 Different versions of this story have used an alternative spelling of the title: "Galaxy Four", and this is the title that was used for the Target book release for this story.
Former producer Mervyn Pinfield was originally planned to direct the story, and he was indeed involved in casting and initial film work until he fell ill and so was replaced by Derek Martinus.
The Chumblies - as they were named by Vicki - were designed by Richard Hunt. Four were made, each about a metre tall - just large enough for one of the small actors to fit inside. Like the Daleks a light, fitted to the top of the dome, was illuminated to indicate which robot was communicating with its Rill masters.
The Rill voices were originally to be provided by Anthony Paul. The change in casting was to late for the listing in the Radio Times, for the third episode, to be chaged.
The story's central twist, that the beautiful Drahvins are actually the villains of the piece, was partially ruined by the fact that newspapers gave away the twist before the story was broadcast.
The Drahvins are named (but not seen) as being among the many alien races gathered above Earth in the 2010 Eleventh Doctor story "The Pandorica Opens/The Big Bang".
This story was originally filmed as part of the second season bloc. Along with "Mission to the Unknown", these stories were held over to Season Three.
Unfortunately only the third episode currently exist in the BBC Archives. All four episodes were reported missing from the BBC Film and Videotape Library following an audit in 1978. However, some footage (about 6 minutes) was discovered from the first episode ("Four Hundred Dawns"). Then the third episode, "Air Lock", was returned in December 2011, by a private collector.
The third episode, "Air Lock", along with reconstructions of episodes 1, 2 and 4, were released on DVD, in March 2013, as an extra on the Special Edition release of the "The Aztecs" DVD.
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The Firsts:
The first story of Season Three (even though it was recorded as part of Season Two but held back).
The first Doctor Who story to be written by William Emms.
The first Doctor Who story to be directed by Derek Martinus.
Richard Hunt's first involvement in the show as Designer.
The first Doctor Who story to be recorded at Ealing Television Film Studios.
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(Position = 130 out of 159)
(Position = 172 out of 200)
(Position = 210 out of 241)
