Galaxy-jumping Dr. Who lands in Hollywood

Photo mix-up, Regina Leader-Post, Mar. 12, 1984

http://cuttingsarchive.org/images/9/93/1984-03-13_Daily_Intelligencer.jpg

Publication: The Daily Intelligencer
Date: 1984-03-09
Author: Jerry Buck
Page: 27
Language: English

LOS ANGELES (AP) Tom Baker has a cult following as Dr. Who from London to Zambia to Boston, but when he calls on producers in Hollywood it's more like "Tom Who?"

Baker is the best known of the six actors-- he was No. 4 — to star in Britain's Dr. Who, a science fiction television series now in its 21st year.

Dr. Who is one or the Time Lords of the Planet Gallifrey. He's 750 years old, has two hearts, and travels through time and space in a machine (TARDIS —- Time and Relative Dimensions in Space) that has gotten mixed up with a London police call box.

Dr. Who with his 20-foot scarf, takes on such creatures as the Cybermen, the Daleks, the Kraals, the Krynoids and Mandragora, a mysterious force enslaving mankind, and a mall scientist named Davros. He always bests them with whatever happens to be handy. Fortunately, the necessary item is always handy.

Dr. Who, with a dash of English quaintness and eccentricity, has an avid following of 100 million viewers in 54 countries, including the United States.

"I'm here looking for work." said Baker, who quit the role in 1981 after filming 178 episodes. "I've been meeting with casting directors and I can't tell you how underwhelmed they are with me. It's difficult for me when I have to pitch my woo while rambling on about the success of my program who've never heard of it.

"I can't say look at the crowds I draw in other (places). I'm sure I can draw that on television. I've never worked in this country although this is my sixth time here in nine months."

Actually, Baker has had other roles on American television but those shows were made abroad. In an upcoming CBS movie about Robin Hood he stars with George Segal and Morgan Fairchild. He plays the evil tax collector. He plays Sherlock Holmes on The Hound of the Baskervilles for the ARTS & Entertainment Channel. His first big role was as Rasputin in the movie Nicholas and Alexander.

Baker took over the role of Dr. Who in 1974. "I think they were playing a hunch when they hired me," said. "Before signing I avoided them for days so I wouldn't have to tell them what I was going to do with the role. Then I signed and said I had no idea. I never did have any ideas. Someone suggested that's why I was so spontaneous.

"I really loved Dr. Who. I got so wrapped up in it. I thought it was time to get out while I was still winning. There's an enormous amount of repetition in a series, as there is in life. And I got so possessive about it I began to get critical about the scripts. I felt I was the one in touch with the audience. So I resigned and there was no reluctance on their part."

Baker became so well known in Europe that he said he was "the only person who could pick up a child and buy him ice cream and not be hauled off as a deviant I used to be able to walk into houses, studios, private offices, parties at the prime minister's Do you think I can walk into a casting director's office at MGM?"

Maybe not, but Baker's self-promotional efforts in Hollywood finally were rewarded After this interview, Baker was signed to play a corrupt European detective tracking stolen jewelry on NBC's "Remington Steele."

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Title: Best Liked 'Dr. Who' little known in U.S.
Publication: Madison Capital Times
Date: 1984-03-13

Title: The galaxy-jumping 'Dr. Who' looks for work in Hollywood
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Date: 1984-03-18

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Publication: Daily World
Date: 1984-03-16

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Publication: Asbury Park Press
Date: 1984-03-12

Title: Galactic fame doesn't help actor
Publication: Regina Leader-Post
Date: 1984-03-12

Title: Galaxy-Jumping Dr. Who Searches for Work
Publication: Albuquerque Journal
Date: 1984-03-16

Title: British actor: from 'Dr. Who' to 'Tom Who?'
Publication: Albany Democrat-Herald
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Title: Cult star is asked: Dr. Who?
Publication: The Morning News
Date: 1984-03-12

Title: Galaxy jumping 'Dr. Who' looks for job in Hollywood
Publication: The Newark Advocate
Date: 1984-03-15

Title: Tom Who ...?
Publication: The Journal-News
Date: 1984-03-13

Title: Dr. Who seeks work
Publication: Globe-Gazette
Date: 1984-03-13

Title: Dr. Who seeks name in Hollywood
Publication: Herald & Review
Date: 1984-04-01

Title: This 'Dr. Who' is a cult figure
Publication: The Indianapolis Star
Date: 1984-04-29

Title: Tom Baker: Who is he?
Publication: The Tampa Tribune
Date: 1984-04-08

Title: Dr. Who looks for work in Hollywood
Publication: Poughkeepsie Journal
Date: 1984-03-18

Title: In the U.S he's Tom Who?
Publication: The Daily American
Date: 1984-03-22

Title: Ex-Who has a cult following
Publication: The Daily Times
Date: 1984-03-25

Title: Dr. Who has hard time finding work in U.S.
Publication: Battle Creek Enquirer
Date: 1984-03-13

Title: Dr. Who back in 20th century
Publication: Edmonton Journal
Date: 1984-03-25

Title: Best-Known 'Dr Who' seeking work in U.S.
Publication: The Palm Beach Post
Date: 1984-03-14

Title: The galaxy jumping Dr. Who looks for work in Hollywood
Publication: The News Leader
Date: 1985-03-09

Title: Baker 'underwhelms' Hollywood
Publication: Iowa City Press-Citizen
Date: 1984-03-16

Title: TV's Dr. Who seeking work in Hollywood
Publication: Longview News-Journal
Date: 1984-03-22

Title: Galaxy-jumping Dr. Who hunting work in Hollywood
Publication: Mansfield News-Journal
Date: 1984-03-21

Title: Galactic fame doesn't help actor
Publication: The Journal Times
Date: 1984-03-12

Title: Dr. Who touches down in Hollwood
Publication: The Missoulian
Date: 1984-03-21

Title: Dr. Who looks for work in Hollywood
Publication: South Bend Tribune
Date: 1984-03-18

Title: Dr. Who seeks work
Publication: Globe-Gazette
Date: 1984-03-13

Title: Galaxy-jumping Doctor looking for work
Publication: The Spokesman-Review
Date: 1984-03-12

Title: The galaxy-jumping 'Dr. Who' looks for work in Hollywood
Publication: Burlington Daily Times
Date: 1984-03-25

Title: 'Who' discovers work hard to find
Publication: Colorado Springs Gazette
Date: 1984-03-12

Title: Dr. Who turns into Mr. Who?
Publication: Bradon Sun
Date: 1984-03-13

Title: Galaxy-hopping Dr. Who looking for work in Hollywood
Publication: York Daily Record
Date: 1984-03-12

Title: Dr. Who looks for work in Hollywood
Publication: The News Tribune
Date: 1984-03-13

Title: 'Dr. Who' star has a following
Publication: The Wichita Eagle
Date: 1984-04-22

Title: Tom Baker has tough time with Hollywood
Publication: The Peninsula Times Tribune
Date: 1984-03-12

Title: The Most Famous 'Dr. Who' Wants Job in Hollywood
Publication: The Post-Standard
Date: 1984-03-12

Title: Britain's Dr. Who is looking for work around Hollywood
Publication: The Roanoke Times
Date: 1984-03-31

Title: 'Who's Dr. Who?' U.S. producers ask
Publication: The Bangor Daily News
Date: 1984-04-14

Title: Dr. Who hits Hollywood
Publication: The Lewiston Daily Sun
Date: 1984-03-12

Title: Galactic Dr. Who Looks for Work in Hollywood
Publication: Intelligencer Journal
Date: 1984-03-09

Galaxy-jumping Dr. Who lands in Hollywood

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