Dr Who: The William Hartnell Years
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The First Doctor Who: William Hartnell
In his first story, An Unearthly Child, television viewers are introduced to a frail old man, grand father to Susan. A brusque and mysterious character, the Doctor is protective of his background and unwilling to share any information about himself to his unwilling co-travellers, Barbara and Ian, two teachers who unwittingly stumble upon the TARDIS while trying to find out more about Susan.
The TARDIS (Time and Relative Dimension in Space) becomes the centrepiece for the Doctor's adventures. Often unaware where his time travelling machine - disguised as a police phone box and bigger internally than the exterior - will take him next, added to the excitement and curiosity of the television viewer.
Exciting historical and futuristic stories followed. It was early in the series that the Doctor's most enduring and popular enemies were introduced: the malevolent and emotionless Daleks along with the humanoid Cybermen. Both remain the Doctor's nemeses to this day, having been featured regularly over the years, and are now embedded in the realms of British popular culture.
Due to ill health, Hartnell left the role in 1966. It was the height of the series' popularity, and rather than ending the show, the producers came up with an ingenious way of letting it continue. The Doctor would regenerate. The role would remain, but the Doctor's appearance and character would change. Thus, Hartnell handed the reins of the Doctor to Patrick Troughton, his second incarnation.
Hartnell would continue to make occasional appearances over the years, including 1973's Doctor Who: The Three Doctors
Image: Photographic Prints of Dr Who from Mirror Photos
Contents at a Glance
Countdown to Doctor Who's 49th Broadcast Anniversary
Doctor Who: A Television Legend is Born
William Hartnell Begins the Saga
Doctor Who was created essentially as a children's programme for the BBC's Autumn 1963 television season. Originally contracted for only thirteen episodes, it was never really expected to continue after these. However, thanks to some terrific casting, great writing and strong production values, it soon became a television staple in the UK, developing as one of Britain's most beloved television legends.Historical stories were the writers' mandate during the early episodes; trips to ancient Rome and Greece, the Aztec Empire, Marco Polo's China, revolutionary France, and America's Old West were amongst the travellers' many stops. These were offset by trips to distant alien planets, spaceships, as well as voyages to present and future Earth. The latter adventures introduced television viewers to the Doctor's most enduring enemies: the emotionless Daleks and Cybermen.
These early stories established the origins of the character of Doctor Who. He was a perplexing puzzle, a mysterious traveller from an unknown time trying to escape from his own people, the Time Lords.
Dr Who With His TARDIS
Underground Toys Doctor Who The First Doctor And Electronic Tardis
Amazon Price: $49.99 (as of 05/31/2012)
List Price: $49.99
A wonderful addition to any Doctor Who collection is this William Hartnell figure, along with his TARDIS. The blue box stands approx 9.5" tall and is equipped with a blinking light, opening doors and the sounds of it taking off and landing. Great quality and fun to see it sitting on a shelf or desk.
Tributes to William Hartnell's Dr Who
Doctor Who's Nemesis: The Daleks
Introduced December 1963
Doctor Who Daleks Poster
This Doctor Who Daleks Poster measures approximately 34 x 24 inches
The First Dr Who: Episode Guide
William Hartnell 1963-1966
Season 1
An Unearthly Child: 23 Nov 63 - 14 Dec 63
The Daleks: 21 Dec 63 - 01 Feb 64
The Edge of Destruction: 08 Feb 64 - 15 Feb 64
Marco Polo: 22 Feb 64 - 04 Apr 64
The Keys of Marinus: 11 Apr 64 - 16 May 64
The Aztecs: 23 May 64 - 13 Jun 64
The Sensorites: 20 Jun 64 - 01 Aug 64
The Reign of Terror: 08 Aug 64 - 12 Sep 64
Season 2
Planet of Giants: 31 Oct 64 - 14 Nov 64
The Dalek Invasion of Earth: 21 Nov 64 - 26 Dec 64
The Rescue: 02 Jan 65 - 09 Jan 65
The Romans: 16 Jan 65 - 06 Feb 65
The Web Planet: 13 Feb 65 - 20 Mar 65
The Crusade: 27 Mar 65 - 17 Apr 65
The Space Museum: 24 Apr 65 - 15 May 65
The Chase: 22 May 65 - 26 Jun 65
The Time Meddler: 03 Jul 65 - 24 Jul 65
Season 3
Galaxy 4: 11 Sep 65 - 02 Oct 65
Mission to the Unknown: 09 Oct 65
The Myth Makers: 16 Oct 65 - 06 Nov 65
The Daleks' Masterplan: 13 Nov 65 - 29 Jan 66
The Massacre of St. Bartholomew's Eve: 05 Feb 66 - 26 Feb 66
The Ark: 05 Mar 66 - 26 Mar 66
The Celestial Toymaker: 02 Apr 66 - 23 Apr 66
The Gunfighters: 30 Apr 66 - 21 May 66
The Savages: 28 May 66 - 18 Jun 66
The War Machines: 25 Jun 66 - 16 Jul 66
Season 4
The Smugglers: 10 Sep 66 - 01 Oct 66
The Tenth Planet: 08 Oct 66 - 29 Oct 66
This book is the first in a series that chronicles, analyses and reviews all of Doctor Who episode-by-episode, as it should have been watched. Doctor Who Episode by Episode - Part 1: The William Hartnell Era - Kindle Edition
William Hartnell's Doctor Who on DVD
Currently Available DVDs
Many of the Doctor Who stories featuring William Hartnell were either wiped by the BBC or lost over the years, so no longer exist. Here is a selection of his episodes currently available through amazon.co.uk
Doctor Who - The Beginning (An Unearthly Child [1963] / The Daleks [1963] / The Edge of Destruction [1964]) [DVD]
Doctor Who - The Keys Of Marinus [DVD]
Doctor Who: The War Machines [DVD]
Doctor Who - The Space Museum/The Chase [DVD]
Doctor Who - Lost In Time [DVD] [1963]
Doctor Who: The Rescue & The Romans [DVD]
Doctor Who - The Aztecs [1964] [DVD]
Doctor Who - The Dalek Invasion Of Earth [1964] [DVD]
Doctor Who - The Web Planet [DVD]
The TARDIS Arrives
Time and Relative Dimension in Space
Doctor Who on eBay
The William Hartnell Years
The First Doctor's Companions
William Russell (Ian) and Jacqueline Hill (Barbara), pictured here in the background, would join William Hartnell's Doctor and his granddaughter, Susan (Carole Ann Ford, foreground) as the weary companions who are thrust into adventures in time and space, travelling in a London police box (the Tardis). All three would eventually leave by the end of the second season.
They would be replaced by cast members Maureen O'Brien (Vicki), Peter Purves (Steven Taylor) - pictured above - Adrienne Hill (Katarina), Jean Marsh (Sara Kingdom), Jackie Lane (Dodo), Anneke Wills (Polly) and Michael Craze (Ben Jackson) - all pictured below.
Season 2 Episode: The Time Meddler
![Doctor Who - The Time Meddler [1965] [DVD]](http://squidutils.com/uk/bB0010S3PUS.jpg)
Blogging About Doctor Who
The Latest Hartnell Headlines
- Comic Review: The Cast Of Doctor Who
- Overall, the comic examines William Hartnell as the First Doctor, Tom Baker as the Fourth Doctor, Paul McGann as the Eighth Doctor, and Matt Smith as the current Eleventh Doctor. The Cast Of Doctor Who functions mainly to provide some background ...
- DWM #448: Ian Chesterton Returns
- As well as a free download of his audio drama, the mag features an interview with William Russell who states: ?William Hartnell never forgave me for leaving. He couldn't understand it.? There's also a new interview with Neil ?The Doctor's Wife? Gaiman ...
- Classic Doctor Who Retrospective: Season 1
- I feel that it doesn't do a good enough job in establishing the Doctor (William Hartnell) and Susan (Carol Ann Ford) as characters and the concept is stretched a couple of episodes too long. As a result, it's my second least favourite serial of the ...
- Doctor Who & Star Trek Assimilation 2: The Cybermen Rise Again
- The Doctor?then in his first incarnation, portrayed by William Hartnell?along with his human companions learned that the Cybermen were once humanoid but adopted cybernetic implants as their bodies began to wear out. Most telling, however, was that in ...
Doctor Who on iTunes
Enjoy the Doctor Who Theme by downloading these digital options directly to your favourite mp3 player.
| Track | Artist | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Theme From Doctor Who | TV Sounds Unlimited | Greatest TV Themes: The 60s | |
| Doctor Who Theme | Murray Gold & BBC National Orchestra of Wales | Doctor Who (Original Television Soundtrack) | |
| Doctor Who Theme (TV Version) | Murray Gold & BBC National Orchestra of Wales | Doctor Who (Original Television Soundtrack) | |
| 'Doctor Who' | The International TV Orchestra | The Ultimate TV Themes Colllection: Classics | |
| Theme from Doctor Who | TV Sounds Unlimited | British TV Classics |
Your Opinion About the First Dr Who
William Hartnell Was the Best Doctor?
Yes, the original and the best!
No, I prefer another Doctor!
Lemming13 says:
I loved Hartnell, but my favourite has to be Patrick Troughton.
JMaltman says:
He had his charm, but I've liked almost every Doctor since even more. I've watched every episode from #1 through the early Tom Baker years in sequence over the past 6 years or so, and I found I like my Doctor less crotchety than Hartnell's portrayal.
Searching For the First Doctor Who?
The Latest Doctor Who Headlines
Official BBC Site
- May 16, 2012 @ 8:00 pmRSS Feeds: The Way Forward from BBC Doctor Who
- We've made some changes to the Doctor Who site and if you're a subscriber to the Doctor Who News RSS Feed, these will affect you... but don't worry! You can re-subscribe to receive on-going RSS update...
- May 15, 2012 @ 8:00 pmHelp Make History! from BBC Doctor Who
- A few weeks ago we asked you to share your thoughts on which figure from history you'd like the Doctor to meet...
- May 14, 2012 @ 8:00 pmDark Day: What Do You Think Happened? from BBC Doctor Who
- On May 19th, 1780, darkness fell across vast swathes of New England and Canada...
- May 10, 2012 @ 8:00 pmFirst Eleven! from BBC Doctor Who
- Fish fingers and custard! The Master! Regeneration and Amy Pond... It can only be The End of Time, Part Two and The Eleventh Hour!
- May 3, 2012 @ 8:00 pmThe Journey Continues! from BBC Doctor Who
- BBC Three are nearing the end of their cruise through the Tenth Doctor's adventures...
- May 2, 2012 @ 8:00 pmRemembering Delia Derbyshire from BBC Doctor Who
- Delia Derbyshire, the sound pioneer who helped realise the original theme music for Doctor Who, would have been 75 years old this weekend.
- Apr 30, 2012 @ 8:00 pmAwards Update from BBC Doctor Who
- We're delighted to confirm that the most recently launched Doctor Who Adventure Game, The Gunpowder Plot...
- Apr 27, 2012 @ 11:30 amTurn Right, Donna! from BBC Doctor Who
- Turn back the clock with Turn Left - an adventure that opens with the apparent death of the Doctor...
- Apr 26, 2012 @ 8:00 pmHappy Birthday, Russell! from BBC Doctor Who
- Many happy returns to Doctor Who's former Executive Producer and lead writer, Russell T Davies!
About This Doctor Who Fan
My first memories of watching Doctor Who were from behind the couch, as a kid in the 1960s. I have been hooked ever since, even now.
With each article, Richard invites you to step into his world of music, television and entertainment. He will introduce you to The Top 10 Albums in the UK, share The 20 Scariest Film Scores Ever? and even give you an up close look at some classical actors like Christopher Lee as Dracula.
For a complete list of Richard's articles on Squidoo, please visit Waxing-Lyrical on Squidoo.
Photo Credit
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Are You A William Hartnell Fan?
Your Thoughts About the First Dr Who
Thank you for visiting this page about the first Doctor Who, William Hartnell. I hope you enjoyed your stay and look forward to reading your comments here in the guest book.
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Lemming13 Nov 25, 2011 @ 9:40 am | delete
- Lovely tribute to a dear man and a great Doctor.
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jptanabe
Sep 25, 2011 @ 3:55 pm | delete
- You brought back great memories of the original Dr Who!
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poddys Sep 25, 2011 @ 3:04 pm | delete
- William Hartnell for me is the real Doctor. I remember watching the very first episode, was I really 9 years old? I remember seeing it again when it was re-aired, and enjoyed that first series set in the Stone Age. Then the Daleks! Oh boy I hid behind the chair, it was scary back then. Great memories...
My ex-in-laws recently sold their house in London which had a Blue Plaque, which was unveiled in the 1970's by Tom Baker.
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clouda9
Sep 25, 2011 @ 2:04 pm | delete
- I had no clue that Dr. Who has been on the air since the 60's...wow! My son is recording the newer series, not my cup of tea but he is enjoying the quirkiness of the show.
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tokyonights7
Sep 25, 2011 @ 11:52 am | delete
- I've never seen the early Dr. Who episodes, actually! I should give them a try. The recent ones I really enjoy.
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Tipi
Jul 18, 2011 @ 9:43 am | delete
- I never did get into Dr. Who all that much, but have enjoyed the character.
Dr. Who is entertaining and so it this page.
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Titania
May 22, 2011 @ 7:54 am | delete
- I really love William Hartnell as Dr Who. Out of the original doctors, William and Tom Baker are my faves. Out of the newer Doctors I loved Paul McGann, Christopher Eccleston and David Tennant. Vive La Doctor!
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axiomsedge
Mar 3, 2011 @ 9:36 am | delete
- Just wanted to let you know that your page has been included in our list of Squidoo Sci Fi/Fantasy Lenses over at A Lens on Sci Fi (www.squidoo.com/a-lens-on-sci-fi). Go there to vote for your lens and to submit others that genre fans will like.
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Treasures-By-Brenda
Sep 27, 2010 @ 3:17 pm | delete
- No, I'm not too familiar with Doctor Who...other than the fact that there were oodles of books printed along with the television shows. I'm emailing this lens to my son who is reading the seven boxes of Doctor Who books that I purchased this summer. He'll enjoy it.
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_Joan_
Sep 7, 2010 @ 9:44 am | delete
- I've never gotten acquainted with Dr. Who before, but now I'm itching to check out some episodes with my kids! GreekGeek suggested this lens for a blessing, and she was right. This lens is blessed and will be featured at SquidAngel At Your Service.
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by Waxing-Lyrical
A long time fan of the science fiction series, Doctor Who, including the first Doctor - William Hartnell.
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