Christian Cawley's Blog, page 251
April 22, 2014
From The Pathé News Archive: Jon Pertwee – Waistcoateer!
Christian Cawley is a writer at Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews - All the latest Doctor Who news and reviews with our weekly podKast, features and interviews, and a long-running forum.
Future Doctor Who star Jon Pertwee (and brother Michael) appears in this British Pathé newsreel from 1954 about the Soho-based Waistcoat Club, in which natty dressers wear some astonishingly ornate waistcoats.
Pertwee appears throughout, with his first appearance at the 5 second mark.
The post From The Pathé News Archive: Jon Pertwee – Waistcoateer! appeared first on Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews.
Jenna Coleman, Doctor Who Cast Seen Filming In Period Costume
Rebecca Crockett is a writer at Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews - All the latest Doctor Who news and reviews with our weekly podKast, features and interviews, and a long-running forum.
Jenna Coleman and others were recently seen wearing what look to be period costumes around the grounds of the lovely Caerphilly Castle while filming scenes for the upcoming season of Doctor Who.
SPOILER WARNING!!
Information in the rest of this post will directly mention episode titles and speculation as to what the episode is about/when or where it is set!! Read on at your own risk!
All indications are that the crew is filming what will be the sixth episode of Series 8, which has already been given the title of Robots Of Sherwood. Guest star Tom Riley has been seen sporting long hair and a long beard as well as clothing and a bow and arrow that point to his playing the prince of thieves, Robin Hood. Will Clara be his Maid Marion? The red gown Jenna Coleman has been seen wearing on set looks like something the lovely lady would wear.
It's official Jenna Louise Coleman is even more flawless in real life #dwsr pic.twitter.com/X7X1tM0Gt3
— nogitsune (@KieraEirian1997) April 16, 2014
Others have been spotted in peasant costumes and possibly the outfits of Robin Hood’s Merry Men. An unknown actor has also been spotted in a full suit of chain-mail armour, complete with mask.
The writer of the episode, Sherlock’s Mark Gatiss, has also been on set. He has confirmed that he’s been tasked with writing a few more episodes of the show, though he has also alluded to the possibility that both may not appear in the season currently being filmed. He has also said that the Twelfth Doctor will be ‘following a new set of rules’ as compared to his previous incarnations.
Star Peter Capaldi, who took time to interact with fans who came to watch the production, was filming in what has come to be his Doctor’s usual attire even though the rest of the cast was in period garb. But if you’re familiar with the show, you know the Doctor tends to keep to his own wardrobe, even when traveling through history.
Check out all of the on-set pictures at MailOnline.
I personally am really looking forward to this Robin Hood themed episode. I think I’ve seen just about every major version of the story ever done for movies and television so I can’t wait to see the Doctor Who take on it!
The post Jenna Coleman, Doctor Who Cast Seen Filming In Period Costume appeared first on Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews.
British Pathé Releases Vintage Doctor Who News Reels Online
Nick Kitchen is a writer at Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews - All the latest Doctor Who news and reviews with our weekly podKast, features and interviews, and a long-running forum.
In the not-so-distant past, newsreels were almost always played before the featured film in most movie theaters. For some, those newsreels were the actual highlight of the movie-going experience. While many of those former staples of pop culture have been lost to the sands of time, a leading producer of said newsreels from 1896-1976, British Pathé, has just released the mother lode of content to YouTube!
According to British Pathé general manager, Alastair White, the goal was to make sure these were never forgotten:
Our hope is that everyone, everywhere who has a computer will see these films and enjoy them. This archive is a treasure trove unrivalled in historical and cultural significance that should never be forgotten. Uploading the films to YouTube seemed like the best way to make sure of that.
While the publishing of these 85,000 seemingly lost films is significant in itself, it also holds interest for us Whovians as well. Those who venture into the archive will find long-lost gems like a Cyberman and Yeti at ’67/68 Schoolboys’ and Girls’ Exhibition and even some extra curricular footage of a former Doctor Who star (Jon Pertwee) and the former Dr. Who (Peter Cushing). The exciting part is that now that the collection has been posted to the social video site, even more Who connections may be spotted by the viewers and users who peruse the footage.
Now, if only we could find someone with a complete collection of the missing Classic Doctor Who reels…
What say you, dear reader? Are you excited to check out the British Pathé collection? Then, what are you waiting for? The YouTube channel can be found here. Let us know if you see anything else of interest in the comments section below! We’ll be bringing you the individual videos of interest over the next few days…
(Additional details via Doctor Who News)
The post British Pathé Releases Vintage Doctor Who News Reels Online appeared first on Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews.
April 21, 2014
Andrew Cartmel Clarifies Ben Aaronovitch “New Series” Comments
Danny_Weasel is a writer at Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews - All the latest Doctor Who news and reviews with our weekly podKast, features and interviews, and a long-running forum.
Last week at while speaking at a Islington’s Archeology and History Society event former Doctor Who script editor Andrew Carmel (1987-1989) mentioned the dreaded omnirumour stating:
They found some episodes in Nigeria, and there’s rumours of more to come. I think we might get all the missing Troughtons. There were rumours for years that there was a cache in Australia, they are now actively going around the world to find them.
Far more tantilising was the prospect of what came next as he went on to mention Remembrance of the Daleks writer and bestselling author Ben Aaronovitch saying that “He has written a Doctor Who story, ready to go”.
This, it would seem is not the case and Andrew has since written on his Facebook page about how out of control the rumour mill had gotten with what was actually said.
Both are, I’m afraid, wild exaggerations — an example of “Chinese whispers”. I said that there is a good chance that more lost episodes will be found and I hope they will find them all. As for Ben, I merely said he has a great idea for a Doctor Who story (which he does). But no one has asked him to work on the show. Sorry to disappoint.
Alas, it seems we are not going to be getting an Aaronovitch script in series eight, but on the plus side we now know that should he be asked he has one lined up and ready to go.
What are your thoughts, do you think that Ben could deliver the goods in the world of new Who? Do you think Cartmel knows more than he is letting on about? You know where to put your words of wisdom folks.
The post Andrew Cartmel Clarifies Ben Aaronovitch “New Series” Comments appeared first on Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews.
Whovians Pop Up In New ITV Shows
James Lomond is a writer at Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews - All the latest Doctor Who news and reviews with our weekly podKast, features and interviews, and a long-running forum.
That mushroom cloud you can see from your window is the result of a critical mass of AWESOME from these two sharing bottom-space on a bus:
Why do I ALWAYS get sat next to the mad woman on the bus? pic.twitter.com/lokgssdN1f
— Reece Shearsmith (@ReeceShearsmith) April 17, 2014
This cheeky tease-pic is from ITV’s new four-part drama, about DS Sean Stone investigating serial killers from within the missing person’s unit. Stone, played by Reece Shearsmith, is “intense, socially awkward and a misfit” and balanced by his partner and colleague, Ruth Hattersley, played by Mrs Robinson herself, Alex Kingston (River Song from series 4 to 7 of Doctor Who).
Shearsmith is known for his dark, quirky roles as one of the talents behind The League of Gentlemen, Psychoville and more recently Inside No. 9, which he co-wrote and starred in with Steve Pemberton (Silence in the Library, Forest of the Dead). He is someone many fans have expected to crop up in Doctor Who at some point and even cameoed in Mark Gatiss’s reality-based drama An Adventure in Space and Time as Patrick Troughton.
Joining the cast is yet another Who stalwart, Noel Clarke, who started with the show way back in 2005. In fact ITV seem very keen on Doctor Who stars in their shows – Law & Order UK premiered with Series 3 companion, Freema Agyeman and one Peter Davison, not to mention Sarah Jane Adventures villain Bradley Walsh! Meanwhile, Master actor John Simm stars in a new series, Prey, on Monday 28th April (you can find out more about Prey at Cult Britannia).
Chasing Shadows sounds like more serious and gritty material than Shearsmith usually takes on though Kingston is well-known for her work on ER and its straight-faced medical drama. Will this have a comic undertone or be stark and sinister? And more importantly, will you be watching?
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The 2014 Hugo Awards
Christian Cawley is a writer at Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews - All the latest Doctor Who news and reviews with our weekly podKast, features and interviews, and a long-running forum.
The shortlist for the 2014 Hugo Awards has been announced, with Doctor Who‘s 50th anniversary having a heavy presence in the Best Dramatic Presentation (Short Form) category.
Could An Adventure in Space and Time, The Day of the Doctor, The Name of the Doctor and The Five(ish) Doctors - pull in another victory for Doctor Who in the competition? Steven Moffat has had a good run in the Hugos over the years, but we’re hoping that Peter Davison is the man to grab victory this time, simply because he’s all kinds of awesome.
Here’s the full list.
BEST DRAMATIC PRESENTATION (SHORT FORM) (760 ballots)
An Adventure in Space and Time written by Mark Gatiss, directed by Terry McDonough (BBC Television)
Doctor Who: “The Day of the Doctor” written by Steven Moffat, directed by Nick Hurran (BBC Television)
Doctor Who: “The Name of the Doctor”written by Steven Moffat, directed by Saul Metzstein (BBC Televison)
The Five(ish) Doctors Reboot written & directed by Peter Davison (BBC Television)
Game of Thrones: “The Rains of Castamere”written by David Benioff & D.B. Weiss, directed by David Nutter (HBO Entertainment in association with Bighead, Littlehead; Television 360; Startling Television and Generator Productions)
Orphan Black: “Variations under Domestication” written by Will Pascoe, directed by John Fawcett (Temple Street Productions; Space / BBC America)
Interestingky, the category has six nominees due to a tie for 5th place.
For more information head to the 2014 Hugos shortlist page.
The post The 2014 Hugo Awards appeared first on Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews.
044 The Dominators
Barnaby Eaton-Jones is a writer at Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews - All the latest Doctor Who news and reviews with our weekly podKast, features and interviews, and a long-running forum.
How do you tackle the weighty argument of pacifism versus aggression; a true 1960s ideology that – in a microcosm of society – played out with America’s unrest over the war in Vietnam?
Well, if you’re Doctor Who, you stick two men in comedy armadillo costumes, add some walking pizza ovens (with paddles sticking out the front and a spikey disco ball attached to the top), throw in a listless Roman orgy of extras from Up Pompeii and then argue the case throughout five over-stretched episodes with a neat sideline in Three Stooges action from the Doctor, Jamie and Zoe.
So, stick that in your pipe and smoke it, Richard Nixon! Right on!!
Okay, perhaps I’m being a little disingenuous. There’s a severe lack of stories in the archive for Patrick Troughton’s impish Second Doctor (due to the BBC reusing expensive video tape rather than storing their TV output) and a lot of hardcore fans complain that they’d rather swap this story for any other. In other words, set on the world of Dulkis, this story sounds like the word you’d use to describe the moment when you’re expecting bedroom action and all you get is a peck on the lips.
First of all, a little background. And there is little background in The Dominators. Just another deserted quarry and spares sets.
However, as with any hive mentality, the popular opinion of fans isn’t always the right one. It’s slow, yes. But, this is television that moves at a slow pace unlike the fast-paced direction of today’s epileptic frenzy of editing and ‘get-to-the-point’ plots of 45-minute episodes. Nothing much happens, yes. But, again, this is more about the argument being played out than an adherence to an action set-piece every 5 minutes.
I’ve raised this argument before, for ‘60s Doctor Who. It isn’t designed and made for viewing entire stories in one sitting. This is proper episodic television and should be treated as such. If you watch one episode a week (or every couple of days, if you’re impatient), then you’ll get a better appreciation. Stories back then weren’t expected to be viewed again and dissected and poured over in the same way that stories of today are. So, watching The Dominators in its entirety in one sitting isn’t a good idea.
But, what is The Dominators about? It’s about one episode short. Ahem. This is a story that has caused a lot of friction and bitterness behind the scenes, if the participants are to be believed. The two writers, Mervyn Haisman and Henry Lincoln, had created the incredibly popular robotic Yeti who were controlled by The Great Intelligence – which came to light again in the Matt Smith era of the Eleventh Doctor. These featured in two stories, which are widely considered to be so-called ‘classics’ – The Abominable Snowman and The Web Of Fear. So, why is this story credited to a Mr. Norman Ashby? Well, apparently, Script Editor Derrick Sherwin decided that six episodes of this morality argument was too long a time and told his commissioned writing duo not to finish a sixth episode. Instead, he extensively re-wrote it and the now-final fifth episode to give the story an early conclusion. The non de plume was a mixture of Haisman and Lincoln’s grandparents’ names, as they wanted their names taken off the credits.
First of all, a little background. And there is little background in The Dominators. Just another deserted quarry and spares sets. The budgetary limitations of the series were perhaps in evidence with the lack of material used to dress the inhabitants of Dulkis and the creation of the boxy Quarks – who epically fail in their design and build as spectacularly as the Daleks brilliantly succeed. But, whilst Terry Nation was off trying to flog his copyright-created Daleks to Hollywood, the BBC was trying desperately to come up with a monster that would catch on just as well (another reason for the falling out between the writers of this story and the BBC was over copyright to who owned the Quarks – both parties assuming the Quarks would have the same financial and creative impact as the Daleks. It’s like fighting over the creative rights to market ‘Crime Traveller’ action figures).
Here’s my advice to anyone who travels with the Doctor: if he offers to take you on holiday, decline at once. Every time the Doctor suggests a holiday, he either ends up on a totally different planet or the planet he visits is nothing like he remembers. It’s like going to Thomas Cook and asking for an all-inclusive holiday in the Bahamas and being given self-catering in Bognor Regis. In this story, his companions Jamie (Frazer Hines) and Zoe (Wendy Padbury) are given a holiday on the planet Dulkis. But, of course, when they arrive they are straight into some murderous action and running for their lives.
Here’s my advice to anyone who travels with the Doctor: if he offers to take you on holiday, decline at once. It’s like going to Thomas Cook and asking for an all-inclusive holiday in the Bahamas and being given self-catering in Bognor Regis.
In a nutshell, the Dominators of the title are two angry young men played by Ronald Allen (Rago) and Kenneth Ives (Toba). Their names of Rago and Toba sound like a curry you’d order when drunk and, to be fair, they act like they’ve got perpetual hangovers; all frowns, anger and impatience with each other. They land on the planet to suck it dry of its core, to use as rocket fuel for their ship. The inhabitants were once a war-mongering race who’ve long since turned to pacifism and live in a perpetual state of politeness. So, they are easy pickings for the robot Quarks, who are the lumbering machines brought along by the Dominators to do their dirty work.
From then on, the story is about the Doctor urging the population of Dulkis to fight for their right to party and trying to stop the Dominators from enforcing a curfew on the fun. This is done via lengthy chin-wags and meaningful metaphors, which don’t always engage the attention as much as they should if you watch it without an episodic break. However, if your mind begins to drift, you’re always brought back to the story by “The Three Stooges” (the Doctor, Jamie and Zoe), who entertain, amuse and engage in a variety of ways. The acting interplay between these three actors showcases how much they got on off the set, as well as on. They are definitely the best dynamic of the Troughton era and it seems a real shame that, when Patrick Troughton and Frazer Hines returned for The Two Doctors (in Colin Baker’s Sixth Doctor era), they didn’t bring Wendy Padbury along to enjoy the Spanish sunshine.
So, we get a sort of retread of the second Dalek story, where a bomb is planted at the planet’s core and the Doctor has a race against time to save it from exploding. Of course, he does this and – in his own bumbling yet sadistic way – blows up the Dominator’s spaceship instead, with Rago and Toba (and the Quarks) on board.
The direction of the story, by Morris Barry, is as impressive as his handling of The Tomb Of The Cybermen – with some fantastically framed shots and a keen eye for keeping the viewer interested instead of irritating them.
With operational weapons still in a Museum, to show how far they’ve come from the race they once were, you sort of wonder why a whole planet’s population couldn’t just nip in and grab something to finish off two Dominators and a few unsteady Quarks (who walk like toddlers, tottering along with the constant expectation of a nasty fall at any moment, and speak a little like them too – making lots of high-pitched noises that don’t make any sense), instead of allowing the Doctor, Jamie and Zoe to inspire a couple of individuals to act on their own. But, the population have obviously been living in decadence for so long that they’ve become as inactive as the weapons they show off. As a generic argument pitching the passive society of the ‘60s against the aggressive society, it seems a little too exaggerated and forced but – as always with Doctor Who – it’s amazing these big issues of the day are shoehorned cleverly into what was thought of as a children’s show. This continued to happen, with similar overtness, right through the entire ‘classic series’ run and provides an engagement for adults if it does go over the heads of the younger ones.
The direction of the story, by Morris Barry, is as impressive as his handling of The Tomb Of The Cybermen – with some fantastically framed shots and a keen eye for keeping the viewer interested instead of irritating them. Often, a mediocre story can be enlivened by how it is presented and the way the actors interpret it. So, for those people who think it is an uninteresting story as it is, think how much worse it could have been without a decent Director behind it.
Barry Newbury makes the most of a tiny budget, with his recreations of the outdoor quarry locations and the aesthetic of the Dulkis interiors, and the soundscape of the story is unusual in the fact that it’s mostly provided by the Radiophonic Workshop (which provides atmospheric sounds rather than actual incidental music). This, in itself, lends it an air of individuality that somehow makes everything feel more alien.
So, if any story is worthy of a re-watch and re-evaluation, I really do think The Dominators is the one to try. It will never be described as a ‘classic’ but, then again, that term is appropriate only to a person’s taste – one person’s The Seeds Of Doom is another person’s The Seeds Of Death. If the only thing you need is a Patrick Troughton fix, then the Second Doctor’s impish yet impressive character is really firing on all cylinders here. Give it a go, let it dominate you, and I’ll give you a dull kiss afterwards for reassessing it.
The post 044 The Dominators appeared first on Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews.
Great Doctor Who T-Shirts On TeeFury Today!
Christian Cawley is a writer at Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews - All the latest Doctor Who news and reviews with our weekly podKast, features and interviews, and a long-running forum.
Time to make your Easter 2014 really count? You can with one (or both!) of these great Doctor Who t-shirts from TeeFury
It’s a TwoFury double again, where two $11 shirts are made available with the best-selling named the winner. On this occasion, two tees with artwork by the same artist are available.
So if you want to wear “Come Away With Me” or “Adventure Awaits”, both by Karen Hallion, simply click this link to pick them up from TeeFury for just $11 plus shipping!
This offer ends midnight US time on Monday, 21st of April 2014.
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The War Doctor Says: Vote Doctor Who At The BAFTAs!
Christian Cawley is a writer at Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews - All the latest Doctor Who news and reviews with our weekly podKast, features and interviews, and a long-running forum.
You’d be a fool to argue with the man who destroyed Gallifrey and billions of Daleks… or at least thinks he did that. So, with this in mind, it’s time to pay attention to John Hurt, who presents a persuasive argument as to why you should vote Doctor Who in the Radio Times Audience Award at this year’s Bafta Television Awards
His reasoning is fair; let’s face it, it was bound to be.
Meanwhile, if for some reason the numerical Ninth Doctor’s case doesn’t persuade you, perhaps the thoughts of comedian and broadcaster Frank Skinner will. His case is summed up by Boyd Hilton of HEAT, who says:
It was an excellent celebration. It’s rare that a programme lives up to the hype. This did. And the Tom Baker surprise was the perfect ending and a brilliantly kept secret.
Voting is open until midday on Thursday May 15 at radiotimes.com/bafta – get your vote in now!
The post The War Doctor Says: Vote Doctor Who At The BAFTAs! appeared first on Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews.
April 20, 2014
Starfury Conventions: The Time Of Angels, October 2014
Danny_Weasel is a writer at Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews - All the latest Doctor Who news and reviews with our weekly podKast, features and interviews, and a long-running forum.
Starfury conventions, the people who brought us incredibly good cons like 11th Hour and Midnight which boasted guests like Matt Smith, David Tennant, Billie Piper and many more, are back with another bash this time called Time of Angels.
The event, which will take place across three days in early October at the Radisson Edwardian Hotel, Heathrow, has already attracted some great guests in the form of Arthur Darvill (Rory Williams/Pond) Barnaby Edwards (Dalek extraordinaire) and most interesting of all Keeley Hawes who found fame in the Life on Mars spin-off series Ashes to Ashes and who is set to make an appearance in Series 8. Fingers crossed being snapped up for a con like this means we can expect bigger things from her character than previously thought?
Bear in mind that this is only the first clutch of announced guests, expect more to be added as the event looms nearer and if past events are anything to go by, the organisers aren’t likely to disappoint. Check out their site for more.
So who would be on your wishlist of guests? Have you already seen a name that has you launching your money at your monitor? Why not tell us about it all below and see who else shares your views.
The post Starfury Conventions: The Time Of Angels, October 2014 appeared first on Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews.
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