Doctor Who 10x5

1. "The Tardis lands on a cargo-ship, in the Indian Ocean. Or does it?

2. "Fellow passengers act strangely - a monster appears from the deep and alien giants look on dispassionately." (Radio Times)

3. This episode was first shown on 27 January 1973.

4. It was seen by 9.5 million people.

5. The script begins by telling us that "we are outside the gates of a mysterious metallically gleaming city on an alien planet.

6. "Above the city wall is a raised area, the territory of the ruling official caste.

7. "Below around the closed gates are cluttered archways leading to the territory of the lowly Functionaries."

8. The Functionaries are described as "squat and brutish, dressed in rough serviceable working clothes".

9. The lifeless masks made for the Functionaries were all cast from the same mould

10. and had a tendency to come somewhat adrift around the neck-line.

11. The script indicates that Vorg is a "person of dramatic presence,

12. "with fierce eyebrows waxed to a point like Kitchener's moustache".

13. Horatio Herbert Kitchener (1850-1916) Was the heavily-moustached Field Marshal

14. who famously appeared on First World War recruiting posters stating, "Your Country Needs You".

15. It was decided to ignore the description of the pointed, waxed eyebrows,

16. and instead give Vorg a moustache reminiscent of Kitchener's own facial furniture.

17. Barry Letts, who both produced and directed these episodes, greatly disliked the masks for the Functionaries.

18. From the visuals, it isn't immediately clear what this Functionary is supposed to be doing.

19. According to the script, "he dashes off and begins to climb towards the raised area of the Functionaries.

20. "He reaches it and makes for the edge, bent on throwing himself off.

21. "But the other Functionaries appear to grab him, throwing a restraining net over him.

22. "After a struggle they drag him away."

23. It's at this point that Kalik shoots the Functionary down from the upper level.

24. The studio recording of 'Carnival of Monsters' was done in two separate blocks.

25. The first block was on 19 and 20 June 1972 in Studio Four at Television Centre.

26. The second block was recorded on 3 and 4 July in Studio Three.

27. The script describes Shirna as "a very pretty girloid under her multi-coloured make-up".

28. Who are these peculiar newcomers? The scripted description continues:

29. "One glance tells us they are members of Equity Galactic: A second glance that times are hard.

30. "Vorg's golden boots are down at heel and Shirna's fishnets have been cobbled so often the pattern is lost."

31. Here comes the source of the story's title...

32. The line about a "carnival of monsters" is in the script,

33. but the decision to use it as a title was made comparatively late in the production process.

34. Robert Holmes's original outline for the adventure was entitled 'Out of the Labyrinth'.

35. When the storyline was formally commissioned on 6 May 1971, the title was simply 'The Labyrinth'.

36. The scripts were later commissioned under the same name on 24 November.

37. By the time the story entered production in late May 1972,

38. it had changed once again to the descriptive title, 'Peepshow'.

39. The story was structured so that each studio block would use a different group of sets.

40. Hence the original camera scripts for the first block are simply headed 'Ship and Shaft',

41. whilst those for the second block are 'Planet and Caves'.

42. This is the Doctor's first ever mention of Metebelis 3.

43. Three stories later, in the first episode of 'The Green Death',

44. the Doctor manages to make a brief visit to the planet only to find that it's rather more hostile than he'd hoped.

45. The following year, Metebelis 3 was central to the final story of the Pertwee Doctor's era.

46. It took the title role: 'Planet of the Spiders'.

47. The Doctor's attempt to communicate with the chickens

48. was reputedly Robert Holmes's favourite scene in the story.

49. At first, Holmes had planned to have the TARDIS materialise on the deck of the vessel,

50. but on scripting the episodes, he decided to change it to the ship's hold.

51. "Apart from solving a lot of set-design problems," he told script editor Terrance Dicks,

52. "I think a murky hold full of crates offers more scope for action sequences."

53. The exterior shots of the SS Bernice were all shot on board the Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship, Robert Dundas,

54. one of two coastal store carriers built for the Navy in 1938,

55. the other being the RFA Robert Middleton.

56. You'll also notice that all the on board location shots are either filmed very low to the deck,

57. or from a much higher angle, with the camera looking down on the action.

58. This was because the Robert Dundas was actually moored on the River Medway in Kent

59. and Barry Letts was desperately trying to make sure you don't see the urban outline of the Medway towns not far away.

60. Notice that the water's fairly still over the side of the ship,

61. whilst here it appears to be flowing past.

62. We'll see why that was the case a little later when we examine the filming done on board the Robert Dundas.

63. We'll also find out why Jon Pertwee got into trouble during the shoot.

64. "Madrassi" was a slang term used by the British Raj for the people of southern India

65. who were then part of the Madras Presidency.

66. A "Sundowner" is a cocktail made with coconut rum, pineapple juice and Angostura Bitters,

67. although it appears that Major Daly has simply poured himself a measure of spirits.

68. Going by Lieutenant Andrews's measurements,

69. the SS Bernice is somewhat smaller than the real Robert Dundas.

70. The circumference of the Robert Dundas was 468 feet.

71. Twenty times round that deck would have taken you more than a mile and three quarters.

72. The start of Claire's next line is a little obscured at this point.

73. She says, "No, really, I love musical plays. I saw Lady, Be Good four times..."

74. Lady, Be Good was a George and Ira Gershwin musical starring the brother-and-sister duo Fred and Adele Astaire.

75. The musical ran at the Liberty Theatre on Broadway between 1 December 1924 and 12 September 1925.

76. It then transferred to London, opening on 14 April 1926.

77. So Claire Daly must be a well-travelled lady!

78. Can you hear one of the crew dropping their pencil off-set?

79. Major Daly mumbles an unscripted reference to "Chota-peg".

80. This is another word derived from British colonial India,

81. referring to a miniature jug used for individual servings of alcohol.

82. You'll hear it referred to again in a minute when Daly tells Claire that she could do with "a peg".

83. Lieutenant John Andrews is played by lan Marter (1944-86).

84. In 1971, he was the first choice for the regular role of UNIT Captain Mike Yates,

85. but he found himself unable to commit to a long contract and had to drop out of contention.

86. But Barry Letts remembered him, and duly cast him the very next time he had a suitable part to offer.

87. Later, in 1974, Letts found himself in the position to having to cast a new Doctor, when Jon Pertwee left the role.

88. Lan Marter was not on the short-list for that particular part,

89. but since a number of older actors were being considered, it was considered prudent to introduce

90. a new male companion who might, if necessary, be able to take on some of the more physical aspects of the drama.

91. Marter returned to take on this role: Harry Sullivan.

92. He also had an extensive stage career in England, Ireland, and New Zealand,

93. including the title roles in Uncle Vanya and The Hostage, Pozzo in Waiting for Godot, and more than his fair share of nude scenes,

94. in Abelard and Heloise (1971), Plenty (1979), and (on television) The Brothers Grimm (also 1979).

95. Many of the scenes set on Inter Minor were juggled around and pruned during the editing process.

96. This scene was originally supposed to appear in a few minutes' time, after Jo reveals her skeleton keys.

97. The original three-page scene scripted for this point is completely deleted from the completed episode.

98. Following on from the flashing warning light, Vorg realises that there's something loose in circuit three.

99. To clear it he'll need to remove the inspection plate, and he asks Shirna to find the "adjustable faddle".

100. Shirna eyes Kalik and Orum nearby and tells Vorg that she doesn't think that they look very friendly.

101. "They're officials," Vorg replies. "Officials are never friendly."

102. Shirna complains that she should never have allowed Vorg to talk her into coming. They should have stayed on Demos.

103. "My dear child," Vorg says, "once we get out of this immigration area we'll probably have a wonderful time.

104. "They say that this city has no equal anywhere in the Acteon system."

105. "Do you think we'll ever get out of here, Vorg?" asks Shirna. "What?" replies Vorg.

106. "Listen, we're honoured visitors, Shirna, here at the express invitation of their president!"

107. "Well, I don't like the way those two were looking at us", she says.

108. "Nervousness, that's all," replies Vorg. "Don't forget these natives have never seen anyone from another planet."

109. The focus of the scene then moves over to the discussion between Kalik and Orum.

110. "So," says Orum, "these outbreaks of violence among the Functionaries continue to increase, Kalik?"

111. "The rumour has not been denied" he replies.

112. "But surely you know the truth?" Asks Orum. "President Zarb is your brother."

113. "That does not make one part of his... inner circle," says Kalik. "Zarb puts his confidence in those who are old and weak-minded."

114. "You mean like Pletrac?" Orum asks.

115. "That is why he is chairman of this tribunal," replies Kalik. "He has the advantage of age."

116. "He is also an expert on alien life-forms,"says Orum."They have always been his special study."

117. Kalik responds, "Pletrac is soft on aliens. He is entirely unsuitable for this tribunal."

118. "You are opposed to admitting aliens?" Asks Orum.

119. "They have never been allowed on Inter Minor,"replies Kalik,"that is why our world is the cleanest and healthiest in the galaxy.

120. "What will happen if we import a second space plague? What about the danger of spies and alien saboteurs?"

121. "But that is the purpose of this tribunal,"argues Orum:"to screen the immigrants as they arrive."

122. "We must be extremely thorough, Orum," says Kalik. "We cannot afford to take any chances."

123. Cutting back to the passenger saloon on the SS Bernice, Andrews tells the Doctor that the Captain could clap them in irons.

124. "My dear fellow," replies the Doctor, "do you really think that's necessary?"

125. "Not if you start telling the truth," says Andrews.

126. "Oh, stop bullying them, John!" Retorts Claire.

127. "Yes, stop bullying us," agrees Jo.

128. The scene then continues as transmitted with Daly suggesting they settle things over a drink.

129. The Doctor is pretty much spot on here, give or take a little.

130. Around the Bombay area, sunset occurs around 7.15 p.m. In early June.

131. So when they were first brought into the cabin at 7.35 p.m., it should indeed have been dark.

132. At this point, there's a bit more mixing around of scenes.

133. As mentioned previously, the scene showing Pletrac's entrance was originally meant to be seen here.

134. Instead, we suddenly jump to a scene that was recorded as part of Episode 2.

135. Another scene involving the three officials has been entirely deleted.

136. In the original scripted scene, immediately after Orum talks about the Functionaries' use of a hygiene chamber,

137. Pletrac explains that the President feels that the latest "epidemic of anarchy and insurrection"

138. is due to "our Functionary caste feeling a certain lack of variety in life".

139. "They are well fed, and well cared for," Kalik argues.

140. "Perhaps they have other needs," says Pletrac.

141. "Zarb has decided to foster interstellar trade and cultural exchanges in order to broaden the outlook of our people."

142. Observing the Lurmans, Pletrac says that they must collect their data-strips.

143. Orum balks at the idea of physical contact, so Kalik suggests that Pletrac should approach them, as chairman of the tribunal.

144. "One has no fears," says Pletrac. "Your Lurman is a simple fellow.

145. "Good-natured and trusting, he responds well to firm leadership and is capable of great loyalty."

146. Vorg's "document" here is indeed just an ordinary compact cassette.

147. In the missing scene, approaching the Lurmans, Pletrac talks to them in simplistic language.

148. "We friends," he begins. "You give magic talk-boxes along-um me. You very good fellow."

149. "Magic talk-boxes! Is he potty?" Asks Shirna.

150. "I think he requires our data-strips. Do you know where they are, my dear?" Says Vorg.

151. Shirna hands Pletrac two small plastic discs. "All right. I shan't bite," she says, as he cautiously backs away.

152. "You stay. We talk-um by and by" says Pletrac, leaving.

153. "We're not savages, you know!" She retorts. "We have performed before half the crowned heads of the galaxy."

154. "Perhaps that was his servant language," muses Vorg. "They could still be feudal here on Inter Minor."

155. Shirna says that Vorg doesn't seem to know much about them,

156. and he explains, "Nobody does. This is the planet of mystery, Shirna.

157. "Inter Minor cut itself off from the rest of the stellar system thousands of years ago.

158. "It was during the time of the great space plague. Only a few Minorians survived. Since then they have shunned all outside contacts."

159. "So that's why you are so anxious to come here?" says Shirna, touching the Scope.

160. "None of them will have seen anything like this!"

161. "Exactly!" says Vorg. "Think of it, Shirna - that great audience out there, a whole world of them, filled with curiosity, excitement and wonder!

162. "We can make our fortunes here. We'll go back to Lurma with a million creditbars each!"

163. Notice one major difference to this scene this time around?

164. There's now music playing quietly in the background, in particular 'Has Anybody Seen My Gal? ',

165. a song first recorded by The Californian Ramblers in 1925.

166. Playing the music at this point may have been a deliberate choice to accentuate Jo's comment about a stuck record.

167. It was very easy to scratch a gramophone record's surface though bad handling.

168. This could cause the needle to jump backward when playing, repeating the same few seconds over and over again.

169. At one stage, it was intended that Jo should change into 1920s period costume,

170. so costume designer James Acheson took Katy Manning to the Victoria and Albert Museum to look at some frocks.

171. There is something of a time anomaly with the scenes on board the SS Bernice.

172. Remember the calendar we saw on the wall of Major Daly's cabin a few minutes ago?

173. It showed the date as Tuesday 4 June 1926, the day the SS Bernice disappeared.

174. In reality, 4 June 1926 was a Friday.

175. A dramatic image of the plesiosaurus attacking the SS Bernice

176. was painted by artist Chris Achilleos for the cover of the Target Books novelisation of the story.

177. The book, adapted by Terrance Dicks, was first published on 20 January 1977.

178. The original cover painting was later acquired by an American fan.

179. Notice the position of the TARDIS in this shot.

180. In a moment, we'll see the Doctor come out of the TARDIS, leaving the door open.

181. But the small model has closed doors and no notice panel on the left-hand side!

182. Also appearing in this episode were:

183. Stuart Fell (Stunt Functionary)

184. Bill Lodge, Aldwin Davies, Jo Murphy (Functionaries)

185. P. Murphy Grumbar, George Howard (Functionaries) 8:48,967 —> 00:18:50,446 Oh, very well.

186. Your application for a visa has been rejected.

187. You will be allotted space on the next outbound cargo thruster.

188. But your worship, please, I beg you.

189. We spent our last credit bar on the journey here.

190. That was unwise.

191. Your worship, please. I have a document here

192. micrographed by the great Zarb himself.

193. If you will just do me the honour of considering it.

194. President Zarb?

195. Wasn't the Great Zarb that Walarian wrestler

196. we met at the interstellar exhibition?

197. Shh. Shut up!

198. You've got a nerve, Vorg, passing that off.

199. It slides open.

200. - How does it work? - Anti-magnetic cohesion, I should think.

201. - Never heard of it. - No, you wouldn't have done, Jo.

202. You were born about a thousand years too early for that.

203. Oh, I do love being with you, Doctor. You make me feel so young.

204. Can you open it?

205. Without a magnetic core extractor, no.

206. Oh, well. That's that then, isn't it?

207. On the contrary. I happen to have got one in the Tardis.

208. Oh, I knew you wouldn't travel anywhere without one.

209. - But there's one tiny little problem. - Yes, I know, getting to the Tardis.

210. Right. It means we've got to go through the saloon.

211. They can only lock us up again, can't they?

212. - True. - Come on.

213. - You say the cook's a Madrasi, Andrews? - I believe so, sir.

214. Hmm. I find the Madrasis a bit idle myself.

215. Won't have them on the plantation.

216. Still, I must admit your fellow knows how to curry a chicken.

217. - Sundowner? - Not for me, sir.

218. - Claire? - No, thank you, Daddy.

219. John and I thought we'd take a turn around the deck.

220. Would you care to join us, sir? It's a glorious evening.

221. No, no, no, no. You two run along. I'm going to do a spot of reading.

222. Determined to finish this book before we reach Bombay.

223. Well, we're due there tomorrow. How much have you got left?

224. Only another two chapters.

225. - Well, we'll see you later then, sir. - Right.

226. 20 times round the deck is a mile, Claire.

227. So, if we put our best feet forward...

228. (WHISPERING) Doctor, they're saying exactly the same things as before.

229. Yes, I know.

230. - But if he... - Shh.

231. No, really, I love musical plays.

232. I saw Lady Be Good four times.

233. And don't you think that young American chap was marvellous?

234. You know, Fred somebody. Fred Astaire.

235. Personally, I think... - (MOUTHING) Come on.

236. - Come on, Doctor. Let's get out of here. - Hang on a minute, Jo.

237. If my theory's right, we should be getting confirmation any minute now.

238. - Theory? What theory? - About what's happening to this ship.

239. What is happening? I mean, it's like a gramophone record.

240. - A stuck gramophone record. - Yes, well, naturally.

241. You see, they've all been programmed to repeat a simple behaviour pattern.

242. And that monster, the plesiosaurus, that was programmed, too?

243. - Very probably. - But that was from a different time.

244. There weren't any plesiosauruses in 1926.

245. Yes, exactly.

246. Historically speaking, this collection is a bit of a jumble, I must admit.

247. Do you mean that this ship is part of a collection?

248. But it all seems so ordinary.

249. Jo, have you ever seen any small boys collecting sea creatures

250. - and putting them into a rock pool? - Hmm.

251. And then after a minute all the sea creatures settle down

252. and behave quite normally, quite naturally.

253. It's only the small boys looking down from above

254. that see the change in the environment.

255. Oh, yes, but that's different.

256. Human beings are slightly more intelligent than whelks.

257. Yes, and they were collected by a slightly more sophisticated means

258. than a bucket of water. But everything is relative, Jo.

259. I'm sorry, Doctor, I just can't take it in.

260. Yes, well, don't worry about it.

261. Right, stand by for blasting.

262. - Wait a minute, do you mean... - Shh.

263. Right. Go and hide.

264. What? What? What? What? What?

265. Daddy, there's something terrible out there in the sea!

266. What's going on? - Some kind of monster!

267. What the deuce is it?

268. It's gone back in the sea.

269. I'd better get a rifle, Major. It might attack again.

270. Here, Major, if you'll look after Claire a moment.

271. Yes, yes, yes, of course. I say, what a monstrous beast.

272. It was awful, horrible!

273. There, there, there, child. You'd better come and sit down.

274. I've never seen anything like it in my life.

275. - I wonder if it'll come back. - Oh, no!

276. Hmm? Oh, you look as if you need a peg.

277. Might get a shot at the beast next time.

278. What a head, eh? Gad, I'd love to have that on the club wall, what?

279. Hang on a minute, Jo. I'll get the magnetic core extractor.

280. Doctor, do we have to stay here? Can't we just leave?

281. Where's your scientific curiosity, Jo?

282. - Don't you want to know what's going on? - Not much, no.

283. Doctor!

284. - What is it now? - Doctor!

285. - What is it, Jo? - Look!