TV Gold

At one time I really thought BBC Audiobook releases of 'missing - presumed destroyed' was a marvellous way of enjoying Hartnell and Troughton stories.

...now though, with the cupboard bare I really struggle to understand their release strategy.

We've already got 'Tomb of the Cybermen' on DVD and yet out came a two disc CD release. As if that wasn't bad enough this was then followed up by a CD of the Hartnell 'The Ark' story all episodes of which do exist.

Maybe you could just about excuse this as these stories are little known amongst the general public and 'black and white' stories I guess don't have the same appeal as colour.

However defying belief is yet another pointless 'Limited Edition Tin Set' recently gone on sale featuring three stories which could easily make an appearance as a DVD title. Personally I very much was looking forward to Jon Pertwee's 'The Sea Devils' gaining a lavish 'special edition' DVD release as I personally feel it's one of the 'jewels' in the Pertwee era. I'm sure that Katy Manning will embue this release with her usual scatty nature in narrating this tale but when you have a story so strong on visuals isn't it a waste only to have it as an audio. It's accompanying stories 'The Silurians' and 'Warriors of the Deep' whilst not in the same league as 'The Sea Devils' are also particularly strong visually which makes this release all the more puzzling.

Just flicking through my copy of 'Doctor Who Magazine - Issue 376' this morning I felt really angry that yet another complete story is going down this IMO, 'pointless' audio release path with a February 5th 2007 release of 'The Gunfighters' a story which on its VHS video release was extensively improved through VidFire and sits hansomely in the 'First Doctor box set'

Whatever next I wonder? Will be next be seeing the comic mastpiece of 'The Romans' during 2007.

Sorry rant over but maybe you can understand my point!

Just got an email from Amazon whom reckon that you can now pre-order the Patrick Troughton five part Season Six opener "The Dominators" which is destined as the next shameless CD ripoff (as in all episodes exist) although no release date has been specified.

If you are interested in this:-

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1405677597/ref=pe_pe_3421_4812191_pe_snp_914

Sarah Tarrant wrote:Just got an email from Amazon whom reckon that you can now pre-order the Patrick Troughton five part Season Six opener "The Dominators" which is destined as the next shameless CD ripoff (as in all episodes exist) although no release date has been specified.

If you are interested in this:-

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1405677597/ref=pe_pe_3421_4812191_pe_snp_914

I thought "The Dominators" was rubbish even with a picture, never mind without one. Before that I had usually liked Patrick Troughton, but that together with the episode of the "Space Pirates" that is on "The Troughton Years" makes me wonder. I would like to see more of his stories. I have always liked "The Krotons" and "The Tomb of the Cybermen". I recently enjoyed "The Invasion" and "The War Games". I would like to see money spent on more of his stories being given the Cosgrave Hall treatment like "The Invasion". Since seeing the episode of "Th eAbominable Snowmen" on "The Troughton Years" about 15 years ago, I have always wanted to see that.
The first Doctor that I remember was Jon Pertwee as I was not born until 1971.

I thought "The Dominators" was rubbish even with a picture, never mind without one.

Sorry but I have to disagree with you about this! I love the bumbling way that Patrick Troughton's Doctor manipulates the controls of the Dulcian , flying craft, pulling at a mass of wires in midflight, it's just so typically second Doctor. We can all have a big laugh at Wendy Padbury's Zoe in the 'totally impractical' local attire and (for the boys) watch the embarrising zip that goes up and down during most of the time that she appears on screen in this outfit. The costumes of the Dominators themselves are amusing enough but I love the little, rather cute looking Quarks with their twee sounding voices. Also look out for the wacking great closeup of a stuntman standing in for the Doctor in the final episode. There are other aspects I could suggest if I spent more time on this (seeing that I personally find it an amusing entertaining start to the Sixth season) but I think you get my general gist!

Just seen on play.com website that "The War Machines" is now listed for an August release

http://www.play.com/Books/AudioBooks/STCS4/3-/3337136/Doctor_Who_The_War_Machines/Product.html

Love the story, got it on video, it is marvellous to watch and really sets the tone for future earth based stories, e.g. "The Invasion", "The Web of Fear" and most of the Pertwee era.

Would much rather have prefered to see this become a DVD release, it truely deserves it. IMO definitely one of the strongest William Hartnell stories that does not deserve to only be released as an audio CD!