Mark Hardy Movies
- 1988
In the second episode of the three-part story "Silver Nemesis," the Doctor (Sylvester McCoy) and Ace (Sophie Aldred) attempt to retrieve the deadly statue Nemesis, which threatens the earth with utter destruction. In this effort, the two time-travelers run into formidable opposition in the form of 17th century aristocrat Lady Peinforte (Fiona Walker), a group of neo-Nazis, and the Doctor's perennial enemies, the Cybermen. Written by Kevin Clarke, "Silver Nemesis, Episode 2" originally aired on November 30, 1988. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sylvester McCoy, Sophie Aldred, (more)
- 1988
In the conclusion of the three-part story "Silver Nemesis," the Doctor (Sylvester McCoy) steps up his efforts to hurl the deadly living-metal Nemesis statue back into Deep Space. Meanwhile, Ace (Sophie Aldred) finds herself locked in mortal combat with the Cybermen, who want to get their hands on the precious validium within the statue. Musical-comedy favorite Dolores Gray makes a rare TV appearance as Mrs. Remington. Written by Kevin Clarke, "Silver Nemesis, Episode 3" originally aired on December 7, 1988. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sylvester McCoy, Sophie Aldred, (more)
- 1987
- R
This comedy was inspired by the true story of Cynthia Payne, a former waitress who gained fame as England's best-known (and best-liked) madame. Christine Painter (Julie Walters) is a working-class single mother who sub-leases a few inexpensive flats as a way of bringing in extra money. Christine has no particular interest in selling her body, but when she finds herself in a tight spot financially -- and notices that the prostitutes who rent her apartments are the only ones who consistently pay on time -- she decides to open a brothel. With the help of Shirley (Shirley Stelfox), an experienced prostie, and Morton (Alec McCowen), a former RAF commander with a fondness for women's undergarments, Christine opens a little place where elderly businessmen can indulge their fondness for kinky lingerie and being spanked by younger women. Soon Christine's business is booming and everyone is happy -- until the police pay her a visit. Personal Services was directed by Terry Jones, best known as a member of the Monty Python troupe; the real-life Cynthia Payne served as a technical advisor. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Julie Walters, Alec McCowen, (more)
Doctor Who celebrated its 20th anniversary with the 90-minute special "The Five Doctors." The life of the present Doctor (Peter Davison) is jeopardized when his four previous incarnations -- played by William Hartnell, Patrick Troughton, Jon Pertwee, and Tom Baker -- are taken out of time by an illegal Time Scoop. Even worse, the five doctors are confronted by a seemingly endless series of past enemies, included Daleks, Cybermen, and Yetis. The climax takes place in the Forbidden Zone on Gallifrey, where the instigator of the aforementioned time-scooping forces the five doctors to engage in the potentially deadly Game of Rassilon. Can any of the doctors save themselves -- and if not, will robot dog K-9 come galloping to the rescue? The late William Hartnell appeared only in clips from the second-season episode "Invasion of Earth: Flashpoint"; he was replaced in the body of the 20th anniversary special by Richard Hurndall. Written by Terrance Dicks, "The Five Doctors" was first presented in America on November 23, 1983, two days before its British TV debut. Since that time, it has been reedited into a four-part cliffhanger for syndication. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William Hartnell, Peter Davison, (more)
- 1982
In the third episode of the four-part story "Earthshock," the Doctor (Peter Davison) has materialized on earth in the 26th century, where a huge super-bomb of alien origin is sequestered in a cave, guarded by a pair of murderous robots. To his chagrin, the Doctor learns that the bomb is the handiwork of his old nemeses, the Cybermen, who are (again) scheming to destroy the world -- beginning with a conference where the delegates are discussing the destruction of the Cybermen. Written by Eric Saward, "Earthshock, Episode 3" originally aired on March 15, 1982. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Peter Davison, Matthew Waterhouse, (more)
- 1982
In the conclusion of the four-part story "Earthshock," the leader of the Cybermen intends to destroy the earth by forcing the crash-landing of a huge, heavily armed space vessel. The Doctor (Peter Davison), Tegan (Janet Fielding), and Nyssa (Sarah Sutton), all locked in the TARDIS, are unable to prevent this catastrophe. It is up to Adric (Matthew Waterhouse) to save the day -- and without giving away the ending, it should be noted that this episode represented Adric's final Doctor Who appearance, at least until a surprise guest-shot in the 21st season adventure "The Curse of Androzani." Written by Eric Saward, "Earthshock, Episode 4" originally aired on March 16, 1982. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Peter Davison, Matthew Waterhouse, (more)
- 1982
In the second episode of the four-part story "Earthshock," the Doctor (Peter Davison) and two of his companions are held responsible when four 26th century paleontologists disappear. The actual culprits turn out to be a brace of blank-faced robots who are jealously guarding a giant bomb within a huge cave. Clearly, the robots are acting under someone's orders -- but whose? Written by Eric Saward, "Earthshock, Episode 2" originally aired on March 9, 1982. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Peter Davison, Matthew Waterhouse, (more)
Very Important Person is an amusing British comedy set in a German POW camp during World War II. Sir Ernest Pease (James Robertson Justice) is a self-important professor with a bloated ego and a lightning put-down. When he is flown over Germany disguised as a navy officer to check out the effectiveness of one of his radar inventions, his plane is shot down and he lands in the POW camp. All sorts of misunderstandings arise, since the other prisoners suspect him of being a spy. In the meantime, there are the expected clashes of wit between the British prisoners and their dour German captors and the inevitable camp-organized concert. In the midst of these activities, the professor is challenged to find a way to escape. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Leslie Phillips, Stanley Baxter, (more)
- 1961
A strange bet provides the basis of this comedy, a British theater producer decides to make some easy money by betting a psychiatrist, whom he overheard telling a colleague that he could create the perfect child by hypnotizing a pregnant woman, that the shrink has as many holes in his theory as he did in his head. The wager is made, and the producer then talks an actress friend into masquerading as the pregnant woman to ensure his win. Unfortunately for him, the actress and the doctor fall in love. Seeing that her sweethearts theories are being derided by his peers, she decides to help him out and get pregnant for real. To do this, she gets drunk, staggers over to the producer's apartment and demands that he satisfy her right then and there. Unfortunately in the middle of it all, the doctor shows up. Then the producer's fiancee pays a visit and the whole scam falls apart in his living room. Fortunately happiness ensues when the doctor and the actress marry and decide to try the experiment for real. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Agnes Laurent, John Bentley, (more)
