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- 1965
In the second episode of the four-part story "The Time Meddler," the Doctor arrives in 11th century England in hopes of finding out the plans of a renegade Time Lord (Peter Butterworth). Disguised as a monk, the Doctor begins to realize that the villain's scheme is somehow connected with the impending Battle of Hastings. Meanwhile, fellow TARDIS crew member Vicki (Maureen O'Brien) makes a startling discovery. Written by Dennis Spooner, Doctor Who: The Meddling Monk first aired on July 10, 1965. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William Hartnell, Maureen O'Brien, (more)
- 1965
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
- Starring:
- William Hartnell, Peter Purves, (more)
- 1965
In the third episode of the 12-part story "The Dalek Masterplan," the crew of the TARDIS pursues the destruction-minded Daleks as they make their escape from the burning jungles of Kembel. The next destination for the Doctor (William Hartnell) and his companions Katarina (Adrienne Hill), Steven (Peter Purves), and Bret (Nicholas Courtney) is the planet Desperus. Here is where the Daleks hope to foment more destruction and devastation by rallying the populace against a minority-group scapegoat. Written by Terry Nation, "Devil's Planet" originally aired on November 27, 1965; this episode apparently no longer exists. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William Hartnell, Peter Purves, (more)
- 1965
In the conclusion of the four-part story "The Crusade," the Doctor and his companions are still trying to figure out a way to return to the TARDIS and escape the intrigues of the Holy Crusades. Barbara has a fateful meeting with the legendary Knight of Jaffa, which takes an unexpected turn. Both Richard the Lionhearted (Julian Glover) and Prince Saladin (Bernard Kay) step up their efforts to secure the Doctor's cooperation in winning the conflict. Written by David Whitaker, "The Warlords" originally aired April 18, 1965. At present, only the soundtrack of this episode is known to survive. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William Hartnell, William Russell, (more)
- 1965
"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
- Starring:
- William Hartnell, Peter Purves, (more)
- 1965
In the second episode of the four-part story "The Crusade," the Doctor (William Hartnell), Ian (William Russell), and Vicki (Maureen O'Brien) are forcibly detained in the camp of King Richard the Lionhearted (Julian Glover). Ian manages to secure Richard's permission to leave so that he can rescue Barbara (Jacqueline Hill), who has been captured by the Saracen followers of Prince Saladin (Bernard Kay). By episode's end, however, Ian has been pressed into service as a marriage broker. Written by David Whitaker, "The Knight of Jaffa" originally aired April 3, 1965. At present, only the soundtrack of this episode is known to survive. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William Hartnell, William Russell, (more)
- 1965
In the third episode of the four-part story "The Crusade," the Doctor (William Hartnell) and his companions are still marooned in the Holy Land at the time of the Crusades. The good news is that the Doctor and Vicki (Maureen O'Brien) have caught up with Barbara (Jacqueline Hill), who had been captured by Saracen leader Saladin (Bernard Kay). The bad news is that there's a new plot afoot which endangers the life of Richard the Lionhearted (Julian Glover) -- not to mention the Doctor and his friends. Written by David Whitaker, "The Wheel of Fortune" originally aired April 3, 1965. At present, only this episode and the opening chapter of "The Crusade" ("The Lion") are known to have survived. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William Hartnell, William Russell, (more)
- 1965
In the conclusion of the six-part story "The Chase," the Doctor and his travelling are thrown into a prison cell by the Mechanoids. Also incarcerated is another space fugitive, pilot Steven Taylor. With the help of their new friend, the Doctor and his friends are able to help determine the outcome of the showdown between the Mechanoids and the Daleks. With this episode, Peter Purves became a series regular as Steven Taylor. Written by Terry Nation, "The Planet of Decision" was originally telecast on June 26, 1965. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William Hartnell, William Russell, (more)
- 1965
The TARDIS travels to the time of the Holy Crusades. Upon arrival, the loyalties of the Doctor (William Hartnell), Ian (William Russell), Barbara (Jacqueline Hill), and Vicki (Maureen O'Brien) are forcibly divided between the Crusaders of Richard the Lionheart (Julian Glover) and the Saracens of Prince Saladin (Bernard Kay). Written by David Whitaker, "The Lion" originally aired March 27, 1965, as the first episode of the four-part story "The Crusade." At present, only episodes one and three ("Wheel of Fortune") exist in their entirety. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William Hartnell, William Russell, (more)
- 1965
In the fourth episode of the six-part story "The Chase," the Doctor continues his desperate efforts to repair the TARDIS and prevent the Daleks from continuing their campaign of interplanetary destruction. This may prove even more difficult in the light of a new and terrifying weapon created by the villains. In the course of events, the Doctor's companion, Vicki (Maureen O'Brien), is given an unexpected -- and hair-raising -- ride through time and space. Written by Terry Nation, "Journey Into Terror" was originally telecast on June 12, 1965. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William Hartnell, William Russell, (more)
- 1965
In the fifth episode of the six-part story "The Chase," the Doctor (William Hartnell) and his companions encounter terror in the jungles of the planet Mechanus, as the Daleks close in on the TARDIS. Crucial to the plotline is a master plan to replace the Doctor and his friends with robotic duplicates. Captured by the Mechanoids and thrown into prison, the TARDIS crew encounters an unexpected ally. Written by Terry Nation, "The Death of Dr. Who" was originally telecast June 19, 1965. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William Hartnell, William Russell, (more)
- 1965
In the second episode of the six-part story "The Chase," the Doctor (William Hartnell), peering into the future, has learned of the mass-destruction plans of the mutant Daleks. He also knows that the villains intend to destroy the TARDIS and its crew. Feeling safer chasing after the Daleks than being chased by the mutants, the Doctor trails the enemy to the planet Aridius -- only to discover that he and his traveling companions have been trapped in the TARDIS and are unable to prevent the ensuing carnage. Written by Terry Nation, "The Death of Time" was originally telecast on May 29, 1965. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William Hartnell, William Russell, (more)
- 1965
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
- Starring:
- William Hartnell, William Russell, (more)
- 1965
In the first episode of the six-part story "The Chase," the Doctor (William Hartnell) decides to experiment with the space-time visualizer which he had obtained in the previous adventure "The Space Museum." In so doing, the Doctor makes a horrifying discovery: The dreaded mutant Daleks have created their own time machine and intend to use the device to destroy the TARDIS and its crew. This episode was written by Terry Nation, the man who originally created the Daleks as part and parcel of the overall Doctor Who saga. "The Chase" was first telecast on May 22, 1965. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William Hartnell, William Russell, (more)
- 1965
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
- Starring:
- William Hartnell, Maureen O'Brien, (more)
- 1965
In the concluding episode of the four-part story "Galaxy 4," time is running out on the planet Galaxy, as it edges even closer to its inevitable destruction. If he hopes to escape with the lives of himself and his traveling companions, the Doctor (William Hartnell) must quickly negotiate a truce between the planet's two warring factions. The climax of the story serves as a logical lead-in to the next episode, "Mission to the Unknown." Written by William Emms, "The Exploding Planet" originally aired on October 2, 1965; this episode apparently no longer exists. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William Hartnell, Maureen O'Brien, (more)
- 1965
In the second episode of the four-part story "The Space Museum," the Doctor (William Hartnell) and his companions must travel back in time to prevent a horrible fate from befalling them. Their first obstacle is to elude capture by the Moroks and their slave warriors, the Xeron. Rendering himself and his friends invisible, the Doctor passes through the Fourth Dimension -- and into the gaping jaws of terror. Written by Glyn Jones, "The Dimensions of Time" first aired on May 1, 1965. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William Hartnell, William Russell, (more)
- 1965
First telecast April 24, 1965, "The Space Museum" is the first episode of the four-part Doctor Who adventure of the same name. Jumping a time-track, the TARDIS materializes in a long-abandoned Morok space museum on the planet Xeros. Here, the Doctor (William Hartnell) and his friends are shocked to see themselves -- and the dreaded Daleks -- on exhibit. It is a portent of the horrible fate that awaits the TARDIS crew unless the doctor is able to change the course of history. "The Space Museum" was written by Glyn Jones. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William Hartnell, William Russell, (more)
- 1965
In the conclusion of the four-part story "The Romans," Ian (William Russell) and Barbara (Jacqueline Hill) are at last reunited after suffering the ignominy of being Roman slaves. As the conspirators set their assassination plans in motion, the Doctor (William Hartnell) must act quickly to save Emperor Nero (Derek Francis). This episode proposes to solve the mystery as to who really set Rome on fire. Originally telecast on February 6, 1965, "Inferno" was written by Dennis Spooner. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William Hartnell, William Russell, (more)
- 1965
In the third episode of the four-part story "The Romans," the Doctor (William Hartnell) is still in the court of Roman emperor Nero (Derek Francis), still trying to secure the release of his enslaved travelling companions Ian (William Russell) and Barbara (Jacqueline Hill). As if this isn't peril enough, the tone-deaf Doctor is forcibly pressed into service as a court musician. Meanwhile, conspirators plan to murder Nero in mid-debauch. Originally telecast on January 30, 1965, "Conspiracy" was written by Dennis Spooner. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William Hartnell, William Russell, (more)
- 1965
In the second episode of the four-part story "The Romans," the Doctor (William Hartnell) and his companions encounter great danger while on a pleasure excursion to ancient Rome. Ian (William Russell) is captured and sold as a galley slave, while Barbara (Jacqueline Hill) is auctioned off as a "companion." The only hope for their rescue lies in the Doctor's precarious relationship with the Emperor Nero (Derek Francis). Originally telecast on January 23, 1965, "All Roads Lead to Rome" was written by Dennis Spooner. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William Hartnell, William Russell, (more)
- 1965
In the first episode of the four-part story "The Romans," the Doctor (William Hartnell), Vicki (Maureen O'Brien), Ian (William Russell), and Barbara (Jacqueline Hill) climb into the TARDIS and take a trip to ancient Rome. No sooner have they arrived at a picturesque villa than the Doctor and his companions are attacked by slavers. In the ensuing fracas, Ian and Barbara are captured and sold into bondage. Originally telecast on January 16, 1965, "The Slave Traders" was written by Dennis Spooner. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William Hartnell, William Russell, (more)
- 1965
In the concluding episode of the two-part story "The Rescue," the Doctor (William Hartnell) and his companions endeavor to rescue two spacecraft survivors from intergalactic murderer Koquillon. The plot thickens when it becomes apparent that one of the rescuees may be the Koquillon himself (or herself). With this adventure, Maureen O'Brien joins the cast as Vicki. Written by David Whitaker, "Desperate Measures" originally aired on January 9, 1965. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William Hartnell, William Russell, (more)
- 1965
"The Powerful Enemy" is the first episode of the two-part Doctor Who adventure "The Rescue." Arriving on the planet Dido, the Doctor (William Hartnell) and his fellow time travelers come across the remains of a crashed spaceship. Rescuing the two survivors, the Doctor endeavors to protect them and the TARDIS crew from the infamous murderer Koquillon. Written by David Whitaker, "The Powerful Enemy" originally aired on January 2, 1965. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William Hartnell, William Russell, (more)
- 1965
In the conclusion of the four-part story "The Myth Makers," the crew of the TARDIS is still trapped in ancient Greece at the time of the Trojan war. Having disguised herself in contemporary garb, Vicki (Maureen O'Brien) has concluded her own personal quest and has reconnected with her travelling companions. In the climactic scene, the Doctor (William Hartnell) takes a most uncomfortable ride in the belly of the fabled Trojan Horse. Written by Donald Cotton, "Horse of Destruction" first aired on October 30, 1965; unfortunately, this episode is no longer in existence. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William Hartnell, Maureen O'Brien, (more)
