Episode 120: Doctor Who in London

A brainchild of Sydney Newman and first broadcast on 23 November 1963, Doctor Who has been a staple of British television and has reached global audiences. To understand the significance of this long-running series is to delve deep into the fabric of British popular culture, exploring themes that transcend mere entertainment. Whether it’s the socio-political narratives that have been cleverly woven into its storylines or the imaginative realms it transports us to, Doctor Who has made an indelible impact, not just in the realm of science fiction, but in the broader context of British media.

David Turnbull, is our guest for today, brings a wealth of knowledge and insightful analysis. His published works on British television history offer a nuanced perspective, and today he will help us untangle the rich tapestry that makes Doctor Who a cultural phenomenon. We’ll explore its beginnings, its pivotal moments, and of course, its enduring appeal. For ardent fans, get ready for a captivating conversation filled with interesting trivia, scholarly discussion, and perhaps a fresh viewpoint on the Time Lord’s many adventures. And if you’re new to Doctor Who, what better time to get acquainted with this remarkable series than on its 60th anniversary? So, make yourself comfortable, perhaps grab a cuppa, as we embark on a journey through time and space in the heart of London’s history, through the lens of the Doctor’s ever-astonishing escapades. Stay tuned, and let’s get the conversation started.

Hazel Baker

Joining me in the studio today is David Turnbull, a sci-fi and horror author who has published a novella, a children’s fantasy featuring dragons and airships, as well as a collection of flash fiction. He’s also a Lambeth tour guide and offers Doctor Who walking tours through us at London Guided Walks. Hello, David.

 

David Turnbull

Hello. It’s very nice to be here with you this morning. I’m looking forward to talking about one of my favourite subjects: Doctor Who.

 

Hazel Baker

Doctor Who, you say? Well, that is one of the questions, because we do have people listening in from all across the world. So, it might be worth introducing Doctor Who to the audience.

 

David Turnbull

So, Doctor Who is the longest-running science fiction series on television. It first aired on 23 November 1963, the day after the world-shattering event of John F. Kennedy’s assassination in Dallas. The programme was slightly delayed in its broadcast because BBC news coverage of Lyndon Johnson’s inauguration as the new President of America had taken precedence. Actually, the first series was repeated the following Saturday because the BBC had invested so much in this new series that they wanted to make sure people got a second opportunity to see it if they’d missed it. It has endured now for 60 years, although it was cancelled in 1989. Thankfully, it is now back on air and is one of the most popular TV shows in the UK, and indeed in many other countries across the world.

 

Hazel Baker

So, as you quite rightly pointed out there, David, Doctor Who is now celebrating its 60th anniversary this November. What factors, in your opinion, have contributed to the show’s longevity? And could you also discuss its cultural impact?

 

David Turnbull

Well,  I think for me that that the premise of the show of a time traveler who arrives in a time machine and can whisk your way to other worlds.

 

David Turnbull

It ticks a lot of boxes with people. I mean if you’ve got quite a mundane life or maybe a hectic life or you are a bit depressed about what you say on the news. The idea that somebody could come and say would you like to be my companion. I have this police box. You can step inside. It’s bigger on the inside than it is on the outside and I can take you to any time in history any time in the future I can take you to alien planets I can take you to other worlds. So I think that is very attractive. And it’s not really a new idea.  you could in the past go through a wardrobe and end up in Narnia, you could be taken by a lost boy on a flight to Neverland so it’s something in literature and fantasy and science fiction that that is really. Ah, quite a common trope.  I think it really goes back even further to the stories of people who were taken into fairyland, and I can think going back to the Scottish borders where I grew up the story of Tamlin who went into the land of the fairies and also the story of Thomas the rhymer who fell asleep by the Elden tree and was enticed into fairyland by the fairy queen. So  I think there are many similarities that that are are really embedded in the British culture.

 

David Turnbull

This idea of travelling to other worlds with ah a wizard or a stranger or a time traveller or a tour guide. Yeah, we can take you into take you into the past.

 

David Turnbull

We can speculate about the future, and we can show you things you might never have seen before. The BBC conducted extensive research before they commissioned Doctor Who, and they were quite convinced at the time about the genre’s popularity. In the 1950s, they had broadcast ‘Quatermass,’ a series featuring Professor Nigel Kneale, which had been highly successful. They were also aware of emerging trends, such as the animated puppet series like ‘Fireball XL5,’ which were performing well on ITV.

 

Moreover, the BBC recognised that themes of time travel and alien invasions were not new; in fact, they had roots in South London. Bromley’s own H.G. Wells had penned seminal works like ‘War of the Worlds’ and ‘The Time Machine.’ Around the time Doctor Who was commissioned, there had already been a successful Hollywood cinema adaptation of ‘The Time Machine.’ Consequently, the BBC was quite confident that Doctor Who would be a popular series. While they may not have anticipated its longevity—remaining popular for 60 years—they certainly expected it to have a successful run for a few years.

 

David Turnbull

So, they were really doing their homework before the show came out. In terms of its impact, I believe the key elements—the Time Lord, his companions, and the TARDIS—have remained consistent throughout the entire series. These fundamental aspects of Doctor Who have resonated with audiences, ticking all the right boxes, and they have remained as the basic premise for 60 years. The Doctor, as a time traveller, will, through whichever plotline unfolds, find a new companion, and together they will embark on their adventures.

 

However, there was a great deal of innovation in the early days, particularly in terms of set and costume design. Given the absence of modern CGI technology, the creators had to be particularly inventive. I believe this ingenuity influenced other BBC and ITV dramas in the way sets and costumes were designed and assembled.

 

One of the most enduring legacies, however, is the title sequence. The famous Doctor Who theme music was composed by Ron Grainer and brought to life by a young woman named Delia Derbyshire.

 

07:57.40

 David Turnbull

To truly understand his composition, she introduced electronic synthesiser music that had never been heard in the UK until that day in 1963, when suddenly that music graced our television screens. Indeed, it perfectly complements the theme of the show and has been highly influential. You may not be aware, but many electronic music bands from the 1980s and 1990s were greatly influenced by it.

 

08:16.47

Hazel Baker

It is very other-worldly isn’t it.

 

08:35.83

David Turnbull

Several artists have cited Delia Derbyshire as a significant influence on their work. Notably, the Aphex Twins and The Chemical Brothers are keen to credit her as a pivotal figure who helped them explore the realm of electronic music.

 

In addition, the title sequence of Doctor Who was designed by Bernard Lodge, who developed an innovative technique known as ‘howl-around’. This involved pointing a camera back at its own monitor, creating imagery through feedback similar to that produced between a speaker and a microphone. This striking visual approach became iconic, not just for Doctor Who, but also found its way into numerous other television programmes, particularly on shows like ‘Top of the Pops’, where it added a touch of psychedelia to accompany bands.

 

Furthermore, the influence of this title sequence can be seen in another science fiction series, ‘The Tomorrow People’. The opening visuals bear a strong resemblance to those of Doctor Who. Interestingly, Delia Derbyshire was also involved in creating the music for ‘The Tomorrow People’, once again utilising her synthesiser skills.

 

So, all in all, both Delia Derbyshire and Bernard Lodge had a highly influential impact on how television was presented, particularly before the widespread adoption of CGI technology.

 

10:01.84

Hazel Baker

So, essentially, the focus is on thorough preparation—doing your homework and conducting in-depth research to arrive at your conclusions. Additionally, it’s important to stay current. For example, consider significant events like the moon landing and their impact on popular culture. Contemporary influences in futuristic music, as exemplified by artists like Joe Meek, also play a role. All these elements converge to contribute to the broader landscape. As you pointed out, innovative filming effects are another facet to consider. All of these components should be kept in mind and updated accordingly.

 

 David Turnbull

Yes, indeed, we were precisely in the midst of the space race between the Soviet Union and the Americans, thereby maintaining its contemporary relevance.

 

David Turnbull

On everyone’s minds, as you and Joe mentioned, is the famous Telstar, which I believe actually reached number one. So, yes.

 

Hazel Baker

So, as a Doctor Who aficionado, could you perhaps share some of your personal recollections of the series over the years? For those who haven’t yet watched the series, could you also recommend some of the top episodes that you think people should definitely watch?

 

David Turnbull

My relationship with Doctor Who dates back to its very inception on the 23rd of November, 1963, at 16 minutes past five in the afternoon. Interestingly, my birthday falls on the 25th of November, so at the time, there was a birthday celebration underway at my grandparents’ home. For context, I was raised in Kelso, and it happened to be my fifth birthday. My grandfather worked as a weaver in a woollen mill during a period when Selkirkshire was the hub of the tweed industry in the Scottish Borders. Yet, he was more than just a craftsman; he was also an avid fan of science fiction. In his younger days, he had even attended movie matinees featuring Buster Crabbe in roles such as Buck Rogers and Flash Gordon.

 

David Turnbull

So, whereas other grandparents might regale you with tales of Little Red Riding Hood or the Three Bears, he would captivate us with stories of Flash Gordon and his companions, Dale Arden and Professor Zarkov, doing battle with Ming the Merciless on the planet Mongo. Therefore, Doctor Who was precisely to his taste. At 5:15, all birthday festivities came to a halt, and I sat on his lap. The first episode of Doctor Who began, and I believe that both the title sequence and the music captivated us immediately. The episode was titled ‘An Unearthly Child’ and was set in London. It featured William Hartnell as the Doctor and Carole Ann Ford as the Doctor’s granddaughter, Susan. The TARDIS had materialised in a scrapyard.

 

Susan was attempting to pose as a secondary school student, and two teachers were deeply concerned about her well-being. They followed her to the scrapyard and were swiftly transported in the TARDIS to the prehistoric era, where they encountered cave dwellers. From that point on, they were essentially lost in space and time, embarking on a number of adventures with the Doctor and Susan.

 

My grandfather and I were captivated from that moment, and it became a cherished ritual for us to be at his house every Saturday at 15:55 to watch Doctor Who. We followed the series through the William Hartnell era and the Patrick Troughton era. Sadly, my grandfather passed away a month or so after John Pertwee was announced as the new Doctor, and so he never had the chance to experience that particular phase of the show. Nonetheless, I’ve continued the tradition. Whenever I watch Doctor Who, I think warmly of my grandfather and his tales of Flash Gordon. At times, I’m quite moved, simply recalling how we used to watch the series together and discuss its various plots.

 

David Turnbull

In those days, episodes often ended on a cliffhanger, and we always tried to guess what would happen the following week. Sometimes we were right; sometimes we got it completely wrong. It’s a fond memory, but in terms of London, there are two series that particularly stick in my mind.

 

The first one was from 1964, during William Hartnell’s era, featuring the Daleks’ invasion of Earth. There is a famous scene where the Daleks appear on Westminster Bridge with the backdrop of the House of Commons. They had first encountered the Daleks on the planet of the Daleks, which was the second series after the Cave Dwellers episode. Although they thought the Daleks had been defeated, lo and behold, in the 22nd century, the Daleks had invaded and conquered Earth. Interestingly, the series began on 21 November, quite close to my birthday, and ended on Boxing Day. It consisted of six episodes, featuring scenes on Westminster Bridge, the riverside walkway at the side of St Thomas’s Hospital, and a rather iconic scene of a Dalek rising from the River Thames near Hammersmith Bridge.

 

The series was extremely popular and even made the front pages of numerous newspapers, thanks to publicity shots of the Daleks crossing the bridge. This was also the last episode in which Carole Ann Ford appeared. There’s a subtle love story in this episode; she falls in love with one of the resistance fighters and decides to stay in the 22nd century to help rebuild the world after the Daleks have been defeated. The episode concludes with a touching monologue by William Hartnell, which many believe served not only as part of the storyline but also as his farewell to Carole Ann Ford. I remember watching subsequent episodes and pondering what she might be doing, as if the events had genuinely occurred. It felt very real to me. Additionally, there was also a movie version of the Daleks’ invasion of Earth.

 

With Peter Cushing, the famous Hammer Horror actor, playing the role of the Doctor, the second movie followed an initial film that was a recreation of “The Planet of the Daleks.” The sequel featured Bernard Cribbins as a policeman who finds himself transported to the future alongside the Doctor. Intriguingly, the base for Earth’s resistance against the Daleks is located at Embankment tube station, which is where the characters venture.

 

This particular storyline came about during the Patrick Troughton era and was broadcast in March 1968. Titled “The Web of Fear,” it introduced viewers to another type of robotic menace known as the Yeti, which the Doctor had first encountered in Tibet. Though they resembled abominable snowmen, these creatures were entirely mechanical. In this story arc, they invaded the London Underground system, and all of London became ensnared in a web-like fungus. The episodes notably feature Covent Garden, Goodge Street, and Victoria Station among other locations.

 

“The Web of Fear” gained notoriety because, at one point, only one episode was known to have survived. However, a serendipitous discovery was made when some film reels were found in Nigeria. Consequently, another four episodes resurfaced, leaving us with five episodes of the original six-episode serial. Should anyone discover the final, missing sixth episode in their attic, it would complete this iconic sequence.

 

I believe they would generate quite a significant income from that, especially the BBC, who are keen to rectify their past actions from the 1960s when they taped over some of their shows. They are now eager to locate and archive them.

 

Regarding missing episodes, there are indeed many famous series with entire episodes that have been lost. At the time, people didn’t anticipate that these would become classic series.

 

David Turnbull: People are interested in going back and revisiting these episodes.

 

Hazel Baker: Indeed, some episodes have a focus on London. You mentioned how London has often served as a backdrop for numerous Doctor Who episodes.

 

David Turnbull: Precisely.

 

Hazel Baker: Let’s discuss iconic London landmarks that have made appearances in the show. On your guided walk, which I thoroughly enjoyed, we even get to see the Houses of Parliament across the river, much like in the TV series.

 

David Turnbull

Yes, indeed, the Houses of Parliament and the Clock Tower, commonly known as Big Ben, have frequently featured in various episodes of Doctor Who. For example, in “Invasion of the Daleks” and in David Tennant’s first appearance as the Doctor, the TARDIS is out of control and spiralling through the sky. During this chaotic flight, it dislodges a substantial piece of masonry from the Clock Tower before crash-landing further along the Thames.

 

In Peter Capaldi’s inaugural episode, the setting includes both the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben as a backdrop. Intriguingly, the episode is set in the Victorian era, and behind St Thomas’s Hospital, a Tyrannosaurus rex can be seen prowling. The creature has actually swallowed the TARDIS, only to cough it up later. As it is expelled like a piece of lodged meat, Peter Capaldi makes his debut as the Doctor.

 

Furthermore, John Barrowman, who is well-known for his roles in musical theatre, also portrayed Captain Jack in both Torchwood and Doctor Who. In one memorable episode, he tethers his spaceship to the tower of Big Ben.

 

Finally, the Post Office Tower also makes an appearance in a Doctor Who film.

 

So, it hadn’t been built for long, and I believe they sought something iconic to signify that this was London. The premise is that the city has been completely devastated by the Dalek invasion, with buildings lying in rubble and so forth. However, you can still see the Post Office Tower in the background. It appears to have survived, and it was likely used as a marker point to indicate that this setting is London in the 22nd century. Here’s something you recognise, perhaps?

 

Hazel Baker

Yes, I believe that if you are discussing the introduction of a new Doctor, it’s essential to provide something familiar to the audience, especially if you are also introducing new elements. It’s a sort of ‘coming home’ each time.”

 

David Turnbull:

Certainly, and in the earlier series, the Doctor would often rematerialise inside the TARDIS, giving us no sense of his location. However, the modern iterations tend to feature iconic landmarks, whether in London or elsewhere, as a point of arrival. For instance, The Shard and the London Eye have made appearances in the series. Specifically, The Shard was featured in the episode “The Bells of St. John,” where the Great Intelligence is collaborating with Miss Kislett, portrayed by the wonderful Celia Imrie. They use the Wi-Fi system to manipulate people’s behaviour.

 

This episode falls within the Matt Smith era and introduces Jenna-Louise Coleman as his new companion. She has appeared in the series previously, as Matt Smith’s Doctor had been tracking her across different periods in time. However, it is her twenty-first-century incarnation that becomes his companion. Matt Smith has said that this is one of his favourite episodes because he got the opportunity to race across Westminster Bridge and Waterloo Bridge on a motorbike. He felt as if he were in “The Bourne Identity,” not just an episode of Doctor Who.

 

Hazel Baker:

That episode was indeed filmed in part around the Waterloo area, wasn’t it?

 

David Turnbull:

Absolutely, and speaking of significant dates, as important as the 23rd of November 1963, we have the 26th of March 2005. On this day, Russell T. Davies finally convinced the BBC to relaunch Doctor Who. Fittingly, the show relaunches at the London Eye, which is taken over by an alien intelligence known as the Nestene Consciousness. They are in league with the Autons, who have the ability to animate inanimate objects.

 

Hazel Baker:

Ah, fascinating.

 

David Turnbull:

The episode introduces Billie Piper as Rose, and a lot of the scenes are filmed with the Houses of Commons in the background. But really, London and I serve as the main setting. Russell T Davies was given permission to add additional lighting to the London Eye, making it appear even brighter in the night sky. It’s an important site for the new generation of Doctor Who fans; for them, it all really started with Christopher Eccleston and Billie Piper.

 

Hazel Baker:

Wow, yes. The theme involving mannequins is quite unsettling, isn’t it? It also appears in the 2016 remake of Ghostbusters. It’s a scary thought.

 

David Turnbull:

Indeed, anything that usually stands still and then comes to life is terrifying. Doctor Who excels at inducing that kind of fear.

 

Hazel Baker:

Absolutely, that has been a consistent theme throughout the series.

 

David Turnbull:

Both adults and children find it scary, which has always been a part of its charm. I think there’s nothing wrong with being scared, as long as you know it’s fantasy and fiction. People often describe watching Doctor Who as a “behind the couch” experience.

 

Hazel Baker:

Indeed. My sister still watches Jaws with her feet off the floor, for example. Now, how has the portrayal of Doctor Who changed over the years? Is there a distinct difference between the classic series and the revised version?

 

David Turnbull:

The original portrayal by William Hartnell was of a grandfatherly figure, actually a grandfather to Susan. He wore a Victorian frock coat and was quite grumpy. Patrick Troughton looked to Charlie Chaplin for inspiration and played the Doctor as a bit of a disheveled tramp. From Tom Baker onwards, the character became more eccentric and began to relate more equally to his companions.

 

Hazel Baker:

I see.

 

David Turnbull:

The Doctors of the 1980s, such as Peter Davison and Colin Baker, wore brighter colours than their predecessors. The big change in the new series has been greater diversity. We’ve had our first female Doctor, and soon we’ll have our first black Doctor. Russell T Davies wanted to shift away from the middle-class feel, so Christopher Eccleston portrayed the Doctor with a Northern accent, and Billie Piper’s character lived on a council housing estate in Lambeth, specifically the Brandon Estate.

 

Hazel Baker:

Right. Now, Doctor Who has also incorporated real historical figures and events. What London historical figures and events have been featured or referenced in the series?

 

David Turnbull:

In the original series, the BBC executives were keen to fulfil Lord Reith’s remit to entertain, educate, and inform. Therefore, the Doctor travelled back to various historical periods, including the time of the cave dwellers, Marco Polo’s voyages to China, and the Aztec period in South America.

David Turnbull:

They visited the French Revolution and the Battle of Culloden, where Patrick Troughton recruited his companion Jamie McCrimmon, portrayed by Frazer Hines, who is also known for his role in Emmerdale Farm. Notably, Jamie McCrimmon is among the longest-running companions in Doctor Who history. Initially, there was a significant push for historically factual episodes to counterbalance those featuring monsters and aliens. However, the second serial of the series was “Planet of the Daleks,” and such characters became so popular that, over the past 60 years, approximately 80% of episodes have featured aliens, robots, or monsters. Only 20% are purely historical, and even those usually feature a monster lurking in the storyline. Historical figures the Doctor has encountered include H.G. Wells, Charles Dickens, Vincent van Gogh, and George Stephenson of railway fame. More recently, Queen Victoria and Winston Churchill have appeared multiple times, often aiding the Doctor in defending Earth from alien invasions.

 

Hazel Baker:

Indeed, that is correct.

 

David Turnbull:

For instance, in one episode Churchill reveals that he has acquired a Dalek as a weapon to defeat the Nazis, drawing parallels to the moral dilemma faced by J. Robert Oppenheimer with nuclear weapons. The Doctor spends the episode trying to convince Churchill that utilising a Dalek is not a wise decision.

 

Hazel Baker:

Ah, I see.

 

David Turnbull:

In another storyline, the character River Song, played by Alex Kingston and who happens to be the Doctor’s daughter through a convoluted plotline, is sent back in time to assassinate Hitler. This storyline taps into the well-known science fiction trope of whether one would kill Hitler if given the opportunity to travel back in time, and what the consequences might be.

 

Hazel Baker:

Indeed, that’s a thought-provoking angle.

 

David Turnbull:

Regarding the symbiotic relationship between Doctor Who and London, the city has clearly influenced the storytelling, particularly in the original series, which was influenced by the still-fresh memories of World War II and the Blitz. The Daleks were inspired by the Nazis, and London served as a backdrop for several episodes featuring alien invasions. These stories reflect societal concerns and play into British cultural attitudes about invasion.

 

Hazel Baker:

Yes, it’s intriguing to see how the series has adapted over the years, reflecting changes not just in technology but also in storytelling style and pace, much like the city of London itself.

 

David Turnbull:

Exactly, and this has been influenced by people’s changing viewing habits, which have no doubt been affected by the development of the internet and live streaming. Before, if you missed an episode, that was it. Now, we have the luxury of watching it on-demand, akin to having a time machine of our own.

 

Hazel Baker:

Certainly, it’s a fascinating aspect of how times have changed.

 

David Turnbull:

Episodes that centre around alien invasions in London serve as a cultural mirror, reflecting British attitudes and societal concerns. The Daleks and Cybermen are iconic examples that play into the British cultural narrative about invasion and defence, shaped over years by the nation’s history.

 

David Turnbull:

He was 23 when he wrote it. Imagine getting your first break in television and having the opportunity to write the 25th-anniversary episode of Doctor Who, particularly “Remembrance of the Daleks.”

 

Hazel Baker:

 

David Turnbull:

In his novelisation, he explores the topic of racism quite extensively. In the TV series, there’s a former member of Oswald Mosley’s Blackshirts who’s in league with the Daleks.

 

Hazel Baker:

Oh.

 

David Turnbull:

He further explores this through the Doctor’s companion, Ace, played by Sophie Aldred, who was born in Greenwich. There’s a subplot where she’s attracted to one of the soldiers but discovers he’s in league with a member of the Blackshirts. This triggers a memory of his girlfriend, who is Indian and had faced a severe racial attack.

 

Hazel Baker:

All that.

 

David Turnbull:

As society has progressed, the storylines in Doctor Who often reflect current concerns. For instance, recent episodes tackle topics like terrorism and migration. The next Doctor, Shetty Gatwa, came to the UK as a two-year-old refugee from the Rwandan massacre. It’s an excellent decision for the 60th anniversary and reflects our multicultural society.

 

Hazel Baker:

And if we transition from the on-screen Doctor Who to its influence in fan clubs, conventions, and even museum exhibits, could you elaborate on its role in London’s cultural landscape?

 

David Turnbull:

Certainly. Doctor Who has a constant presence in London, whether through exhibitions, film showings at the BFI, or Doctor Who conventions. The fanbase kept the show alive after its cancellation in 1989. Even venues like the Vauxhall Cavern host Doctor Who-themed shows.

 

Hazel Baker:

Oh.

 

David Turnbull:

The series also has a strong relationship with the LGBTQ community. The BFI archives house scripts, series, films, books, and academic papers on Doctor Who. For those interested, it’s worth joining the Reuben Library at the BFI.

 

Hazel Baker:

And if someone takes your Doctor Who tour in Waterloo, what are the key insights you hope they would gain regarding the show’s history and its relationship with London?

 

David Turnbull:

Firstly, I’d like them to understand the strong connections between the show and Waterloo, with significant episodes being filmed in the area. Also, I’d like them to get a sense of the wider history of the area, such as its industrial past and its importance during events like the Festival of Britain in 1951.

 

Hazel Baker:

Fantastic. David, thank you for joining us. For those interested in booking a walking tour with David, he offers both public guided walks and private tours. Dates for the start of 2024 are already up. David, we appreciate your time today.

 

David Turnbull:

Thank you, and I look forward to guiding people through time and relative dimensions in space.

 

Hazel Baker:

That’s all for now. Until next time!