William Hartnell Movies
British actor William Hartnell once billed himself as "Billy," befitting his previous life as an apprentice jockey and flyweight boxer. Yearning to be a comedian like his idol Charlie Chaplin, Hartnell went on the stage at age 16 with Sir Frank Benson's Shakespeare company. In films from 1933, he spent several frustrating years playing minor villains and nondescript walk-ons. Hartnell rose to prominence in British films of the 1940s; ironically, he played an Army sergeant in his starmaking film, 1944's The Way Ahead. His film assignments diminished in importance in the 1950s, though he gained a new following in the supporting role of Sergeant Major Bullimore on the BBC TV series The Army Game. On the strength of his performance as a crusty sports agent in the 1963 film This Sporting Life, Hartnell was cast as the first of eight actors to portray TV's Doctor Who. This internationally popular sci-fi series made Hartnell a star all over again; alas, multiple sclerosis forced him to relinquish the role to Patrick Troughton in 1966. William Hartnell was long married to actress/playwright Heather McIntyre. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide- 1966
In the second episode of the four-part story "The Smugglers," the Doctor (William Hartnell) and his companions Ben (Michael Craze) and Polly (Anneke Wills) find themselves at the mercy of smugglers in 17th century Cornwall. But there's more danger ahead for all concerned when the smugglers are themselves captured by pirates. And just what is the "master plan" conceived by the swarthy Captain Pike (Michael Godfrey)? Written by Brian Sayles, "The Smugglers, Episode 2" originally aired on September 17, 1966. Except for a brief fragment, this episode no longer exists. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William Hartnell, Annika Wills, (more)
- 1966
In the third episode of the four-part story "The Savages," the Doctor (William Hartnell) has learned that the residents of a highly advanced walled city have been drawing their strength and intelligence from a tribe of primitive savages. Intending to right past wrongs, the Doctor's companions Steven (Peter Purves) and Dodo (Jackie Lane) lead the Savages in revolt against their oppressors. First telecast on June 11, 1966, "The Savages, Episode 3" was written by Stuart Black; except for a brief fragment, this episode apparently no longer exists. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William Hartnell, Peter Purves, (more)
- 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)
- 1966
In the conclusion of the four-part story "The War Machines," the robot army created by power-hungry computer WOTAN (Will Operating Thought Analogue) continues its devastating attack on London. The only hope for mankind's survival rests with the Doctor (William Hartnell), who reasons that the only way to stop a supercomputer is by deploying another supercomputer. With this episode, Anneke Wells and Michael Craze become series regulars in the roles of Polly and Ben. Scripted by Ian Stuart Black from a story idea by Kit Pedler, "The War Machines, Episode Four" first aired on July 2, 1966, as the final episode of Doctor Who's third season. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William Hartnell, Gerald Taylor, (more)
- 1966
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
- Starring:
- William Hartnell, Michael Craze, (more)
- 1966
In the second episode of the four-part story "The Tenth Planet," the Doctor (William Hartnell) and his companions come face to face with the Cybermen from the Earth's twin planet Mondas. In his effort to prevent the aliens from taking over the world, the Doctor begins to undergo a very profound change. Written by Kit Pedler and Gerry Davis, Doctor Who: The Tenth Planet, Episode 2 first aired on October 15, 1966. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William Hartnell, Annika Wills, (more)
- 1966
Written by Kit Pedler and Gerry Davis, the four-part "The Tenth Planet" was the first "transitional" adventure in the Doctor Who canon. When the TARDIS docks at the South Pole in December 1986, the Doctor (William Hartnell) and his companions find that they've arrived just in time to witness a missile launching -- but they'd better get out of the way lest they be launched as well. This crisis is but a prologue for an even greater danger in the form of the dreaded Cybermen. The first of four episodes, Doctor Who: The Tenth Planet, Episode 1 first aired on October 8, 1966. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William Hartnell, Annika Wills, (more)
- 1966
In the conclusion of the four-part story "The Smugglers," the buried treasure that had set the plot in motion is finally discovered. In addition, the Doctor (William Hartnell) reveals a secret that will profoundly affect himself, his companions, and two sets of villains (one more villainous than the other, of course). Written by Brian Sayles, "The Smugglers, Episode 4" originally aired on October 1, 1966. Except for a brief "murder" sequence that was filed for preview purposes, this episode no longer exists. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William Hartnell, Annika Wills, (more)
- 1966
In the third episode of the four-part story "The Smugglers," the crew of the TARDIS is still trapped in 17th century Cornwall. Threatened with extermination by both a team of smugglers and a band of pirates, the Doctor (William Hartnell) and his companions find that their lives may well rest in the hands of priggish revenue collector Blake (John Ringham). Written by Brian Sayles, "The Smugglers, Episode 3" originally aired on September 24, 1966. Except for a short sequence in which a secondary villain tries to kill Captain Pike (Michael Godfrey), this episode no longer exists. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William Hartnell, Annika Wills, (more)
- 1966
In the second episode of the four-part story "The War Machines," the Doctor (William Hartnell) discovers that the supercomputer WOTAN (Will Operating Thought Analogue) has exercised mind control over thousands of hapless Londoners. The hypnotized humans have been put to work building an army of robots and tanks so that WOTAN can conquer the earth. Meanwhile, the Doctor's companion, Dodo, is in dire jeopardy again (and without giving the game away, it should be noted that this was Jackie Lane's final series appearance). Scripted by Ian Stuart Black from a story idea by Kit Pedler, "The War Machines, Episode Two" first aired on July 2, 1966. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William Hartnell, Jackie Lane, (more)
- 1966
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
- Starring:
- William Hartnell, Jackie Lane, (more)
- 1966
In the conclusion of the four-part story "The Tenth Planet," Ben (Michael Craze) at last figures out the Cybermen's weakness. For the moment, it appears as though the earth is saved from the alien villains. But the story isn't quite over yet, as proven when Ben and Polly (Annika Wills) come face to face with the "new" Doctor Who. Written by Kit Pedler and Gerry Davis, Doctor Who: The Tenth Planet, Episode 4 first aired on October 29, 1966. Alas, except for a few fragments of the crucial sequence in which William Hartnell relinquishes the role of the Doctor, this episode no longer exists. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William Hartnell, Annika Wills, (more)
- 1965
In the third episode of the six-part story "The Web Planet," the Doctor (William Hartnell) and his companions are still mired in a power struggle on the planet Vortis. Aligning himself with the exiled butterfly-like race the Menoptera, the Doctor endeavors to free the planet from the rule of the ant-like Zarbi. This requires him to make a perilous foray into the Web Centre, the better to solve the mystery of the force that holds the planet in thrall. Written by Bill Strutton, "Escape to Danger" first aired on February 27, 1965. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William Hartnell, William Russell, (more)
- 1965
In the fourth episode of the six-part story "The Web Planet," the Doctor (William Hartnell) has penetrated the Web Centre of the planet Vortis. Here he discovers that the ant-like Zarbi, ostensibly the rulers of the planet, are actually the slaves of a spider-ish parasite called the Animus. Now, the Doctor must disable the parasite, lest he and his companions become enslaved as well. Written by Bill Strutton, "Crater of Needles" first aired on March 6, 1965. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William Hartnell, William Russell, (more)
- 1965
In the fifth episode of the six-part story "The Web Planet," the Doctor (William Hartnell) is unsuccessful in his efforts to immobilize the Animus, the spider-ish parasite that controls the planet Vortis. Meanwhile, the butterfly-like Menoptra invade the planet, hoping to topple the ant-like Zarbi ruling class (who are themselves the slaves of the Vortis). To say that the Menoptra's efforts are doomed to failure would be putting it mildly. Written by Bill Strutton, "Invasion" first aired on March 13, 1965. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William Hartnell, William Russell, (more)
- 1965
In the third episode of the four-part story "The Time Meddler," the efforts of the Doctor (William Hartnell) to prevent a renegade Time Lord (Peter Butterworth) from altering the course of history in 11th century England are complicated when the TARDIS vanishes from sight. Sadly, there are even more pressing problems at hand: The Battle of Hastings has begun and the villain intends to disastrously redirect the outcome. Written by Dennis Spooner, Doctor Who: A Battle of Wits first aired on July 17, 1965. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William Hartnell, Maureen O'Brien, (more)
- 1965
In the conclusion of the four-part story "The Time Meddler," the TARDIS crew finds itself in the thick of things at the Battle of Hastings. Meanwhile, a renegade Time Lord (Peter Butterworth) pulls strings to determine the outcome of the battle. Can the Doctor (William Hartnell) stop the course of history from changing? Written by Dennis Spooner, Doctor Who: Checkmate first aired on July 24, 1965, as the final episode of Doctor Who's second season. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William Hartnell, Maureen O'Brien, (more)
- 1965
In the first episode of the six-part story "The Web Planet," the Doctor and his traveling companions attempt to investigate an unknown force that has been consuming space vessels. They soon discover the source of this phenomenon when the TARDIS is sucked into the atmosphere of the planet Vortis. Almost immediately, the travelers are caught in the middle of a power struggle between two tribes of insectoid creatures: the ant-like Zarbi and the butterfly-like Menoptera. Written by Bill Strutton, episode one of "The Web Planet" first aired on February 13, 1965. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William Hartnell, William Russell, (more)
- 1965
In the second episode of the six-part story "The Web Planet," the Doctor (William Hartnell) and his traveling companions come face to face with the two warring tribes of the planet Vortis: The ant-like Zarbi, who ruled the roost, and the butterfly-like Menoptera, who hope to return from years of exile. The mysterious force that sucked the TARDIS into Vortis' atmosphere enslaves the mind of Barbara (Jacqueline Hill). It is up to the Doctor and Ian (William Hartnell) to rescue the girl -- if they themselves can avoid the force. Written by Bill Strutton, "The Zarbi" first aired on February 20, 1965. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William Hartnell, William Russell, (more)
- 1965
In the third episode of the four-part story "The Space Museum," the Doctor (William Hartnell) and his companions have passed through the Fourth Dimension, the first step in their journey back in time. Having glimpsed into the horrible future that awaits them at a Morok-controlled space museum, the Doctor must somehow alter the course of history. The trick is to return to the precise moment when the crew of the TARDIS became enmeshed in the political intrigues of the planet Xeron. Written by Glyn Jones, "The Search" first aired on May 8, 1965. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William Hartnell, William Russell, (more)
- 1965
In the concluding episode of the four-part story "The Space Museum," the Doctor (William Hartnell) is still struggling to avoid the fate in store for himself and his companions, as mummified exhibits in a Xeron space museum. In the course of events, the Doctor's travelling companion Vicki (Maureen O'Brien) aligns herself with the Xeron slaves of the despotic Moroks. This is beginning of the end for the Moroks, as the Xeron stage a revolt to gain control of their planet -- and, possibly, to spare the lives of the TARDIS crew. Written by Glyn Jones, "The Final Phase" first aired on May 15, 1965. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William Hartnell, William Russell, (more)
- 1965
Written by Dennis Spooner, the four-part story arc "The Time Meddler" began on July 3, 1965, with its first episode, Doctor Who: The Watcher. The Doctor (William Hartnell) discovers that a member of his own race has become a dangerous outlaw. This realization leads the Doctor and his friends into embarking upon an incredible adventure in 11th century England -- and, incidentally, causes a surprising amount of friction between the Doctor and Vicki (Maureen O'Brien). Peter Butterworth makes his series debut as the renegade time lord known as "The Meddling Monk." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William Hartnell, Maureen O'Brien, (more)
