New Dr Who plays it straight
- Publication: The Daily Sketch
- Date: 1970-01-03
- Author:
- Page: 22
- Language: English
PLEASE don't laugh at "Dr. Who," unless he happens to crack a joke between monsters.
For Jon Pertwee will be most offended.
Mr. Pertwee, best known on TV and radio as a comic, becomes the third Doctor Who—following William Hartnel and Patrick Troughton—when the unsinkable, science-fiction series returns to BBC 1 this afternoon. Jon Pertwee is staking a lot on this show. He hopes it will brainwash producers and film executives Into recognising him as an actor.
"For many years I was a straight actor in the legitimate theatre," he explains.
"Then I did a radio show with Eric Barker and became ... er, illegitimate. Ever since, I've been regarded as a comedian."
Seven years ago, Mr. Pertwee decided to push his type-casting as "eccentric funnyman" into the background, and return to the theatre.
He has scored many successes in plays, starred on Broadway—and is still regarded as a comic, by many TV and film men. "They're a bit slow in the uptake," he comments.
Dashing
"I hope they get the message now. I'm playing Dr. Who absolutely straight — Pat Troughton gave him a touch of Chaplinesque comedy, but I see him as a rather dashing man of action."
The opening tale, he promises. will face Dr. Who with "the most horrifc monster yet encountered."
The story was filmed on location at a BBC research centre in a Worcestershire mansion.
Since he's also flirting with comedy in "The Navy Lark" on radio, and working in cabaret many nights of the week, rest is a thing that actor Jon Pertwee seems able to ignore. However, according to the programme. he IS supposed to be several thousand years old, with superpowers ...
Caption: Jon Pertwee ... facing the most horrific Dr. Who monsters yet.
Spelling correction: William Hartnell
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- APA 6th ed.: (1970-01-03). New Dr Who plays it straight. The Daily Sketch p. 22.
- MLA 7th ed.: "New Dr Who plays it straight." The Daily Sketch [add city] 1970-01-03, 22. Print.
- Chicago 15th ed.: "New Dr Who plays it straight." The Daily Sketch, edition, sec., 1970-01-03
- Turabian: "New Dr Who plays it straight." The Daily Sketch, 1970-01-03, section, 22 edition.
- Wikipedia (this article): <ref>{{cite news| title=New Dr Who plays it straight | url=http://cuttingsarchive.org/index.php/New_Dr_Who_plays_it_straight | work=The Daily Sketch | pages=22 | date=1970-01-03 | via=Doctor Who Cuttings Archive | accessdate=15 March 2025 }}</ref>
- Wikipedia (this page): <ref>{{cite web | title=New Dr Who plays it straight | url=http://cuttingsarchive.org/index.php/New_Dr_Who_plays_it_straight | work=Doctor Who Cuttings Archive | accessdate=15 March 2025}}</ref>
