John Lucarotti Movies
- 1966
In the third episode of the four-part story "The Massacre of St. Bartholomew's Eve," Steven (Peter Purves) overhears a plot that will profoundly effect the outcome of hostilties between the Catholics and the Huguenots in 16th century Paris. On another front, the Doctor (William Hartnell), still mistaken for the Abbott of Amboise, is forced into making a succession of potentially deadly decisions. As the episode draws to a climax, a possible reunion between the Doctor and Steven is botched. Written by John Lucarotti, "Priest of Death" first aired on February 19, 1966; this episode apparently no longer exists. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William Hartnell, Peter Purves, (more)
- 1966
In the conclusion of the four-part story "The Massacre of St. Bartholomew's Eve," The religious differences that have suddenly cropped up between the Doctor (William Hartnell) and Steven (Peter Purves) serve to heighten Steven's feelings of isolation. Of far greater importance, the Catholic hierarchy of 16th century Paris prepares its final fatal assault on the Huguenot population. Jackie Lane joins the cast in the role of the Doctor's new travelling companion Dorothea "Dodo" Chaplet. Written by John Lucarotti and Donald Tosh, "Bell of Doom" first aired on February 26, 1966; this episode apparently no longer exists. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William Hartnell, Peter Purves, (more)
- 1966
In the first episode of the four-part story "The Massacre of St. Bartholomew's Eve," the Doctor (William Hartnell) and fellow TARDIS crewman Steven Taylor (Peter Purves) arrive in Paris in the year 1572, on the eve of the the St. Bartholomew's Day massacre. The Doctor is prevented a quick getaway because of his startling resemblance to the Abbott of Amboise (also played by Hartnell). Meanwhile, Steven's religious convictions may cause a rift between himself and the Doctor. Written by John Lucarotti, "War of God" first aired on February 5, 1966; this episode is believed to have been lost. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William Hartnell, Peter Purves, (more)
- 1966
In the second episode of the four-part story "The Massacre of St. Bartholomew's Eve," the Doctor (William Hartnell), trapped in Paris on the eve of the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre, finds himself in a double bind because of his remarkable resemblance to the much-feared Abbott of Amboise. Meanwhile, the Doctor's travelling companion, Steven (Peter Purves), aligns himself with the persecuted Huguenots. Written by John Lucarotti, "The Sea Beggar" first aired on February 12, 1966. Neither this nor the other three episodes in this story arc are known to exist. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William Hartnell, Peter Purves, (more)
- 1965
Invited to attend a party at an air base, Steed and Emma arrive to find the place deserted. Suddenly, Steed is knocked unconscious; when he awakens, the base is crowded with revellers, but Emma is nowhere to be found. Even more disconcerting is the "fact" that Steed has apparently gone back in time, and that he is now reliving the events of an hour ago. Written by John Lucarotti, "The Hour That Never Was" was initially telecast in England on November 27, 1965; its American TV debut occured on April 25, 1966. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1965
Steed and Emma are put on the case when the body of an agent -- four inches taller than he was in life -- is discovered. Their investigation leads to Castle De'ath, a formidable (and, reportedly, haunted) Scottish castle. While Emma poses as a woman determined to transform the castle into a tourist attraction, Steed explores the dank and musty cellars of the fortress and stumbles upon a secret submarine base. Written by John Lucarotti, "Castle De'ath" was originally telecast in England on October 30, 1965; it was subsequently aired in the U.S. on May 2, 1966. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1964
The TARDIS materializes in pre-Columbian Mexico, within the walls of an ancient tomb. Escaping, the Doctor (William Hartnell) and his companions -- Ian (William Russell), Barbara (Jacqueline Hill), and Susan (Carole Ann Ford) -- discover that the tomb was that of Aztec hight priestess Yetaxa, whose followers practice human sacrifice to honor their deity. The plot thickens when Barbara is mistaken for the reincarnation of Yetaxa. Written by John Lucarotti, the four-part adventure "The Aztecs" began on May 23, 1964, with this episode, titled "The Temple of Evil." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William Hartnell, William Russell, (more)
- 1964
In the third episode of the four-part story arc "The Aztecs," the followers of high priestess Yetaxa are still convinced that Barbara (Jacqueline Hill) is the reincarnation of their deity. Accordingly, Barbara is forced to mete out punishment when her travelling companion Susan (Carole Ann Ford) -- now a mere handmaiden -- commits a grievous error. Meanwhile, Ian (William Russell) is appointed chief of the Aztec warriors (and is forced to defend his new title to the death), while the Doctor (William Hartnell) unexpectedly finds a romantic soulmate. Written by John Lucarotti, "The Bride of Sacrifice" first aired on June 6, 1964. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William Hartnell, William Russell, (more)
- 1964
In the second episode of the four-part story arc "The Aztecs," Barbara (Jacqueline Hill) has been proclaimed the divine reincarnation of the Aztec goddess Yetaxa. Hoping to use her new-found powers to the good, Barbara endeavors to change the course of history -- with disastrous results. Meanwhile, Ian (William Russell) is targetted for death, compelling the Doctor (William Hartnell) to go to his rescue. Written by John Lucarotti, "The Warriors of Death" first aired on May 30, 1964. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William Hartnell, William Russell, (more)
- 1964
In the final episode of the four-episode story arc "The Aztecs," Barbara's misguided efforts to alter the course of history have discredited her in the eyes of the Aztec worshippers, who no longer believe that she is the reincarnation of the high priestess Yetaxa. Consequently, Barbara, Susan, and Ian are slated to be "guests of honor" at a human sacrifice. The Doctor (William Hartnell) endeavors to rescue his companions -- with the unexpected assistance of a total eclipse. Written by John Lucarotti, "The Day of Darkness" first aired on June 6, 1964. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William Hartnell, William Russell, (more)
- 1964
How could anyone steal a huge albino elephant? To solve the mystery, Cathy poses as a hunter and pays a visit to Noah's Arc, a game preserve specializing in supplying animals to zoos. Meanwhile, Steed picks up a few stray clues, including a most unusual pair of handcuffs. Written by John Lucarotti, "The White Elephant" was originally broadcast in England on January 4, 1964; it made its American cable TV debut over 27 years later, on March 22, 1991. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1964
The current unavailability of the entire first-season Dr. Who story arc "Marco Polo" is perhaps the most frustrating of the many gaps in the series' chronology. Written by John Lucarotti, this seven-part adventure began on February 22, 1964, with the episode titled "The Roof of the World." The TARDIS ends up in 13th century China, high atop the snowy slopes of Pamir Plateau. Here, the Doctor (William Hartnell), his granddaughter Susan (Carole Ann Ford), and his traveling companions Ian and Barbara (William Russell, Jacqueline Scott) come face to face with Venetian explorer Marco Polo (Mark Eden) and his entourage, including duplicitous warlord Tegana (Derren Nesbitt) and highborn Lady Ping-Cho (Zienia Merton). Given no other choice, the crew of the TARDIS joins Marco Polo's journey to visit Mongol ruler Kublai Khan. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William Hartnell, William Russell, (more)
- 1964
In the fourth episode of the seven-part story arc "Marco Polo," the Doctor's (William Hartnell) granddaughter Susan (Carole Ann Ford), is terrified by the phantoms which seem to haunt the Cave of Five Hundred Eyes. Meanwhile, Tegana (Derren Nesbitt) returns to advise Marco Polo (Mark Eden) to rid himself of the Doctor and his friends. And on another front, Ian (William Russell) uncovers gruesome evidence that someone in the traveling party intends to use the TARDIS time-traveling machine for his own evil purposes. Written by John Lucarotti, "The Wall of Lies" first aired on March 14, 1964; alas, none of the episodes in the "Marco Polo" arc are known to have survived. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William Hartnell, William Russell, (more)
- 1964
In the fifth episode of the seven-part story arc "Marco Polo," the lives of the Doctor (William Hartnell), Marco Polo (Mark Eden), and their combined companions are imperiled not only by bandits, but also by a traitor in their midst, the warlord Tegana (Derren Nesbitt). Still, the entourage manages to enjoy a (pitifully brief) bit of rest and relaxation at the way-station managed by the philosophical Wang-Lo (Gabor Baraker). Under cover of darkness, the Doctor and his friends manage to elude Polo and prepare to board the TARDIS for a journey homeward -- but Susan (Carole Ann Ford) is seized by a shadowy assailant. Written by John Lucarotti, "Rider From Shang-Tu" first aired on March 21, 1964; alas, none of the episodes in the "Marco Polo" arc are known to have survived. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William Hartnell, William Russell, (more)
- 1964
In the second episode of the seven-part story arc "Marco Polo," the Doctor and his companions reluctantly accompany Marco Polo (Mark Eden) on a long journey to the Peking stronghold of Kublai Khan. The first leg of their journey requires them to cross the Gobi Desert, known as "the singing sands" due to the eerie sounds made by the relentless wind. What no one yet suspects is that Marco's "trusted" associate Tegana (Derren Nesbitt) plans to use the Doctor's TARDIS to topple Kublai Khan from power -- and it is Tegana who has volunteered to search for water on behalf of Marco and his entourage. Written by John Lucarotti, "The Singing Sands" first aired on February 29, 1964; alas, none of the episodes in the "Marco Polo" arc are known to have survived. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William Hartnell, William Russell, (more)
- 1964
In the third episode of the seven-part story arc "Marco Polo," the treacherous Tegana (Derren Nesbitt) intends to leave Marco Polo (Mark Eden), the Doctor (William Hartnell), and their traveling companions to die of thirst in the desert. Seeking shelter not only from the elements but also from the bandit hordes which seem to surround them, the travelers are led to the Cave of the Five Hundred Eyes by Lady Ping-Cho (Zienia Merton). The Doctor is at first grateful, but slowly changes his mind when it appears that the grim interior of the Cave may be just as dangerous as what lies outside. Written by John Lucarotti, "The Singing Sands" first aired on March 7, 1964; alas, none of the episodes in the "Marco Polo" arc are known to have survived. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William Hartnell, William Russell, (more)
- 1964
In the sixth episode of the seven-part story arc "Marco Polo," the Doctor (William Hartnell) and his friends, still the reluctant traveling companions of Marco Polo (Mark Eden), arrive at Shang-Tu, where stands the opulent summer palace of the all-powerful Kublai Khan (Martin Miller). Fascinated by the TARDIS, Khan orders the Doctor and the others to accompany him to Peking, and for a while it looks as though none of the people will ever be able to return to their own home and time. Meanwhile, the treacherous Tagana (Derren Nesbitt) continues plotting to become absolute ruler of Cathay. Written by John Lucarotti, "Mighty Kublai Khan" first aired on March 28, 1964; alas, none of the episodes in the "Marco Polo" arc are known to have survived. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William Hartnell, William Russell, (more)
- 1964
In the conclusion of the seven-part story arc "Marco Polo," the Doctor (William Hartnell) and Kublai Khan (Martin Miller) play a high-stakes game of backgammon. Whoever wins the game will be allowed to lay claim to the TARDIS -- and of course, the Doctor and his friends need the vessel to return to their own time. Meanwhile, the ruthless Tegana (Mark Eden) puts into motion his scheme to assassinate Kublai Khan and lay claim to all of Cathay. And where, in all this intrigue, is Venetian explorer Marco Polo (Mark Eden). Written by John Lucarotti, "Assassin at Peking" first aired on April 4, 1964; alas, none of the episodes in the "Marco Polo" arc are known to have survived. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William Hartnell, William Russell, (more)
- 1963
In London for a medical checkup, Emir Abdulla Akaba (Henry Soskin) is murdered by a person or persons unknown. This proves embarrassing for Steed and Cathy, who'd been assigned to protect the Emir. Still in disguise as a hotel chef and social secretary, the Avengers try to determine who knocked off the victim -- and try to keep from being knocked off themselves. With a punch line straight out of the vintage George Arliss vehicle Old English, "Death a la Carte" first aired in England on December 21, 1963. Written by John Lucarotti, the episode made its American cable TV debut on March 20, 1991. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1962
The Avengers' second season came to a close with this episode, which originally aired on March 23, 1963. Written by John Lucarotti, the plot concerns an effort to smuggle valuable ambergris. Steed and Cathy become part of the action in a circuitous manner, when Cathy agrees to manage an up-and-coming prizefighter (Kenneth Farrington). Certainly one of the more labyrinthine Avengers episodes, "Killer Whale" wasn't given an opportunity to baffle American cable TV fans until March 2, 1991. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1961
While returning from a vacation in Chile, Dr. Keel tries to help the victims of a cyclone in Mexico. He soon stumbles onto a particularly nasty example of industrial pollution. Another doctor swears vengeance against the wealthy financier responsible for this ecological outrage, forcing Keel to put his return-to-England plans on hold and to prevent a brutal (if somewhat justified) murder. Written by John Lucarotti, "The Far Distant Dead" was originally broadcast August 19, 1961. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
