Davison's 20 Questions

Friday, 31 August 2007 - Reported by Jarrod Cooper

Whatsonstage.com has posted a 20 question interview with Peter Davison, who is seen below in his role as King Arthur in Spamalot. Davison had the following to say about his time with Doctor Who.
You're quite well known to many as being the fifth incarnation of Doctor Who. Does it all seem so long ago?

Not really, no. You're always connected with Doctor Who in some shape or form. I still do the occasional audio CD, and I'm always being asked to come in and do commentaries on the re-releases of the episodes that I did. You're always connected to it. The people who are making it now are fans of the shows from when I used to be in it, and I know quite a few of them personally.




FILTER: - People - Classic Series - Peter Davison

DVD Release date

Saturday, 25 August 2007 - Reported by Marcus
Website play.com have listed the 1975 story Planet of Evil for release on15 October 2007.

The 1979 Tom Baker story, Destiny of the Daleks has been passed for DVD release by the British Board of Film Classification. Extras passed include a feature called Davros Connections and the Prime Computer adverts recorded by Tom Baker.

According to play.com this story is due for release on 26th November 2007. As well as being available separately, the release will also be part of an eight-disc Davros Box Set.

Thanks to Dave Huddleston, Joe S Stewart and Paul Lee.




FILTER: - Classic Series - Blu-ray/DVD

Time Warrior DVD Cover

Monday, 20 August 2007 - Reported by DWNP Archive

The cover image for the forthcoming UK DVD release of The Time Warriorhas been made available. Click on the thumbnail below for a larger version.

The Robert Holmes four-parter, which originally aired from December 1973 to January 1974, was the first story in Jon Pertwee's final season as the Third Doctor, and introduced not only Elisabeth Sladen as companion Sarah Jane Smith but also the Sontaran race.

It is out on September 3 and will be the first time the adventure has been available unedited.

(Thanks to Carl T Davies.)
Extras on the disc include:


Commentary - with Elisabeth Sladen, producer Barry Letts and script editor Terrance Dicks
Beginning the End - a 'Making Of' featurette partially shot on location at Peckforton Castle, with contributions from Elisabeth Sladen, Donald Pelmear, Jeremy Bulloch, producer Barry Letts, script editor Terrance Dicks and designer Keith Cheetham. Narrated by Simon Ockenden
Optional new CGI Effects
1974 Doctor Who Annual pdf
Radio Times listings pdf
Photo Gallery
Coming Soon trailer
Trails and Continuity




FILTER: - Classic Series - Blu-ray/DVD - Radio Times

Destiny of the Daleks

Sunday, 12 August 2007 - Reported by Jarrod Cooper

The British Board of Film Classification have posted details on their website for the upcoming release of 1979 story Destiny of the Daleks, which introduces Lalla Ward in the role of Romana. This would be the first time that this story has been released on DVD. There is no release date, or special feature information at this time. Rumor has it that this release will be part of a forthcoming Davros box-set, but there is no confirmation of this from the BBC.


Thanks to Pierre Schramm.




FILTER: - Classic Series - Blu-ray/DVD

Hulke Stories On Audio

Tuesday, 7 August 2007 - Reported by DWNP Archive

Unabridged readings of classic era Third Doctor novels Doctor Who And The Cave Monsters and Doctor Who And The Doomsday Weaponare to be released by BBC Audiobooks, says the official programme website.

Both penned by Malcolm Hulke, the original TV versions of the Jon Pertwee stories were called Doctor Who And The Silurians and Colony In Space respectively.

Caroline John, who played assistant Liz Shaw in Doctor Who And The Silurians, reads Doctor Who And The Cave Monsters, while Geoffrey Beevers, who portrayed the disfigured Master in The Keeper of Traken, readsDoctor Who And The Doomsday Weapon.

The stories will be available from September 3 as CD sets and downloads.




FILTER: - Audio - Classic Series

More Classic Series Figures

Friday, 3 August 2007 - Reported by DWNP Archive

Character Options is to release a range of classic-era figures.

To be launched next spring, in association with BBC Worldwide, the five-inch figures will initially feature detailed replicas of classic Doctors, plus a number of monsters.

Jon Diver, the joint managing director of Character Group, said: "The resounding success of the Doctor Who TV series is made up of both new and existing Doctor Who fans.

"We have reacted to public demand and will be producing a range which greatly enhances the depth and quality of our existing line.

"The classic licence will broaden the collectability and enhance the position of the brand."

Also reported by Toy News and Action-Figure

(Thanks to Tony Clark and Daniel Smith.)




FILTER: - Merchandise - Classic Series

New Statue Range And Replica Props

Thursday, 2 August 2007 - Reported by DWNP Archive

The Iconic Replicas division of Product Enterprise has been granted licences for a statue range and replica props from the classic Doctor Who era.

It says the 1:6 scale polyresin figures will include the Fourth Doctor, the Sontaran Linx, Daleks, Cybermen and Zygons.

Sculpted by Andrew Teal and Sarah Aplin, they will be limited editions.

The first wave of the replica props - also to be limited editions - will include a 1:6 scale model of the Tardis from An Unearthly Child, a similar scale replica of the console from the same episode and the sonic screwdriver from the Tom Baker era.

Release dates have still to be announced.

(Thanks to Tony Clark.)




FILTER: - Merchandise - Classic Series

John Normington

Monday, 30 July 2007 - Reported by Marcus
According to a report at WhatsOnStage.com, the actor John Normingtonhas died at the age of 70.

Normington was best known to Doctor Who fans for his highly-acclaimed role as the villain Trau Morgus in Peter Davison's final story as the Fifth Doctor, The Caves of Androzani, in 1984.

He later appeared again in the series in the Sylvester McCoy serial The Happiness Patrol in 1987, and finally guested in 2006's Ghost Machine, an episode of the Doctor Who spin-off series Torchwood.

Normington was a busy working actor right up until this year, appearing at the Old Vic opposite Robert Lindsay in The Entertainer. A former member of the Royal Shakespeare Company, he also appeared in television series such as Coronation StreetYes, Prime Minister and Casualty.

Hollywood actor Kevin Spacey, the artistic director of the Old Vic, said in tribute: "We were honoured to have enjoyed John's company for as long as we had him. His spirit and influence remained throughout and now that same spirit joins the other great actors who have played the Old Vic stage, where he will always be remembered with admiration and affection.

"They don't make them like him any more. We send our love and condolences to John's partner, family and friends."




FILTER: - Obituary - Classic Series

DVD Release Information

Friday, 27 July 2007 - Reported by Jarrod Cooper

TVSHOWSONDVD.com has announced some dates on the upcoming DVD releases in North America.

November 6th sees a trio of releases in North America. Arc of Infinity and Time-Flight are the classic series releases, with The Complete Series Three of the new series rounding out the day.

Series Three is currently slated for release in the UK on November 27th, although the BBC Shop is listing a November 5th release date.

January 8th will see the DVD release of Torchwood: Series One in North America.




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

Time Warrior DVD Update

Monday, 23 July 2007 - Reported by DWNP Archive

The Restoration Team updated its website today with details about the release ofThe Time Warrior on DVD in the UK.

The four-part story from December 1973 to January 1974, which started the final season of Jon Pertwee as the Doctor and introduced not only Elisabeth Sladenas companion Sarah Jane Smith but also the Sontaran race, will be out on September 3.

It will be the first time it has been available unedited.




FILTER: - Jon Pertwee - Classic Series - Blu-ray/DVD