Bonnie Langford Movies

Four years after its "official" demise as a weekly series, Doctor Who briefly resurfaced in the form of a two-part, off-length special. Created to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the series' birth, "Dimensions in Time" was shown as a component of two other TV programs. Part One aired November 26, 1993, as an eight-minute segment of the BBC's Children in Need Telethon. In this installment, five of the Doctor's seven incarnations -- played by surviving series stars Jon Pertwee, Tom Baker, Peter Davison, Colin Baker, and Sylvester McCoy -- were pitted against renegade Time Lady Rani (Kate O'Mara, likewise repeating her Doctor Who role), who hoped to determine the outcome of the universe's evolution. This cliffhanger would be resolved the following evening on the series' Noel's House Party. Featured in the cast were several of the Doctor's former "companions," including Nicola Bryant (Peri), Sarah Sutton (Nyssa), Sophie Aldred (Ace), Carole Ann Ford (Susan), Elisabeth Sladen (Sara), and Bonnie Langford (Mel). "Dimensions in Time" was written by John Nathan-Turner and David Roden. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

In the second episode of the four-part story "Time and the Rani," the newly regenerated Doctor (Sylvester McCoy) must deal with the renegade Time Lady known as the Rani (Kate O'Mara). Hoping to create her own time manipulator by brain-draining the Doctor and other intergalactic geniuses, the Rani has chosen as her headquarters the peaceful planet Lakertya -- thereby breaking the peace in the process. Originally shown on September 14, 1987, "Time and the Rani, Episode 2" was written by Pip and Jane Baker. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

In the conclusion of the four-part story "Time and the Rani," the Doctor (Sylvester McCoy) frees the reptilian residents of the planet Lakertya, then prepares himself for a final showdown with the Rani (Kate O'Mara), whose time-manipulating device could result in the end of the planet, if not the entire universe. The explosive climax takes place on an asteroid hovering high over Lakertya, a triumph of "making a lot out of a little" for the series' artistic designer Geoff Powell. Originally shown on September 28, 1987, "Time and the Rani, Episode 4" was written by Pip and Jane Baker. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Winning a trip to the Disneyland of 1959, the Doctor (Sylvester McCoy) and Melanie (Bonnie Langford) collide en route with a satellite. The would-be vacationers end up in a Welsh holiday camp called the Shangri-La -- which is presently under siege by the Bannermen, a pair of genocidal assassins who have targeted another vacationer, Chimeron princess Delta (Belinda Mayne). American funnyman Stubby Kaye guest stars as Mr. Weismuller, while British TV game show host Ken Dodd appears briefly as the Tollmaster. Written by Malcolm Kohll, the three-episode "Delta and the Bannermen" began its original BBC run on November 2, 1987. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

In the third episode of the four-part story "Paradise Towers," the residents of the titular apartment complex continue to be held in thrall by a malevolent -- and murderous -- superbrain known as the Great Architect Kroagnon, who, appalled at the untidiness of his customers, has dispatched the villainous Chief Caretaker (Richard Briers) on a killing rampage. Caught in the middle between the complex's helpless residents and the various and sundry threats to their safety, the Doctor (Sylvester McCoy) and Mel (Bonnie Langford) must figure out a way of staying alive -- or at the very least, of avoiding the bureaucratic red tape which has tied the other characters in knots. Written by Stephen Wyatt, "Paradise Towers, Episode 3" first aired on October 19, 1987. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

The Doctor (Sylvester McCoy) and Melanie (Bonnie Langford) decide to use the swimming pool at the Paradise Towers luxury-apartment complex. Unfortunately, the formerly award-winning complex has degenerated into a breeding ground for crime and vice -- and the current residents seem to be totally unaware of the danger surrounding them. Comic actor Richard Briers does an about-face as the villainous Chief Caretaker. Written by Stephen Wyatt, Episode 1 of the four-part adventure "Paradise Towers" first aired on October 5, 1987. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

In the second episode of the three-part story "Dragonfire," the Doctor (Sylvester McCoy) and con artist Glitz (Tony Selby) have both been drawn to the frigid trading colony Iceworld. Here both men face death at the hands of the elusive exiled criminal Kane (Edward Peel), who now reluctantly rules the colony. Items essential to the action are a herd of surly dragons and a lost umbrella. Written by Chris Clough, "Iceworld, Episode 2" first aired on November 30, 1987. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

In the conclusion of the three-part story "Delta and the Bannermen," the Bannerman Warfleet steps up its efforts to assassinate Princess Delta of Chimeron (Belinda Mayne), as well as the infant heir apparent to the throne. In trying to prevent this, the Doctor (Sylvester McCoy) and Mel (Bonnie Langford) learn to their surprise that the Chimeron infant doesn't really need any help. Watch for the Doctor's eyeglasses in the climactic chase scene (though quite nearsighted, actor McCoy was determined to drive a motorcycle without the assistance of a stunt man). Written by Malcolm Kohll, "Delta and the Bannermen, Episode 3" originally aired on November 16, 1987. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

In the conclusion of the 14-episode continuity "The Trial of a Time Lord," the Doctor (Colin Baker) discovers the real reason that he has been put on trial for violating the Laws of Time. But his troubles are far from over, as he and his chief accuser, the Valeyard (Michael Jayston) embark upon a harrowing virtual-reality tour of the Matrix. The climax finds the Doctor locked in mortal combat with an evil incarnation of himself. Written by Pip and Jane Baker and originally telecast on December 6, 1986, this episode, officially known as Doctor Who: The Ultimate Foe, Episode 2, represented not only the final chapter of Doctor Who's 23rd season, but also Colin Baker's farewell appearance as the Doctor. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

In the 12th episode of the season-long continuity "The Trial of a Time Lord," the Valeyard (Michael Jayston), bent upon condemning the Doctor (Colin Baker) for violating the Laws of Time, argues that the Doctor's videotaped evidence does not correspond with the facts. But the Doctor argues that, contrary to those "facts," he and his companion, Mel (Bonnie Langford), were indeed responsible for rescuing the passengers of the spaceliner Hyperion III from being devoured by a series of ravenous plants -- and that the Hyperion III did not meet its doom in the Black Hole of Tartarus. Written by Pip and Jane Baker and first broadcast on November 22, 1986, Doctor Who: The Trial of a Time Lord, Episode 12 was actually the concluding installment of the four-part story arc "Terror of the Vervoids." ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

The season-long Doctor Who adventure "The Trial of a Time Lord" continued on November 1, 1986 with episode one of the story's third chapter, "Terror of the Vervoids" (a subtitle that did not appear onscreen). Still defending himself against charges of breaking the Laws of Time, the Doctor (Colin Baker) presents videotaped evidence of his innocence. It should not surprise fans of the series that the evidence consists of events that have yet to transpire, and that the Doctor has suddenly acquired a new companion: Earth girl Melanie "Mel" Bush (Bonnie Langford). Doctor Who: The Trial of a Time Lord, Episode 9 was written by Pip and Jane Baker. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

This children's fantasy is about the "Wombles," borrowed from a British TV series, who are furry creatures (actors in suits), normally invisible to anyone but themselves, and whose mission in life is to clean up after humans -- their first chore was to pick up the forgotten apple core in the Garden of Eden. The British Wombles know something is wrong when humans start to notice them, beginning with little Kim Frogmorton (Bonnie Langford) and then her parents. In a series of vignettes, Wombles alone, or humans alone, or both together handle disconnected misadventures -- such as saving the Womble burrow at Wimbledon, fighting against pollution, and moaning over adult topics like an oil shortage, and a theater shortage, for that matter. A few Wombles are professional beasties (such as Kenny Baker of R2-D2 fame), but for the most part, the scenarios are conventional and range from ordinary to insensitive. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi