Ch-ch-changes
One of the most outstanding success stories of the TV age since its monochromatic launch onto our screens in November 1963, the adventures of The Man from Gallifrey are now set for serious mega-bucks treatment at the hands of Steven Spielberg. who's done a deal with the Beeb to create a new telly series and a big screen version. Before we hear that someone completely unsuitable (Big Arnie? Stallone? Woody Allen?) has been cast, let's look back at the ever-changing faces of the good Doctor we came to know and love.
1. (Above) In the beginning there were clowns and panto Chinamen - and crusty old William Hartnell pitting his wits against baddles wielding hand-whisks and plumbers' plungers.
2. (Below) Still 'crotchety, but hinting at an ability to become A Man Of Action, Patrick Troughton steered the Tardis into new perils and excitement using what looks suspiciously like the control panels of a pre-war BBC sound desk.
3. Look behind you! Jon Pertwee's caped crusading Doctor gained a wonderful vintage car and drove arch-enemy The Master up the wall and round the bend. Gave Daleks a run for their money too!
4. (Left) The transformation of Dr. Who into a real action man came with Tom Bell, his flasher's overcoat and his trend-setting extremely long scarf. Bet you had one too, didn't you? Bet your Mum knitted it....
5. Anyone for croquet? The Victorian rugger bugger incarnate, Peter Davidson's Doctor was braver than he was bright and got into half his scrapes because he cared more about form than getting his zap in first. is that a cricket ball in your pocket, or are you just pleased to see me?
6. (Right) The only Doctor to have appeared before transmogrifying into Our Hero (he played Commander Maxil in Arc of Affinity), Colin Baker linked with the personality of his larger-than-life no-relation namesake Tom to be more unpredictable, sometimes aloof and always assertive.
7. (Right) A real Jekyll and Hyde Doctor - he could be mysterious, kindly and sinister in the course of a half-hour episode - Sylvester McCoy also brought a welcome (to some, but not all) touch of tongue-In-cheek to his portrayal. And he swung a mean red-handled umbrella when all else failed.
Spelling corrections: Tom Baker, Peter Davison
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- APA 6th ed.: (June 1994). Ch-ch-changes. Gold p. 24.
- MLA 7th ed.: "Ch-ch-changes." Gold [add city] June 1994, 24. Print.
- Chicago 15th ed.: "Ch-ch-changes." Gold, edition, sec., June 1994
- Turabian: "Ch-ch-changes." Gold, June 1994, section, 24 edition.
- Wikipedia (this article): <ref>{{cite news| title=Ch-ch-changes | url=http://cuttingsarchive.org/index.php/Ch-ch-changes | work=Gold | pages=24 | date=June 1994 | via=Doctor Who Cuttings Archive | accessdate=12 May 2025 }}</ref>
- Wikipedia (this page): <ref>{{cite web | title=Ch-ch-changes | url=http://cuttingsarchive.org/index.php/Ch-ch-changes | work=Doctor Who Cuttings Archive | accessdate=12 May 2025}}</ref>
