Patrick Troughton Movies

Originally filmed in 1934 (see entry 84314), R.C. Sheriff's venerable stage comedy Badger's Green was given another screen treatment in 1949. The plot is the same as before: a group of villagers revolt when their precious cricket field is threatened with demolition by a fat-cat business firm. Most of the character names remain the same as well, with one curious exception: the heroine, played by Barbara Murray, is named Jane Morton rather than Molly Butler. Though shorter than the 1934 version, the 1949 Badger's Green enjoys far better production values. Still, the comedy content is rather dated, especially the jokes concerning class consciousness. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Set in a quiet British village, Franchise Affair details the ramifications of a malicious lie. Schoolgirl Ketty Kane (Ann Stephens) hopes to cover up her own misbehavior by claiming that two local women, Marion Sharpe (Dulcie Gray) and Marion's mother (Marjorie Fielding), have kidnapped and abused her. Though the authorities swallow Ketty's story, village lawyer Robert Blair (Michael Dennison) had his doubts. Risking ostracism from the community, Blair quietly sets about to prove the innocence of the two women. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The Walt Disney production of the Robert Louis Stevenson classic novel Treasure Island is one of the company's best live-action films of the '50s, and one of the best family-oriented adventures ever filmed. Bobby Driscoll plays Jim Hawkins, a young cabin boy who battles the pirate Long John Silver (Robert Newton) for a treasure. Disney changes the ending of the book, yet the film is so entertaining--particularly Newton's scene-stealing performance--that the difference is forgivable. In the '70s, Treasure Island was re-issued with "objectionable" violence cut out of the print; the original version was restored in the 1992 home video re-release. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Movie Guide

Alan Ladd once more journeyed to England to make a film for Columbia's British counterpart (Warwick Studios), and the result was the lively swashbuckler The Black Knight. Ladd plays John, a young swordmaker who aspires to join the Knights of the Round Table. Unfortunately, he is falsely accused of cowardice and banished from his community. Thanks to the secret tutelage of one of Arthur's knights, John is able to train himself in the art of combat, and soon reemerges as the vengeance-seeking Black Knight. In this guise, he is able to bring a group of traitors to justice, rout a band of invading Saracens, and rescue his lady love Linet (Patricia Medina) from certain doom. Anthony Bushell, who was soon to completely forsake acting in favor of producing and directing, costars as King Arthur, while the villains of the piece are essayed by Peter Cushing and future Dr. Who Patrick Troughton. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Curse of Frankenstein was the "breakthrough" picture for the fabled Hammer Studios. Told in flashback, the story centers around Baron Victor Frankenstein (Peter Cushing), a dangerously arrogant scientist who takes it upon himself to play God. Using portions of dead bodies, Victor fashions a synthetic monster (Christopher Lee) with a bad attitude. In a radical departure from the Frankenstein canon, it is the imperious Victor who orchestrates the film's two murders by "borrowing" the brain of a learned professor, then leaving his next victim at the mercy of the monster. In 1958, the film spwaned the sequel Revenge of Frankenstein. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

When the English Civil War is winding down but the Roundheads and Royalists are still at odds with each other, it is decided that the King, Raymond, should be moved from England to France for safekeeping. When the Cavalier assigned the task is thwarted by the discovery of the scheme, other measures must be taken. Good action scenes with a smidgen of romance thrown in for good measure. ~ Tana Hobart, All Movie Guide

One of Charles Dickens' most popular novels (and one of his most controversial, inasmuch as he boldly killed off a principal character despite great public outcry), The Old Curiosity Shop has been adapted for television on several occasions. One of the earliest serialized versions was assembled by the BBC, with future Doctor Who star Patrick Troughton hamming it up gloriously as malevolent dwarf Daniel Quilp. Insinuating himself into the life of an elderly shopkeeper, Quilp virtually enslaved the poor old man by playing upon his greatest weakness -- gambling. It was up to the shopkeeper's dauntless granddaughter Little Nell (Michele Dotrice) to save the day, albeit at great and tragic personal cost to herself. This version of The Old Curiosity Shop was doled out in six 25-minute episodes, beginning November 25, 1962. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

A small German town falls prey to an unseen monster that turns its victims into lifeless statues in this mid-'60s outing from Hammer Studios. When the girlfriend of bohemian artist Bruno Heitz (Jeremy Longhurst) becomes the latest townsperson to turn up dead, her corpse transformed to stone, Bruno hangs himself, leaving the town to assume his guilt. But when his father, Prof. Heitz (Michael Goodliffe), comes to investigate, he too encounters the Gorgon and turns to stone. Just before dying, the professor dashes off instructions to his other son, Paul (Richard Pasco), about how to exonerate Bruno. Suspicion falls on Dr. Namaroff (Peter Cushing), proprietor of the local madhouse, although one of his patients (Joyce Hemson) seems just as likely a culprit. Then along comes Prof. Carl Maister (Christopher Lee), a folklore expert from the University of Leipzig, who claims that the murderer is actually a human possessed by the spirit of Magaera, one of Medusa's snake-haired sisters from Greek mythology. Together, Paul and Dr. Namaroff attempt to root out the incognito Gorgon while Paul courts lovely amnesiac Carla Hoffman (Barbara Shelley). Directed by Hammer veteran Terence Fisher, The Gorgon is one of several films to feature British horror mainstays Lee and Cushing side by side. In the States, the film appeared with The Curse of the Mummy's Tomb on a double bill promoted by the distribution of a unique giveaway item: black stamps. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide

The TARDIS arrives in 18th century Scotland -- just in time for the Battle of Culloden. This turn of events obliges the Doctor (Patrick Troughton) to choose up sides: Will he align himself with the Scots, or cast his lot with the English troops? Meanwhile, Ben (Michael Craze) faces the possibility of a lifetime in slavery. Written by Elwyn Jones and Gerry Davis, the four-part adventure "The Highlanders" commenced on December 17, 1966; none of the four episodes are currently available. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the second episode of the four-part story "The Highlanders," the Doctor (Patrick Troughton) and Ben (Michael Craze) are still marooned in Scotland, in the aftermath of the Battle of Culloden. The Doctor endeavors to rescue a group of defeated Scotsmen who are about to be sold as slaves. Meanwhile, Ben struggles to escape a life of forced servitude himself, a task which requires him to match wits with the formidable Solicitor Grey (David Garth). Written by Elwyn Jones and Gerry Davis, "The Highlanders, Episode 2" originally aired on December 24, 1966; this episode is currently unavailable for reappraisal. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the conclusion of the six-part story "The Power of the Daleks," the Earth colony on Vulcan braces itself against the final assault of the dreaded mutant Daleks. Also pitching in are the "new" Doctor Who (Patrick Troughton) and his recently reunited companions, Polly (Annika Wills) and Ben (Michael Craze). But their combined efforts may well come to naught, thanks to a traitor in their midst. Written by David Whitaker and (uncredited) Dennis Spooner, "The Power of the Daleks, Episode 6" first aired on December 10, 1966; at present, this episode is believed to be lost. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide