Doctor Who: The Sixties

On 23 November 1963, a British institution was born. Doctor Who ran for almost 30 years and commanded a following no other TV programme matched. But in its day it had to face fierce opposition from within the BBC, and it only narrowly missed being axed after its first season when questions about the Darleks and their terrifying effects on children were asked in the House. This book is the definitive record of these early years, providing an insight into a production process very different from the sophisticated studio methods of today, and tells something of the internal political wranglings at the BBC. Actors, writers, directors and crew recall their contributions in a decade which saw the development of colour broadcasting and the move from primitive one-take studio sets to more elaborate location filming. The technical and creative processes involved are examined, revealing that many of the effects that were to become hallmarks of the series came about only by accident, and showing how episodes would often be patched together as budgets dictated the way the stories would develop.