Paul Whitsun-Jones Movies

In the fourth episode of the six-part story "The Mutants," the Doctor (Jon Pertwee) catches up with Solonian rebel Ky (Garrick Hagan), who has been framed for murder by the dictatorial Marshal (Paul Whitsun-Jones) of the orbiting Earth Skybase. Realizing that it is Ky to whom he is to deliver a secret package from the Time Lords, the Doctor completes his mission -- thus setting in motion the evolutionary process that will free the planet Solos from the Marshal's iron grip. But this story is far from over, as the Doctor will learn in the remaining two installments. Written by Bob Baker and David Martin, "The Mutants, Episode 4" first aired on April 29, 1972. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the conclusion of the six-part story "The Mutants," the despotic Marshal (Paul Whitsun-Jones) of the orbiting Earth Skybase prepares to launch an invasion of the planet Solos. But thanks to the combined efforts of the Doctor (Jon Pertwee) and resistance leader Ky (Garrick Hagan), the Marshal is too late to stop the evolutionary process that will enable the Solonions to declare their independence. And what an evolution it is: Even Darwin couldn't have done better. Written by Bob Baker and David Martin, "The Mutants, Episode 6" first aired on May 13, 1972. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the second episode of the six-part story "The Mutants," the Doctor (Jon Pertwee) and Jo (Katy Manning) arrive on the planet Solos, there to help the primitive inhabitants begin their crucial evolutionary process. This assignment is complicated by the dictatorial Marshal (Paul Whitsun-Jones) of the orbiting Earth Skybase, who fears that once the Solonians evolve, they will demand full independence. An obvious but entertaining jab at Western colonialism, "The Mutants, Episode 2" was written by Bob Baker and David Martin; the episode first aired on April 15, 1972. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In a clever, gender-bending twist on the classic Robert Louis Stevenson tale, the research done by Dr. Henry Jekyll (Ralph Bates) in the field of artificially-induced human longevity involves experimentation with female hormones. When he partakes of his own formula and the inevitable Jekyll-into-Hyde transformation takes place, he changes into a ravishing female version of himself (famed "B"-movie siren Martine Beswick). Claiming to be Jekyll's sister, Ms. Hyde is lovely but lethal: she uses her alluring charms to seduce men then kills them and absconds with their bodies for use in further experiments. A much more interesting twist comes when Jekyll finds himself falling in love with the girl next door (Susan Brodrick), while simultaneously lusting after the girl's brother (Lewis Fiander) as Hyde. Although Brian Clemens' script manages to exploit this unique premise for shock value, the story fumbles where it counts, failing to fully explore the implicit questions of sexual identity which haunt Jekyll's psyche and burst to the surface when Hyde is on the prowl. ~ Cavett Binion, All Movie Guide

Richard Beckinsdale starred in this British children's series, which was devoted to quickie comedy sketches based upon "nonsense" poems. Beckinsdale and his talented supporting cast acted out the zaniness set down in print by such master humorists as Edward Lear and Spike Milligan. It wasn't supposed to make any sense, and in this respect the program succeeded beyond anyone's wildest imagination. Doled by Thames Television in six half-hour installments from April 2 to May 2, 1971, the series is best remembered for its theme song, which went something like, "Ha Ha Ha/Hee Hee Hee/Elephant's Eggs in a Rhubarb Tree." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The Incredible Adventures of Prof. Branestawm was based on a popular 1930s British radio series of the same name, which in turn was inspired by the writings of Norman Hunter. A one-time magician, Hunter was fascinated with intricate gadgets and toys, and he passed this fascination along to his fictional alter-ego, Professor Theophilus Branestawm. Capable of developing the most complicated inventions known to mankind, the good Professor nonetheless usually came a-cropper because of his chronic absent-mindedness. Norman Hunter's prose was rife with such colorful turns of phrases as "The inventions went a bit bustable" and with a vast array of daffy definitions ("Abominable," for example, was a word describing "a piece of explosive swallowed by a male cow"). From July 10 to August 28, 1969, a weekly, 25-minute TV version of The Incredible Adventures of Prof. Branestawm was beamed out to the United Kingdom, with scripts adapted by Trevor Preston. Jack Woolgar starred in the title role, with Paul Whitsun-Jones as Branestawm's best friend, Col. Dedshot of the Catapult Cavaliers, and Freda Dowie as the Professor's unflappable housekeeper Mrs. Flittersnoop. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

A legendary Jack the Ripper-type killer named the Gaslight Ghoul has apparently returned from the dead. Using the London fog as his cover, the Ghoul is systematically bumping off members of a world disarmament conference. Steed and Tara investigate this phenomenon, only to find themselves on the venerable murderer's hit list. Written by frequent Avengers guest star Jeremy Burnham, "Fog" made its British TV bow on March 12, 1969; it had previously aired in America that same year, on February 17. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In this sexy comedy an affianced woman decides to sow one last wild oat before becoming a devoted wife. She therefore dresses up in a slinky black number and goes to her company Christmas party. The shapely lass impresses both her boss and a sales manager for the cosmetic company. The manager then sends her a new dress and she goes to his hotel room to have a little lunch. When he makes a pass, she flees and returns to the party and spikes the punch. When her fiance shows up, they all kick him out. Soon the drunken party-goers begin cozying up to one another. The girl realizes she has gone too far and sets off the company sprinkler system to sober them up. Things are suitably dampened and the partiers begin getting rather glum until they hear that one of the employee's wives has given birth. Later, the troublemaker makes nice with her fiance and they leave. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

Doctor Who inaugurated its fourth season on September 10, 1966, with episode one of the four-part "The Smugglers." The TARDIS materializes in a cave off a seacoast, but the Doctor (William Hartnell) doesn't know where he is or what year he's in. Soon, however, the Doctor and his companions Ben (Michael Craze) and Polly (Anneke Wills) learn they've arrived in 17th century Cornwall -- smack in the middle of a hotbed of intrigue involving smugglers, pirates, and a mysterious murder. Written by Brian Sayles, "The Smugglers, Episode One" no longer exists in the BBC archives -- nor, for that matter, do episodes two, three, or four, save for a few brief fragments (including, in the case of this episode, the murder that sets the plot in motion). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

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

The BBC comedy series World of Wooster was based on P.G. Wodehouse's whimsical short stories about upper-class twit Bertie Wooster (Ian Carmichael) and his ever-resourceful (and infinitely more intelligent) butler Jeeves (Dennis Price). Most of the stories dealt with Bertie's desultory romances, with Jeeves forever coming to the rescue of his master when things threatened to go beyond the point of no return. Debuting May 30, 1965, the series ran for three seasons; by the time of its final telecast on November 16, 1967, the title had been changed to The World of Wodehouse so that those P.G. Wodehouse stories not featuring Jeeves and Wooster could be utilized. Alas, of the series' 20 videotaped episodes, only two are currently known to exist in the BBC vaults. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Though based on two Edgar Allen Poe stories, Masque of the Red Death relies more upon its mood and atmosphere than its story values for its success. During a devastating 12th-century plague called "The Red Death," the decadent, devil-worshipping Prince Prospero (Vincent Price) holds court over a bizarre masked ball. Already established as a sadistic torturer, Prospero insists that his "guests" indulge in numerous depraved games, most of them ending with someone's death. Only two innocents are permitted to escape intact, but they go through the torments of the Damned to do so. Hazel Court is on hand as a Satanist who brands her breast for Price's bored amusement, while Patrick Magee is horribly burned to death by "Hop Frog" (Skip Martin), Price's demonic flunkey. The literally diabolical performance of Vincent Price is superbly complemented throughout by the crimson-dominated cinematography of Nicholas Roeg. Unlike many of Roger Corman's economical Price/Poe projects, The Masque of the Red Death boasts a generous budget, which the canny filmmaker exploits to the utmost. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide