90-567: William Henry Hartnell ( / ˈ h ɑːr t n ə l / ; 8 January 1908 – 23 April 1975) was an English actor, who is best known for portraying the first incarnation of the Doctor , in the long-running British science-fiction television series Doctor Who from 1963 to 1966; he reprised the role in 1972–1973. In film, Hartnell notably appeared in Brighton Rock (1949), The Mouse That Roared (1959) and This Sporting Life (1963). He
180-513: A Victorian , someone kind of stern and paterfamilias about him. Something kind but scary". One quirk of the First Doctor was his tendency to become occasionally tongue-tied and stumble over words. Sometimes this was a deliberate acting choice: William Russell recalls that it was Hartnell's idea for the Doctor to get Ian Chesterton's surname wrong, calling him "Chesserman", "Chatterton" and even "Charterhouse". This character choice also gave
270-474: A monocle , a carved wooden cane , an opera cape , a scarf , a hat in Astrakhan fur or, in warmer climes, a Panama hat . In " An Unearthly Child ", he was seen smoking a large bent tobacco pipe , making him the only incarnation of the Doctor to be seen smoking ; it is assumed that he gave up after that serial. In the original version of the first episode, Hartnell wore a contemporary (1960s) suit. Among
360-459: A B film, Waterfront (1950) with Robert Newton and Richard Burton. The Telegraph critic announced, "I can only burn my boats and prophesy that young Michael Anderson is possibly the most promising discovery since Carol Reed and David Lean ." Anderson followed his first at bat with some more B movies: Hell Is Sold Out (1951) for producer Raymond Stross; Night Was Our Friend (1952) and Dial 17 (1952). In early 1952 he co directed
450-533: A Day (1940), Freedom Radio (1940), Quiet Wedding (1941), Cottage to Let (1941) and Jeannie (1941). He was unit manager as well as actor on In Which We Serve (1942) and was assistant director on Unpublished Story (1942). Anderson served with the Royal Corps of Signals during the Second World War, during which time he met Peter Ustinov . On demobilisation, Anderson returned to
540-505: A Time " and in the 2022 Thirteenth Doctor episode " The Power of the Doctor ", the latter previously having portrayed Hartnell himself in the 2013 biopic An Adventure in Space and Time . Within the series' narrative, the Doctor is a centuries-old alien Time Lord from the planet Gallifrey who travels in time and space in the TARDIS , frequently with companions . At the end of life,
630-470: A Time", writer Steven Moffat has the Doctor express to a variation of his future companion Bill Potts that he had left Gallifrey, among other reasons, to investigate why good prevails in a universe where evil would seem to have so many advantages. As Bill reflected that none of the First Doctor's future incarnations recognized this fact, the Twelfth Doctor surmised that he and his incarnations were
720-515: A biography entitled Who's There? The Life and Career of William Hartnell , first published in 1996 by Virgin Publishing . To mark the 50th anniversary of Doctor Who Carney, with Fantom Publishing, revised and republished the book in 2013. For the 50th anniversary of Doctor Who in 2013, the BBC broadcast An Adventure in Space and Time , a dramatisation of the events surrounding the creation of
810-519: A different one (colourised footage taken from The Aztecs ). He is also seen for a brief second wandering around the Doctor's mind in the end of "The Name of the Doctor", although this time a double was used. He also makes a brief appearance (again using a double) during Missy 's exposition of the Twelfth Doctor 's battle with android assassins (" The Witch's Familiar "). In Dimensions in Time
900-488: A duty and that he himself preferred to visit church in solitude. Hartnell's health had worsened during the early 1970s and, in December 1974, he was admitted to hospital indefinitely. In early 1975, he suffered a series of strokes, brought on by cerebrovascular disease , and he died in his sleep in hospital from heart failure on 23 April 1975, at the age of 67. Hartnell's granddaughter, Judith "Jessica" Carney, published
990-420: A fall and was kicked by a horse. Disinfectant was applied to the open wound to cleanse it. However, the disinfectant was of a type unsuitable for first aid purposes and caused blisters. The result was a more serious wound than what would have otherwise occurred. Hartnell was left with a large scar on his temple, which is visible in some of his stills shots even though it was covered with make-up during filming. He
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#17327918420631080-548: A feeling of astonishment and it's never quite left me." MGM also financed Anderson's next film, the melodrama All the Fine Young Cannibals (1960) with Natalie Wood and Robert Wagner . Anderson was reunited with Cooper in The Naked Edge (1961) which turned out to be Cooper's last film. Harold Pinter wrote The Servant for Anderson but the director was unable to secure finance so he sold
1170-501: A film before returning with Pope Joan (1972) and The Devil's Impostor (1972). For George Pal he made Doc Savage: The Man of Bronze (1975) then did Conduct Unbecoming (1975). Logan's Run (1976), about a futuristic society where humanity is imprisoned in a death trap sealed dome controlled by a computer, was an expensive box-office success, earning $ 50 million worldwide and boosting sales for its distributor, Metro Goldwyn Mayer . Anderon's old friend Peter Ustinov played
1260-670: A future space pilot named Steven Taylor , who had been captured by the robot Mechanoids but escaped due to the Dalek attack. The Doctor met another member of his own race for the first time in the form of the Meddling Monk and had an adventure in Galaxy 4 . During the siege of Troy , Vicki decided to leave the TARDIS to stay with Troilus , adopting the name Cressida. The Doctor and Steven were next briefly joined by Trojan slave Katarina and
1350-456: A life for herself on 22nd century Earth ( The Dalek Invasion of Earth ), although he promised to return some day. The Doctor, Ian and Barbara were then joined by Vicki , whom they saved in The Rescue from the planet Dido. At the conclusion of a chase through time by Daleks, Ian and Barbara used the Dalek time machine to go home ( The Chase ), and their place in the TARDIS was taken by
1440-434: A personal level". Val Speyer said that while Hartnell claimed not to like foreigners, "as one of his greatest friends on the show was half Greek and half Maltese, I didn't see how this could figure. However, if he liked someone, they weren't a foreigner, they were a friend!" Hartnell's deteriorating health (undiagnosed arteriosclerosis ) began to affect his ability to learn his lines, with the problem increasing as his time on
1530-424: A regular salary of £315 an episode by 1966 (in the era of 48 weeks per year production on the series), equivalent to £7,412 in 2023. By comparison, in 1966 his co-stars Anneke Wills and Michael Craze were earning £68 and £52 per episode at the same time, respectively. Throughout his tenure as the Doctor, Hartnell wore a wig when playing the part, as the character had long hair. Hartnell described his character
1620-600: A security agent from 4000 AD Sara Kingdom , but both were killed during the events of The Daleks' Master Plan , where the Daleks plotted to invade Earth's Solar System in 4000 AD, before being destroyed when the Doctor activated their weapon the Time Destructor. Due to this he was aged significantly; the effects on Sara were enough to reduce her to dust. After narrowly missing the Massacre of St Bartholomew's Eve ,
1710-586: A small role. Anderson then directed Orca (1977) and Dominique (1978). In 1981, Anderson moved to Canada, where his then-wife was from, and became a Canadian citizen. "It's the best move I ever made", he said in 1986. "There's so much talent, it's exciting, clean, young, fresh and it's been very good to me." His later work was mostly made-for-television miniseries, including The Martian Chronicles (1980), Sword of Gideon (1986), Young Catherine (1991), The Sea Wolf (1993), Rugged Gold (1994), Captain's Courageous (1996) and 20,000 Leagues Under
1800-550: A stage revue in London, The Irving Revue . In April 1952 Anderson signed a contract with Associated British Picture Corporation (ABPC) for whom he wound up making five films. The first was a comedy, Will Any Gentleman...? (1953), based on a stage success. It was followed by The House of the Arrow (1953). The third was the war film The Dam Busters (1955), starring Richard Todd . Todd recalled when first told Anderson
1890-572: A third film with Richard Todd, a thriller, Chase a Crooked Shadow (1958); this was his fifth and last movie for Associated British. In Ireland Anderson made a thriller about the IRA with James Cagney , Shake Hands with the Devil (1959). It was made for Pennebaker, the company of Marlon Brando and provided an early role to Richard Harris . Anderson then took over a project at MGM originally planned as an Alfred Hitchcock project, The Wreck of
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#17327918420631980-524: A town councillor in the Boulting brothers ' film Heavens Above! (1963), again with Sellers. His first regular role on television was as Sergeant Major Percy Bullimore in The Army Game in 1957. He left after the first season and returned for the final season in 1961. Again, although it was a comedy series, he found himself cast in a "tough guy" role. He also appeared in a supporting role in
2070-607: Is scheduled for February 2023, with Noonan starring once again. The First Doctor appeared as one of the “Guardians of the Edge” (played again by David Bradley), in an afterlife, inside the Doctor’s mind in the final Thirteenth Doctor episode, " The Power of the Doctor ". Images of the First Doctor appear in The Power of the Daleks , Day of the Daleks , The Brain of Morbius , Earthshock , Mawdryn Undead , Resurrection of
2160-612: Is similarly reluctant to regenerate. The events they experience convince both Doctors to go through with their regenerations. After returning to his TARDIS and helping Polly and Ben back inside, the Doctor falls unconscious and regenerates. From the beginning, the Doctor was a mysterious figure. He appeared to be a frail old man and yet was possessed of unexpected reserves of strength and will. An early writers' guide by script editor David Whitaker describes "Doctor Who" as "frail-looking but wiry and tough as an old turkey". He obviously held tremendous knowledge of scientific matters, and yet
2250-473: Is still a possibility of these episodes being rediscovered as other lost episodes have been since, but all of Hartnell's episodes do exist in audio form. Hartnell was married to Heather McIntyre from 9 May 1929 until his death. They had a daughter, Heather Anne, and two grandchildren. After living at 51 Church Street, Isleworth , next door to Hugh Blaker, the Hartnells lived on Thames Ditton Island . Then in
2340-839: The Fourth Doctor ( Tom Baker ) refers to the First as "the grumpy one". A sculpture of his head, along with that of the Second Doctor , appears as well. The First Doctor is seen as a sketch in John Smith 's book alongside other past Doctors in the episode " Human Nature ". In " Time Crash ", the Tenth Doctor says to the Fifth , "Back when I first started, at the very beginning, I was always trying to be old and grumpy and important, like you do when you're young." A brief clip of
2430-895: The Imperial Service College , though Hartnell found the strictures too much and ran away. When Hartnell married, he and his wife continued to live in one of Blaker's adjacent properties at Isleworth and their daughter was born there in 1929. Hartnell entered the theatre in 1925 working under Frank Benson as a general stagehand. He appeared in numerous Shakespearian plays, including The Merchant of Venice , Julius Caesar , As You Like It , Hamlet , The Tempest and Macbeth (all 1926). He also appeared in She Stoops to Conquer , The School for Scandal (both 1926) and Good Morning, Bill (1927), before performing in Miss Elizabeth's Prisoner (1928). This play
2520-578: The Ray Bradbury miniseries The Martian Chronicles ), and for a Directors Guild of America Award and the Palme d'Or . In 2012, he received the Directors Guild of Canada 's Lifetime Achievement Award. Anderson was the father of actor Michael Anderson Jr. , and the stepfather of actress Laurie Holden . Anderson was born in London, United Kingdom, to a theatrical family. His parents were
2610-479: The Second Doctor . Due to failing health, however, Hartnell could not participate in any of the regular filming, so his scenes were shot separately at Ealing Studios (not his garden or garage at home, as long suggested by fan legend); in the context of the episode, this is explained as the First Doctor being trapped in a time eddy when he was being sent to assist his future selves, with the result that he can only communicate with his future selves for brief moments over
2700-817: The Second World War , Hartnell attempted to volunteer for the RAF . He served in the British Army in the Tank Corps, but he was invalided out after 18 months as the result of a nervous breakdown and returned to acting. In 1942, he was cast as Albert Fosdike in Noël Coward 's film In Which We Serve . He turned up late for his first day of shooting, and Coward berated him in front of the cast and crew for his unprofessionalism, made him personally apologise to everyone and then sacked him. Michael Anderson , who
2790-506: The TARDIS , which is currently disguised as a police box (Susan notes that it used to be able to change to blend in with its surroundings), and is bigger on the inside. The Doctor describes himself and Susan as "exiles" without specifying why or even whether their exile is self-imposed. It would not be until the last adventure of the Doctor's second incarnation that the name of the Doctor's people (the Time Lords ) would be revealed, and
William Hartnell - Misplaced Pages Continue
2880-479: The series 10 finale " The Doctor Falls ", David Bradley appeared as the First Doctor, confronting his twelfth incarnation as the latter resists his oncoming regeneration. This scene was followed up in the 2017 Christmas special, " Twice Upon a Time ". Bradley had previously portrayed William Hartnell in An Adventure in Space and Time , a 2013 docudrama depicting the creation of Doctor Who . He reprised
2970-446: The third incarnation before the name of his home planet ( Gallifrey ) was first spoken. The series' first episode opens with a pair of schoolteachers in contemporary (1963) London, Ian Chesterton and Barbara Wright , investigating the mystery of Susan, a student who seems confused and even frustrated at how what she is learning in history and especially mathematics seems to be wrong. Following Susan to her supposed home, they discover
3060-439: The "heavy". In 1947 he was cast in a major role in the Boulting brothers classic gangster film noir Brighton Rock , playing the tough gang underboss, Dallow. In 1958, he played the sergeant in the first Carry On comedy film, Carry On Sergeant . He appeared as serjeant-at-arms of Grand Fenwick Will Buckley, another military character, in the film The Mouse That Roared (1959), which starred Peter Sellers , and he played
3150-491: The 1960 play written by Karol Wojtyła, who, by the time the film was made, had become Pope John Paul II . In 1998, he said "I honestly feel like a teenager", and had no intention of retiring. Despite this statement, his last film credit would end up being The New Adventures of Pinocchio (1999). In 2012, Michael Anderson received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Directors Guild of Canada . At
3240-534: The 1960s they moved to a cottage in Mayfield , Sussex. They lived in later life at Sheephurst Lane in Marden, Kent . Heather Hartnell died in 1984. Asked about his religious beliefs in an interview for The Sunday Times in 1966, Hartnell claimed to "have a natural belief there is something or someone great that exists beyond [his] comprehension", further stating that he did not believe that going to church should be
3330-553: The Big Finish audio drama The Light at the End the First Doctor is portrayed by William Russell , who also played Ian Chesterton in both the show and the audio dramas. Russell and fellow co-star Peter Purves (who played Steven Taylor) have performed numerous other audio plays set during this era, usually narrating the stories and doing an impression (rather than an impersonation) of the Doctor's voice while reciting his lines. In
3420-548: The British Army's Royal Signals Corps , he met Peter Ustinov and subsequently assisted him on two films. Anderson appeared in two films as an actor: as Oily Boyd in Housemaster (1938); and as Marine Albert Fosdick in Noël Coward 's In Which We Serve (1942). He joined Elstree Studios as a production runner in 1936 and became an assistant director by 1938. His credits as assistant director include Spy for
3510-485: The British box office in 1955. Todd worked twice more with Anderson, calling him "a supremely authoritative, quiet, collected director who knew exactly what he wanted and what he could get out of his actors. He only had to give me a little quiet guidance, and we worked together very well." Anderson followed this with the first cinema adaptation of George Orwell 's 1984 (1956), co-financed by American interests. It
3600-452: The Daleks , " The Next Doctor ", " The Eleventh Hour ", " The Vampires of Venice ", " Vincent and the Doctor ", " The Lodger ", " Nightmare in Silver ", " The Timeless Children ", " Rogue " and The Sarah Jane Adventures story Death of the Doctor . In the episode " The Name of the Doctor ", he is seen stealing a TARDIS along with Susan Foreman , before Clara Oswald tells him to steal
3690-543: The Daleks in " Into the Dalek ". A portrait of the First Doctor is hanging in a UNIT safe house in " The Zygon Invasion ". In " The Devil's Chord " the Fifteenth Doctor visits 1963 and points out the Totters Lane junkyard off in the distance from atop EMI Recording Studios , saying he lived there with his granddaughter Susan. In " Rogue ", the First Doctor's face is among the holograms the Doctor shows to
William Hartnell - Misplaced Pages Continue
3780-419: The Doctor regenerates ; as a result, the physical appearance and personality of the Doctor changes. The concept of regeneration, initially referred to as a "renewal", was introduced when Hartnell left the series due to his increasingly bad health, consequently extending the series' life into the following century, with Hartnell being succeeded by the Second Doctor ( Patrick Troughton ). Hartnell's portrayal of
3870-505: The Doctor and Steven took on board a young girl named Dodo Chaplet . Dodo brought a cold virus to the far future, which nearly annihilated the humans and Monoids travelling on The Ark . It was cured and when the TARDIS arrived on the Ark 700 years later the TARDIS crew helped the humans reach their destination, the Monoids having taken over the Ark. One of the First Doctor's most deadly foes
3960-509: The Doctor as "a wizard ", and "a cross between the Wizard of Oz and Father Christmas ". According to William Russell , Hartnell deliberately became occasionally tongue-tied and stumbled over words. According to some of his colleagues on Doctor Who , Hartnell could be a difficult person to work with; among the more caustic accounts, Nicholas Courtney and Wills described Hartnell as being racist and antisemitic . Hussein stated that Hartnell
4050-522: The Doctor encountered in piloting it correctly. He was abrasive, patronising, and cantankerous towards his human travelling companions, yet shared a deep emotional bond with his granddaughter Susan. He also harboured a streak of ruthlessness, being willing to lie—and in one case attempt to kill—to achieve his goals. Initially, he distrusted his first two human companions, Ian Chesterton and Barbara Wright , who were forced on him. Over time, however, as they shared adventures together, he grew closer to them, and
4140-663: The Doctor first met the Daleks and the Cybermen , races that would become his most implacable foes. The TARDIS crew also observed many historical events such as the Reign of Terror in revolutionary France , meeting Marco Polo in China and The Aztecs in Mexico . When Susan fell in love with the human resistance fighter David Campbell, the Doctor left her behind to allow her to build
4230-531: The First Doctor from The Time Meddler appears in both " The Next Doctor " and in " The Eleventh Hour ". In a clip from " The Vampires of Venice " the Eleventh Doctor shows his library card , which contains a photograph of the First Doctor and the address of 76 Totters Lane. In " Vincent and the Doctor ", both the First and Second Doctors appear on a printout when the Eleventh Doctor has
4320-444: The First Doctor is depicted stealing the TARDIS in its original form, picked out by future companion Clara Oswald . In " The Day of the Doctor ", the First Doctor is shown along with the other twelve doctors as they move Gallifrey to a single moment in time. He was voiced by John Guilor , over archival footage of Hartnell. A child version of the character appears in " Listen " (2014), portrayed by an uncredited Michael Jones. In
4410-554: The Mary Deare (1959), with Gary Cooper and Charlton Heston . Anderson later recalled in 1986, "The magic I remember most is walking on to stage 30 in Culver City at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. It was the biggest stage in the world and I remember looking at it and thinking I'll be here in a couple of weeks and they'll have built a ship and I'll be directing Gary Cooper and Charlton Heston – it's all going to be mine. It gave me such
4500-627: The Sea (1997). His feature work in Canada included, Murder by Phone (1982), the New Zealand film, Second Time Lucky (1984), Separate Vacations (1986), Summer of the Monkeys (1998), Millennium (1989) and The Grand Defiance (1993), as well as episodes of the television anthology series Scales of Justice . He directed Bottega dell'orefice ( The Jeweler's Shop , 1988), based on
4590-477: The TARDIS crew came to share almost a family bond. When proven wrong after accusing Ian and Barbara of sabotaging the TARDIS in The Edge of Destruction , the initially irascible and slightly sinister Doctor humbly apologised, especially after seeing that Barbara had been hurt by his accusations. The Doctor realised he could rely on Ian and Barbara, sealing a friendship which lasts until their eventual departure from
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#17327918420634680-461: The TARDIS identify him. In " The Big Bang ", the Eleventh Doctor briefly mentions the First while bidding his farewell to a sleeping Amy Pond , referring to him as "the daft old man who stole a magic box and ran away". In " The Rings of Akhaten ", the Eleventh Doctor mentions that he had visited Akhaten with his granddaughter, presumably as the First Doctor. The Twelfth Doctor refers to his first incarnation's initial lack of altruism prior to meeting
4770-410: The TARDIS in a junkyard, surprising both Susan and her grandfather the Doctor, who launches the ship in response to the discovery. Ian and Barbara are involuntarily taken on a journey back to the year 100,000 BC and spend two years adventuring through time and space with the Doctor, who at this point in the series has no control over the navigation systems of the TARDIS. It was as this incarnation that
4860-505: The TARDIS monitor while sitting in a capsule. William Hartnell died in 1975, so for the 20th anniversary special " The Five Doctors " in 1983, the role of the First Doctor was played by Richard Hurndall . At the beginning of the programme a film insert of Hartnell's Doctor taken from The Dalek Invasion of Earth was used. In " The Name of the Doctor ", which combined stock footage of Hartnell with Carole Ann Ford in CGI and newly shot footage,
4950-424: The TARDIS, with the relationship between the Doctor and Barbara being mutually respectful and increasingly affectionate. Eventually, the Doctor began to enjoy his travels through time and space, taking people along for the ride and was always reluctant and sad to see them go, even when he knew it was for their own good. The Doctor's personality mellowed around the time of the serial Marco Polo , and he evolved into
5040-763: The World War II film The Dam Busters (1955), the dystopian sci-fi film Logan's Run (1976), and the comedy adventure epic Around the World in 80 Days (1956), which won the 1957 Academy Award for Best Picture . Anderson received nominations for the Best Director Oscar and the Golden Globe for Best Director for Around the World in 80 Days . He was twice nominated for the Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation (for Logan's Run and for
5130-562: The actors Lawrence (1893–1939) and Beatrice Anderson (1893–1977). His great-aunt was Mary Anderson of Louisville, Kentucky , who became one of the first US Shakespearean actresses; the Mary Anderson Theatre in Louisville was dedicated to her. He began working in the industry as an actor during the 1930s. By 1938, he had graduated to working behind the camera as an assistant director. During World War II, while serving in
5220-543: The bounty hunter Rogue to prove he is not a shapeshifting Chuldur. Michael Anderson (director) Michael Joseph Anderson Sr (30 January 1920 – 25 April 2018) was an English film and television director. His career spanned nearly 50 years across three countries, working at various times in the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada. His most critically and commercially successful works include
5310-690: The character was initially a stubborn and abrasive old man who was distrustful of humans, but ultimately mellowed out into a more compassionate, grandfatherly figure who adored his travels with his companions. The First Doctor's original companions were his granddaughter Susan Foreman ( Carole Ann Ford ) and her schoolteachers Ian Chesterton ( William Russell ) and Barbara Wright ( Jacqueline Hill ). In later episodes, he travelled alongside 25th-century orphan Vicki ( Maureen O'Brien ), space pilot Steven Taylor ( Peter Purves ), Trojan handmaiden Katarina ( Adrienne Hill ), and sixties flower child Dodo Chaplet ( Jackie Lane ). His final on-screen companions were
5400-554: The film industry working as an assistant director on Ustinov's films School for Secrets (1946) and Vice Versa (1947). He was also an assistant director on Fame is the Spur (1947), One Night with You (1947) and Mr. Perrin and Mr. Traill (1948). Anderson and Ustinov then wrote and directed a feature together, Private Angelo (1949). "He's an old friend of mine and we've always got each other out of difficulties," said Ustinov. Anderson made his solo directorial debut with
5490-543: The film version of This Sporting Life (1963), giving a sensitive performance as an ageing rugby league talent scout known as "Dad". Hartnell described himself as "a legitimate character actor of the theatre and film". Hartnell's performance in This Sporting Life was liked by Verity Lambert , the producer who was setting up a new science-fiction television series for the BBC entitled Doctor Who ; mainly on
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#17327918420635580-410: The first three series from 1963 to 1966 and the tenth anniversary story The Three Doctors from 1972 to 1973. The character would occasionally appear in the series after Hartnell's death, most prominently as portrayed by Richard Hurndall in the 1983 multi-doctor special " The Five Doctors ", and as portrayed by David Bradley in the 2017 Twelfth Doctor episodes " The Doctor Falls " and " Twice Upon
5670-578: The identity of his father, whose particulars were left blank on his birth certificate, despite his efforts to trace him. In various interviews, he claimed that he was born in Seaton, Devon , and that his father was a dairy farmer, but later said he was a soldier turned stockbroker. Hartnell was brought up partly by a foster mother, and also spent many holidays in Devon with his mother's family of farmers, from whom he learned to ride horses. Reportedly, Hartnell had
5760-417: The many changes made to the episode in reshooting was the Doctor's (and Susan's) clothes. The debut of the Daleks in the second serial turned the programme from a children's series to a national phenomenon. It soon became a show that the whole family gathered to watch, with monsters that children viewed from between their fingers or from behind the sofa . Scripts filled with far-out concepts compensated for
5850-399: The more familiar compassionate grandfatherly figure that children loved, and was protective of the young women he took on as companions; they reminded him of his granddaughter, Susan. William Hartnell described the Doctor as "a wizard ", and "a cross between the Wizard of Oz and Father Christmas ". Paul McGann , who played a later incarnation of the Doctor, said Hartnell's "seemed like
5940-458: The reason for the universe's balance between good and evil. Hartnell's costume was hired from Nathans, a theatrical costuming company. The overall look is Victorian - Edwardian : a black frock coat and a light yellow tweed waistcoat over a wing-collared shirt; usually a dark blue ascot tie or ribbon tie and tartan trousers. Hartnell also wore a ring with a large blue stone and a white wig. Additional accessories seen from time to time are
6030-520: The relatively low budget and unsophisticated special effects, laying the foundation for decades of stories to come. Despite the regeneration television audiences would see the First Doctor on screen for several more occasions (not counting flashbacks or charity specials like Dimensions in Time ). For the 10th anniversary of the programme in 1973, Hartnell appeared in The Three Doctors , which also saw Patrick Troughton reprise his role as
6120-498: The role because it led him away from the gruff, military parts in which he had become typecast , and, having two grandchildren of his own, he came to relish particularly the attention and affection that playing the character brought him from children. An obituary would state how delighted Hartnell was to get the role of the Doctor at the age of 55 after a career of "playing what he called bastards." His first episode of Doctor Who aired on 23 November 1963. Doctor Who earned Hartnell
6210-503: The role of the First Doctor for a series of audio stories released by Big Finish, titled " The First Doctor Adventures ", starting in January 2018. April 2022 saw Big Finish release a box set of audio dramas starring Stephen Noonan as the First Doctor. Nicholas Briggs has expressed interest in producing further stories with David Bradley . Stephen Noonan also expressed interest in returning for future boxsets. Another First Doctor boxset
6300-439: The script to Joseph Losey , who filmed it with great success in 1963.. Anderson made some films for Harold Hecht : Flight from Ashiya (1964), an adventure tale, and Wild and Wonderful (1964), a comedy with Tony Curtis . For MGM and Carlo Ponti he directed the war time thriller Operation Crossbow (1965). Anderson made a spy thriller The Quiller Memorandum (1966), starring George Segal and Alec Guinness . He
6390-510: The series progressed. In addition, he had a poor relationship with a new production team on the series following the departure of Lambert. He left Doctor Who in 1966. When he departed, Lambert came up with the idea that, since the Doctor is an alien, he could transform himself physically, thereby renewing himself. Hartnell suggested his successor; "There's only one man in England who can take over, and that's Patrick Troughton ." Hartnell departed
6480-403: The series' producers the ability to use takes in which Hartnell flubbed his lines. Due to the series' tight production schedule, it was rarely possible to reshoot such scenes and dubbing the dialogue was usually not an option. Hartnell suffered from undiagnosed arteriosclerosis , which affected his ability to remember lines, increasingly so as his time on the series progressed. In "Twice Upon
6570-406: The series, which had David Bradley portraying Hartnell. A blue plaque marking Hartnell's work in film and television was unveiled at Ealing Studios by Carney on 14 October 2018. First Doctor The First Doctor is the original incarnation of the Doctor , the protagonist of the British science fiction television series Doctor Who . He was portrayed by actor William Hartnell in
6660-420: The show in the serial The Tenth Planet where the First Doctor regenerates into Troughton's Second Doctor . Hartnell reprised the role in the tenth anniversary story The Three Doctors from 1972 to 1973. When Hartnell's wife Heather found out about his planned involvement, she informed the show's crew that his failing memory and weakening health would prevent him from starring in the special. An agreement
6750-426: The strength of that performance, Lambert offered him the title role . Although Hartnell was initially uncertain about accepting a part in what was pitched to him as a children's series, in part due to his success in films, Lambert and director Waris Hussein convinced him to take the part, and it became the character for which he gained the highest profile and is now most remembered. Hartnell later revealed that he took
6840-478: The supercomputer WOTAN. The Doctor was then joined by upper-class secretary Polly and sailor Ben Jackson . The toll of years put strain on the Doctor's elderly frame. After defeating the Cybermen at the Antarctic Snowcap Station ( The Tenth Planet ), the Doctor was fearfully reluctant to regenerate when he crossed paths with one of his future incarnations (" Twice Upon a Time "), who
6930-463: The time of his death, Anderson was the oldest living nominee for an Academy Award for Best Director , and the only surviving director whose film won a Best Picture award in the 1950s. Anderson was married three times: His son Michael Anderson Jr. , is an actor who appeared in Logan's Run and The Martian Chronicles ; another son, David Anderson, is a film producer. Anderson died on 25 April 2018 at
7020-426: The working class sailor Ben Jackson ( Michael Craze ) and the sophisticated socialite Polly ( Anneke Wills ). Of the 134 episodes Hartnell appeared in as a regular, 44 are missing . The First Doctor is a character shrouded in mystery; little is known about him at the outset except that he has a granddaughter, Susan Foreman , and that they come from their own planet. He has a ship that travels through time and space,
7110-460: Was homophobic , but also said "I never allowed him to think of me as anything other than a director". They enjoyed a good working relationship and Hussein developed a "great affection" for Hartnell; Hussein said Hartnell was upset when Hussein left the show. Hartnell's granddaughter, Jessica Carney, wrote that Hartnell was very bigoted and often made xenophobic comments but that "all those loudly expressed opinions were contradicted by his behaviour on
7200-400: Was a commercial failure, despite shooting a "happier" ending for the United States release. Anderson was then called in to direct Around the World in 80 Days (1956), after original director John Farrow had a falling out with producer Mike Todd . Todd reportedly hired him on the strength of The Dam Busters and the recommendation of Noël Coward . The film was a huge hit and Anderson
7290-479: Was a second cousin of the fashion designer Norman Hartnell . Hartnell left school without prospects and dabbled in petty crime. At the age of 16, he met the art collector Hugh Blaker , who later became his unofficial guardian, arranged for him to train as a jockey, and helped him to enter the Italia Conti Academy . Theatre being a passion of Blaker's, he paid for Hartnell to receive some "polish" at
7380-463: Was associated with military roles, playing Company Sergeant Major Percy Bullimore in the ITV sitcom The Army Game (1957, 1961) and Sergeant Grimshaw, the title character in the first Carry On film Carry On Sergeant (1958). Hartnell was born on 8 January 1908 in the slums of the district of St Pancras, London , England, the only child of Lucy Hartnell, an unmarried mother. Hartnell never discovered
7470-400: Was made between the crew and Heather that Hartnell would sit down during the shoot and read his lines from cue cards . His appearance in the story was his final piece of work as an actor due to his declining health. Many of Hartnell's episodes are missing from the archives as a result of the then-standard practice of discarding old content in order to make room for newer ones. However, there
7560-460: Was meant to direct Eye of the Devil but fell ill. For MGM he directed the film The Shoes of the Fisherman (1968), stepping in for Anthony Asquith at the last moment; the film was a flop. He was meant to direct the big screen adaptation of James Clavell 's Tai Pan starring Patrick McGoohan but the film was not made due to high costs. Anderson went for a few years without making
7650-403: Was nominated for an Academy Award (the film won Best Picture) and a Golden Globe for his direction. Todd signed Anderson to a two-picture contract but Todd died in a plane crash in 1958. Anderson was reunited with Richard Todd for another war film Yangtse Incident: The Story of H.M.S. Amethyst (1957) for producer Herbert Wilcox but it was not as popular as The Dam Busters . He made
7740-478: Was the first assistant director , took over the part (and was credited as "Mickey Anderson"). Hartnell continued to play comic characters until he was cast in the robust role of Sergeant Ned Fletcher in The Way Ahead (1944). From then on, his career was defined by playing mainly policemen, soldiers and thugs. This typecasting bothered him, for even when he was cast in comedies he found he invariably played
7830-650: Was the Celestial Toymaker, who forced him and his companions to play deadly games and briefly made the Doctor invisible and mute. Eventually, the Doctor managed to win the Trilogic Game allowing them all to escape the Toymaker's domain. Eventually, Steven and Dodo left the Doctor as well, Steven remaining on an alien planet as a mediator ( The Savages ) between two races, and Dodo deciding to remain on Earth in 1966 to recover from being hypnotised by
7920-413: Was to direct "I thought this was typical ABPC cheese-paring, instead of getting an expensive well-known director. Michael had made only small films before that, having previously been the best first assistant director in the business. But I had dinner with him one night and was totally won over by him. He knew what he was doing and was a delight to work with." The Dam Busters was the most popular movie at
8010-399: Was unable to pilot his TARDIS time ship reliably; his granddaughter Susan explained this by saying that her grandfather was "a bit forgetful"; but the TARDIS required expert piloting and guidance by the Doctor. Its systems would often break down, especially the navigational systems. This, combined with the fact the TARDIS was actually designed for six pilots, would explain the difficulty
8100-479: Was written by Robert Neilson Stephens and E. Lyall Swete. It featured the actress Heather McIntyre, whom he married during the following year. His first of more than 60 film appearances was in Say It With Music (1932). Radio work also featured in his career, with his earliest known performance – in a production of Chinese Moon Party – being broadcast by the BBC on 11 May 1931. From the outbreak of
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