My eyesight isn’t as good as it used to be! That said, I’m looking forward to seeing the return of the Daleks on Saturday. Some say the murdering swine from Skaro have been overused since the series returned in 2005 but, personally, I can’t get enough of them. To me, they’re what “Doctor Who” is all about.
Those who came to “Doctor Who” during the Seventies, and in particular during the Tom Baker era, may have a different perspective on the Daleks. The creatures were only seen twice during Tom’s seven-year reign as the Doctor, highly successfully on their “Genesis” outing opposite Time Lord number four but not quite so whilst seeking out their “Destiny”! The Daleks weren’t so dominant during this part of the show’s history.
I grew up watching “Doctor Who” in the Sixties. I was a child during Dalekmania. My brother and I had a toy Dalek each that ran off batteries. We collected the set of thirty-six adventure cards, ostensibly “free” with Wall’s “Sky Ray” ice lollies, in which “Dr. Who” joined forces with the Space Raiders to battle the Daleks. We went to see the two movies at the cinema starring Peter Cushing. Not inappropriately, the first was called “Dr. Who and the Daleks”. Around this time, 1965, the Daleks became synonymous with “Doctor Who”.
Bernard Cribbins played P.C. Tom Campbell in the 1966 sequel, “Daleks’ Invasion Earth 2150 A.D.”, and it’ll no doubt fuel a wave of nostalgia this weekend to, once again, see the actor waging war on the streets of London against the metal mutants. The time-travelling copper even came face to face with a Red Dalek! A Dalek of a similar hue can be seen in “The Stolen Earth”, the first episode of the two-part Season Four finale.
I skived off wind band rehearsal, one Saturday morning, to see both Dalek films in a double bill at the Odeon. I remember being irritated with all the younger kids, at the matinée with their mothers, who wouldn’t be quiet so I could concentrate on the exterminatingly exciting, otherworldly, enthralling entertainment!
Those who came to “Doctor Who” during the Seventies, and in particular during the Tom Baker era, may have a different perspective on the Daleks. The creatures were only seen twice during Tom’s seven-year reign as the Doctor, highly successfully on their “Genesis” outing opposite Time Lord number four but not quite so whilst seeking out their “Destiny”! The Daleks weren’t so dominant during this part of the show’s history.
I grew up watching “Doctor Who” in the Sixties. I was a child during Dalekmania. My brother and I had a toy Dalek each that ran off batteries. We collected the set of thirty-six adventure cards, ostensibly “free” with Wall’s “Sky Ray” ice lollies, in which “Dr. Who” joined forces with the Space Raiders to battle the Daleks. We went to see the two movies at the cinema starring Peter Cushing. Not inappropriately, the first was called “Dr. Who and the Daleks”. Around this time, 1965, the Daleks became synonymous with “Doctor Who”.
Bernard Cribbins played P.C. Tom Campbell in the 1966 sequel, “Daleks’ Invasion Earth 2150 A.D.”, and it’ll no doubt fuel a wave of nostalgia this weekend to, once again, see the actor waging war on the streets of London against the metal mutants. The time-travelling copper even came face to face with a Red Dalek! A Dalek of a similar hue can be seen in “The Stolen Earth”, the first episode of the two-part Season Four finale.
I skived off wind band rehearsal, one Saturday morning, to see both Dalek films in a double bill at the Odeon. I remember being irritated with all the younger kids, at the matinée with their mothers, who wouldn’t be quiet so I could concentrate on the exterminatingly exciting, otherworldly, enthralling entertainment!
8 comments:
There is something quintessentially evil about the Daleks... and they're so enjoyable to watch. I've got my hopes up for a worthy finale to the series... let's hope we're not disappointed!
Like you, I'm a big Dalek fan. I especially liked the episode where they were squabbling with the Cybermen. The story wasn't brilliant, but that one scene - the scripting was perfect.
Great anecdotes, Tim. Yes I can see that Dalekmania must have been at it's height in the 60s when the concept of the alien pepperpots was still fresh and new with the public!
That's true, I didn't think about the Bernard Cribbins connection! I too loved those Dalek movies when I was younger, and remember watching them on Saturday morning TV - perfect kiddie viewing (actually that sounds patronising, adults can appreciate them as well, but you know what I mean!) I think I may have seen one of the films at our local Odeon too, can't quite remember...
Aaah now you're taking me back Tim. I actually remember seeing the second one (Daleks Invasion Earth 2150 AD) when I was very young and being really scared by the bit when the Dalek ship shoots and blows up the van that Susan and the guy played by Ray Brooks (I think that's right?) have been driving (fortunately they get out just in time!)
Personally I did think enough was enough after last season's Daleks in NYC two-parter. There is such a thing as overkill! I guess I am looking forward to seeing their return tomorrow though - at the very least because there looks set to be a new angle on them - the Red Dalek (what or WHO is it?) and the resurrection of a certain creator of course! I'm sure we'll all be trading opinions soon!
I think the Daleks are aesthetically pleasing to the eye, Steve, and for that we have Ray Cusick to thank, rather than Terry Nation! Ray's going to be on "Confidential", after the episode, talking about his creation.
There's a similarly humorous scene, like the one you mention from "Doomsday" Rol, in this Saturday's episode between a Dalek and Bernard Cribbins from which I took the title of this post!
Thank you, Simon. For me that era seems like a magical time and there obviously is something about the Daleks that have enabled them to stand the test of time, virtually unchanged give or take the odd tweak, while other monsters and villains have fallen by the wayside!
You're thinking of "Quatermass and the Pit" actor Andrew Keir, who played Wyler in the second Dalek movie, rather than Ray Brooks who played David. I remember the scene you mention well. And, wasn't the exterior of the Dalek ship well designed. Much better looking than the one in the equivalent Hartnell serial!
I'm looking forward to seeing the final two episodes, too. I suspect the big reveal, of the fictional creator of the Daleks, won't happen until the closing moments of the episode! The "Radio Times" gives the cliff-hanger away by saying they'll be discussing his return in next week's issue!!
I'm still waiting for Cribbens to call the doctor 'doctor who,' like he did in the movie.
That Ray Brooks would sort out davros, he's the 'boy with the knack,' you know.
Ray might even ask Miss Tate to come home with him!
Ahhh yes Andrew Keir. I remember now. I think the reason the Dalek ship looked so good was that they had a bigger budget for the movie, as opposed to the usual laughable 23p they spent on old skool Who!
That's just under five shillings in old money!
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