his companions. An ultimate collapse appears to signal his death - but then..

In an exclusive bonus interview, Anneke Wills - who also narrates the story's soundtrack - recalls her memories of making The Tenth Planet.

FILTER: - Audio - William Hartnell - Classic Series

Lost in Time DVD Cover

Thursday, 9 September 2004 - Reported by Shaun Lyon

Outpost Gallifrey has been sent what we believe is the final version of the cover for the forthcoming UK DVD release of Lost in Time, the boxed set featuring orphan episodes from the William Hartnell and Patrick Troughton eras. (We've contacted artist Clayton Hickman to find out if it's the actual final version.) Click on the thumbnail for a larger version. (Thanks to Tenth Planet as always for sending it!)

Update 10 Sep, 1415 GMT: Yes, this is indeed the final version of the "Lost in Time" UK cover. (Thanks to Clayton Hickman for confirming it!)

FILTER: - William Hartnell - Classic Series - Blu-ray/DVD

Hartnell in the Guardian

Monday, 22 March 2004 - Reported by Shaun Lyon

Today's "The Guardian" features an article entitled "Why I Love William Hartnell" by Matthew Bell on page 23 of the G2 section. (Thanks to Richard Allison)

FILTER: - William Hartnell

The Space Museum/The Chase en route to DVD

Classic Episodes Online

North America DVD News

Hartnell On UK Stamp - Image

William Hartnell - One Hundred Years

The Time Meddler DVD

The Gunfighters

Invasion, Tenth Planet Audio Press Release

Lost in Time DVD Cover

Hartnell in the Guardian

This Week in Doctor Who

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