Ian Stuart Black Movies

In the conclusion of the four-part story "The Macra Terror," the Doctor (Patrick Troughton) escapes the Macra salt mines in hopes of rescuing the earth colonists from being used as the principal component in a gaseous mixture. Things come to a head when the Doctor finally comes face to face with the Controller (Graham Leaman), who may be responsible for the dirty work perpetrated by the crablike Macra. Written by Ian Stuart Black, "The Macra Terror, Episode 4" first aired on April 1, 1967. This episode apparently no longer exists. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the second episode of the four-part story "The Macra Terror," the Doctor (Patrick Troughton) continues to seek out the source of unrest at a seemingly idyllic earth colony on a distant planet. It turns out that the colonists are slowly being enslaved the Macra, a crablike race who plan to use the earthlings for their own diabolical purposes. Before he can find out what those purposes are, the Doctor is betrayed by a "friend" and condemned to a lifetime of hard labor in the planet's salt mines. Written by Ian Stuart Black, "The Macra Terror, Episode 2" first aired on March 18, 1967; this episode apparently no longer exists. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

This story of love and espionage focuses on political turmoil as a small nation struggles to free itself from colonial rule, and one man tries to serve both justice and his own heart. In the late 1950s, the island of Cyprus is under the political control of Great Britain, but groups of Cypriot activists are fighting for the country's independence. Maj. McGuire (Dirk Bogarde) is an English military leader who is on the trail of Haghios (George Chakiris), a terrorist leader who guides the struggle for freedom in Cyprus. Juno Kozani (Susan Strasberg) is an American student of archeology who visits friends on the island, only to discover that they're helping to hide Haghios from the police and the British military. McGuire is convinced that Kozani knows Haghios' whereabouts, but while she has told McGuire nothing, Haghios is convinced that Kozani has turned him in and threatens to kill her. Desperate, Kozani seeks protection from McGuire, who allows her to hide out in his apartment. Put into close contact, McGuire and Kozani fall in love, but when his superiors find out that he's been keeping her in hiding, McGuire is transferred to Greece. Kozani follows him there, only to discover that a mysterious man has been following them. The High Bright Sun has also been released under the titles McGuire Go Home! and A Date with Death. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

In the second episode of the four-part story "The Savages," the Doctor (William Hartnell) wants to learn the secret of the "perfect" advanced civilization which has built huge walls to protect itself against a race of primitive savages. He eventually discovers that the so-called civilized inhabitants have kept themselves mentally and physically vibrant by sapping the life forces from the savages outside their gates. First telecast on June 4, 1966, "The Savages, Episode 2" was written by Stuart Black; this episode apparently no longer exists. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the conclusion of the four-part story "The Savages," the laboratory used to sap the strength and intelligence from the Savages is finally destroyed. But there are more surprises in store for the Doctor (William Hartnell) when the enigmatic Exorce (Geoffrey Frederick) reveals his loyalties in the conflict between the Savages and their "civilized" oppressors. Peter Purves makes his final series appearance as Steven Taylor, exiting in a spectacularly noble and selfless fashion. First telecast June 18, 1966, "The Savages, Episode 4" was written by Stuart Black; this episode apparently no longer exists. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the third episode of the four-part story "The War Machines," the self-starting computer WOTAN (Will Operating Thought Analogue) begins the first phase of its campaign to conquer the world. As a terrifying army of robot war machines descend upon London, the Doctor (William Hartnell) tries to disable WOTAN -- but alas, it has been designed by Professor Brett (John Harvey) to be impervious to such shutdown efforts. Meanwhile, Brett's secretary Polly (Anneke Wells) and her seaman boyfriend Ben Jackson (Michael Craze) work behind the scenes to help the Doctor, if indeed anyone can help him. Scripted by Ian Stuart Black from a story idea by Kit Pedler, "The War Machines, Episode Three" first aired on July 2, 1966. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Returning to modern-day London with Dodo (Jackie Lane) in tow, the Doctor (William Hatnell) discovers that a supercomputer called WOTAN (Will Operating Thought Analogue) has been invented by one Professor Brett (John Harvey). Though impressed by the fact that WOTAN can actually think for itself, the Doctor would be less impressed -- in fact, he'd be outraged -- if he knew that the computer is exercising an insidious form of mind control over thousands upon thousands of helpless Londoners. Anneke Wells makes her first series appearance as Polly, here introduced as Brett's secretary. Scripted by Ian Stuart Black from a story idea by Kit Pedler, the first episode of the four-part Doctor Who adventure "The War Machines" first aired on June 25, 1966. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Originally titled Maid for Murder, this British laughspinner is essentially a vehicle for the comedy team of Bob Monkhouse and Alfred Marks. Down to their last farthing, Monkhouse and Marks learn that their distant cousin, maidservant Anna Karina, has inherited a fortune. After their clumsy courtship efforts fail, the boys decide to murder Anna and claim the legacy for themselves. The same basic premise was better handled in the 1976 American black comedy The Fortune. She'll Have to Go was based on We Must Kill Toni, a play by Ian Stuart Black. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

An unfortunate sailor (Tony Wright) gets implicated in a murder he never committed in this confusing drama by David Eady. After a bookie is murdered, the sailor is caught in an ever-tightening vice that would trap him as the killer unless he can clear himself. Along the way to struggling free and tracking down the real culprits, several unsavory characters cross his path as well as a rather interesting woman (Shirley Eaton) who sets romantic sparks flying. Although director Eady and the cast have done their best with the story, it is too thin to survive even the short running time of 69 minutes. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide

After inexplicably destroying his anti-gravity formula, eminent British researcher Dr. Stephens (Geoffrey Keen) vanishes without a trace. Stephens' daughter Pat (Joanna Dunham) asks Peter Brady, aka "The Invisible Man", to locate her father and find out why he was so willing to ruin his life's work. But Peter had better hurry: a man named Wilson (Esmond Knight is likewise searching for Stephens--and his intentions are anything but honorable. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The tiny country of Bay Akim is in the thrall of a particularly vicious band of gunrunners. Teaming with secret agent Zena Flemming, "Invisible Man" Peter Brady does his best to locate the bad guys and determine the identity of the mysterious leader of the gang. Appearing as Zena is American film star Louise Allbrittion, who had left Hollywood behind years earlier to become the wife of globetrotting CBS news correspondent Charles Collingwood. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

King Rashid (Vivan Matalon), a Middle Eastern potentate, is murdered by his treacherous military advisor General Shafari (Andre Morell), who plans to take over Rashid's kindgom. First, however, Shafari must force Princess Taima (Nadja Regin), the much-beloved heir to the throne, to abdicate. But the General has not reckoned with the resourcefulness of Taima's new friend Peter Brady, aka "The Invisible Man". ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Conrad Phillips, who has starred as William Tell in a popular British TV series produced by the same crew responsible for The Invisible Man, is here seen as military demolitions expert Barry Finch. While demonstrating a new and extremely sensistive bomb, Finch is trapped in a sand pit a few feet away from the explosive--which will instantly detonate if a shadow falls upon it. The only man in the world capable of rescuing Finch and defusing the bomb is also the only man who casts no shadow--namely, the invisible Peter Brady. This episode was cowritten by The Avengers' Brian Clemens, pseudonymously billed as Tony O'Grady. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide