Peter Purves Movies

The third season of Doctor Who began on September 11, 1965, with "Four Hundred Dawns," episode one of the four-part adventure "Galaxy 4." The TARDIS' arrival on the planet Galaxy coincides with the crash landings of spaceships carrying members of two alien races, the Rills and the Dravins. Knowing that the planet will explode within a matter of days, the two races battle over who will seize control of the TARDIS and escape -- which would spell the doom of the Doctor (William Hartnell) and his companions. This and the remaining three chapters of "Galaxy 4" were written by William Emms; unfortunately, except for a brief fragment, none of these episodes is presently known to exist. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the third episode of the four-part story "Galaxy 4," the Doctor (William Hartnell) is pressured to choose sides in the ages-old feud between the two predominant races of the doomed planet Galaxy. The Rills demand the presence of the Doctor's companion Vicki (Maureen O'Brien), which bodes ill for all concerned. Meanwhile, Steven (Peter Purves) finds himself in even more trouble than before. Written by William Emms, "Trap of Steel" originally aired on September 25, 1965; this episode apparently no longer exists. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The four-part Doctor Who adventure "The Ark" began on March 5, 1966, with the episode titled "The Steel Sky." Attempting to stomp out a plague on the spaceship carrying the last human survivors of Earth to the planet Refusis II, the crew of the TARDIS rematerializes on the same ark 700 years in the future. Little do they realize that their arrival will make things far worse than before. At the moment, however, the Doctor (William Hartnell) and his friends, Steven (Peter Purves) and Dodo, must contend with the terrors awaiting them in a strange jungle. "The Steel Sky" was written by Paul Erickson and Lesley Scott. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the third episode of the four-part story "The Ark," the Doctor (William Hartnell) has managed to isolate the source of the plague that may wipe out all remaining life forms from the devastated planet Earth. Alas, his solution may have come too late; it appears as though the "space ark" upon which the Earth survivors are being transported to the planet Refusis II has been taken over by a race of formerly servile aliens called the Monoids. Written by Paul Erickson and Lesley Scott, "The Return" originally aired on March 19, 1966. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Veteran horror film habitue Michael Gough guest stars as the Toymaker in this four-part Doctor Who adventure. The TARDIS is inexorably drawn to the Toymaker's domain, whereupon the Doctor (William Hartnell), Steven (Peter Purves), and Dodo (Jackie Lane) are forced to play a series of lethal games. As expected, the crew's opponents, all hand-picked by the Toymaker, don't know the meaning of "fair play." Written by Brian Hayles, this story arc began on April 2, 1966, with the episode "The Celestial Toyroom." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the third episode of the four-part story "The Celestial Toymaker," Steven (Peter Purves) and Dodo (Jackie Lane) continue to act as unwitting pawns in a deadly game of chance perpetrated by the malevolent Toymaker (Michael Gough). Having been rendered invisible and powerless, the Doctor (William Hartnell) must rely on his wits to extricate himself and his travelling companions from the present crisis. As Steven and Dodo brave the perils of a lavish but lethal ballroom, they are suddenly joined by a deceptively jolly jester named Cyril (Peter Stephens). Written by Brian Hayles, "The Dancing Floor" first aired on April 16, 1966. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the third episode of the six-part story "The Chase," the Doctor (William Hartnell) and his companions are fully aware that the infamous Daleks intend to go on a rampage of destruction throughout space. Alas, the TARDIS has been immobilized, rendering the Doctor helpless. Even so, he tries to determine the next destination of the Daleks, in hopes of at least warning the victims-to-be. Written by Terry Nation, "Flight Through Eternity" was originally telecast June 5, 1965. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

"The Dalek Masterplan" was the longest of the early Doctor Who adventures, running a full 12 episodes and beginning on November 13, 1965. In the first episode, "The Nightmare Begins," the Doctor (William Hartnell) and his companions act upon evidence gleaned by Special Agent Marc Cory in the previous episode "Mission to the Unknown," that the dreaded Daleks intend to utilize their own doomsday weapon, the Time Destructor. Accompanied by Cory's colleague Bret Vyon (Nicholas Courtney), the crew of the TARDIS blasts off to thwart the Dalek's plans. The vessel crash-lands in the jungles of Kembel, where the Doctor, seeking help for the ailing Steven (Peter Purves), runs into a gaggle of old enemies. Among the guest performers in this story arc is future Upstairs Downstairs regular Jean Marsh as Sara Kingdom. Written by Terry Nation, "The Nightmare Begins" is one of ten episodes of "The Dalek Masterplan" that have apparently vanished from the earth. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the 11th episode of the 12-part story "The Dalek Masterplan," the Doctor tries to stop the Daleks from destroying the universe without risking the lives of his travelling companions. Captured by the villains, Steven (Peter Purves) and Sara (Jean Marsh) are in for the biggest surprise of their lives. And there's more to come; the Doctor abruptly vanishes without a trace. Written by Dennis Spooner, "The Abandoned Planet" originally aired on January 22, 1966; this episode apparently no longer exists. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the second episode of the 12-part story "The Dalek Masterplan," the Doctor and his companions have landed in the jungles of Kembel, in hopes of thwarting the latest mass-destruction scheme of the mutant Daleks. The story takes an unexpected turn when the Doctor appears to align himself with the Dalek hordes, who promptly burn down the jungle. Taken aback, Bret Vyon (Nicholas Courtney) nonetheless struggles to keep the original mission alive. Written by Terry Nation, "Day of Armageddon" originally aired on November 20, 1965; this episode apparently no longer exists. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the fourth episode of the 12-part story "The Dalek Masterplan," the TARDIS crew persists in its efforts to prevent the Daleks from unleashing their doomsday weapon, the Time Destructor. Captured by the villains, Katarina (Adrienne Hill) nonetheless manages to save the lives of her traveling companions. Meanwhile, Bret (Nicholas Courtney) is faced with a decision that profoundly alters his relationship with the rest of the crew members. Written by Terry Nation, "The Traitors" originally aired on December 4, 1965; this episode apparently no longer exists. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the sixth episode of the 12-part story "The Dalek Masterplan," the Doctor (William Hartnell) has aligned himself with the valiant Sara Kingdom (Jean Marsh) in his efforts to foil the mass-destruction plans of the dreaded Daleks. Things come to a head when the crew of the TARDIS is forced into a showdown with a full complement of Dalek warriors. In a disturbing turn of events, the Doctor and Sara are compelled to leave Steven (Peter Purves) to face the Daleks all alone. Written by Dennis Spooner, "Coronas of the Sun" originally aired on December 18, 1965; this episode apparently no longer exists. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide