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William Hartnell
The Celestial Toymaker
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Synopsis


The Doctor with The Toymaker
The Doctor with The Toymaker
 In the domain of the Toymaker nothing is quite as it seems - as becomes apparent when the TARDIS materialises inside. The Doctor seems well-acquainted with the mysterious mandarin’s penchant for deadly distractions, but now with companions Steven and Dodo in tow the stakes are even higher. Failure to triumph in a series of games will result in them being trapped for eternity in a strange realm where innocuous-seeming nursery characters reveal lethal intent.

 Steven and Dodo’s desperation to regain the TARDIS increases with every round of blind mans buff and musical chairs they play. In each game they are faced by dangerous opponents and deadly allies - the clowns Joey and Clara, the King and Queen of Hearts, a mischievous schoolboy and a legion of silent walking dolls…

 The Doctor, rendered invisible and challenged to complete the fiendishly difficult Trilogic Game, can only watch his friends’ plight from afar. Who will be the first to make a false move in this battle of wits, and will the TARDIS ever escape the Toymaker’s snare?

Source: BBC Audio


General Information

Season: Three
Production Code: Y
Story Number: 24
Episode Numbers:111 - 114
Number of Episodes: 4
Number of Incomplete/Missing Episodes:3
Percentage of Episodes Held:25%
Working Titles:"The Toymaker" and "The Trilogic Game"
Production Dates: March - April 1966
Broadcast Started: 02 April 1966
Broadcast Finished: 23 April 1966
Colour Status: B&W
Studio: Ealing Television Film Studios and Riverside (Studio 1)
Location: None
Writers:Brian Hayles, Donald Tosh (Uncredited) and Gerry Davis (Uncredited)
Director:Bill Sellars
Producer:Innes Lloyd
Story Editor:Gerry Davis
Production Assistant:Snowy White
Assistant Floor Manager:Elisabeth Dunbar
Designer:John Wood
Costume Designer:Daphne Dare
Make-Up Designer:Sonia Markham
Lighting:Frank Cresswell
Incidental Music:Dudley Simpson
Special Sounds (SFX Editor):Brian Hodgson
Studio Sounds:Alan Fogg
Title Sequence:Bernard Lodge
Title Music:Ron Grainer and the BBC Radiophonic Workshop. Arranged by Delia Derbyshire
Choreography By: Tutte Lemkow
Number of Doctors: 1
The Doctor: William Hartnell (The First Doctor)
Number of Companions: 2The Companions: Peter Purves (Steven Taylor) and Jackie Lane (Dodo) Guest Cast: Michael Gough (Toymaker), Carmen Silvera (Clara / Queen of Hearts / Mrs Wiggs) Additional Cast: Campbell Singer (Joey / King of Hearts / Sgt Rugg), Peter Stephens (Cyril / Kitchen Boy / Knave of Hearts), Reg Lever (Joker), Beryl Braham (Dancers)Setting: The Celestial Toyroom Villain: The Toymaker

The Episodes

No. Episodes Broadcast
(UK)
Duration Viewers
(Millions)
In Archive
111The Celestial Toyroom02 April 196624'40"8.0Missing
112The Hall of Dolls09 April 196624'45"8.0Missing
113The Dancing Floor16 April 196624'10"9.4Missing
114The Final Test23 April 196623'57"7.816mm telerecording

Total Duration 1 Hour 38 Minutes


Audience Appreciation

Average Viewers (Millions) 8.3
Doctor Who Magazine Poll (1998)70.61%  (Position = 64 out of 159)
Doctor Who Magazine Poll (2009)61.48% Lower (Position = 151 out of 200)
Doctor Who Magazine Poll (2014)59.75% Lower (Position = 198 out of 241)
Doctor Who Magazine Poll (2023) Position = 23 out of 29


Archives


 Episodes 1-3 are lost. Episode 4 exist as 16mm telerecording.



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Notes


The story was extensively rewritten by former story editor Donald Tosh and then, due to a budget shortfall, by Gerry Davis. However, Donald Tosh was unhappy with the rewrites and refused to be credited, while Gerry Davis could not take a credit because he was the show's Story Editor. As a result of this, Brian Hayles was the sole credited author on the final story, despite the fact that the final scripts bore little to no resemblance to what he originally wrote.

This was the first story produced by Innes Lloyd.

William Hartnell was on holiday during episodes two and three. Pre-recordings of his voice were heard in episode two and Albert Ward was a hand double for scenes where the mostly invisible Doctor played the Trilogic Game throughout the story.

William Hartnell almost left Doctor Who at this point, though not by choice - he was nearly forced out by the production team, until this was vetoed by the BBC; The Doctor would have become visible again (after sitting out an episode invisible) in the guise of another actor. Ultimately, however, this did not come to pass.

Carmen Silvera would return to Doctor Who to play Ruth in the 1974 Third Doctor story, "Invasion of the Dinosaurs". Carmen Silvera is more famous for her role as Edith Artois in the BBC comedy series Allo, Allo.

Michael Gough, who plays The Toymaker, was once married to actress Anneke Wills (who played later companion Polly Wright). He would return to the programme to play Time Lord Councillor Hedin in the Fifth Doctor story, "Arc of Infinity". He was also due to reprise his role as The Toymaker in a story called "The Nightmare Fair", which was to begin Season Twenty Three before the show was put on a hiatus by then BBC Controller Michael Grade. When the hiatus was over, all of the original stories for Season Twenty Three were dropped in favour of the 1986 The Trial of a Time Lord season-long series of stories. Michael Gough is now best known to international audiences as butler Alfred Pennyworth in the successful Batman film franchise.

The Toymaker also reappeared in the BBC Books The Past Doctors Stories novel "Divided Loyalties" by Gary Russell (which reveals that The Toymaker is of the Guardian alien race), and in Doctor Who Magazine's first Eighth Doctor comic strip "End Game".

"The Nightmare Fair" was later released in May 1989 as a novel under the same title. It is due to be released as an audio story by Big Finish Productions, featuring the original television cast.

Peter Stephens' portrayal of Cyril is very much in the style of the popular Billy Bunter character created by Frank Richards. This reportedly brought a complaint from Richards' representatives – prompting the BBC to transmit a voice-over announcement following the story's last episode disclaiming any intentional similarity between characters in the story and existing fictional characters.

Joey's use of a horn to communicate is reminiscent of Harpo Marx.

A picture of Clara the clown appears on Sarah Jane Smith's laptop in The Sarah Jane Adventures episode "The Day of the Clown".

Flashbacks to earlier Doctor Who episodes were employed for the first time. In this instance, scenes of Steven Taylor from "The Daleks' Master Plan" and "The Massacre of St. Bartholomew's Eve" appeared on the monitor in the toy robot's chest.

Gerry Davis' novelisation of the story was co-authored by his wife, television screenwriter Alison Bingeman.

Unfortunately only the final episode currently exists in the BBC Archives. All four episodes were reported missing from the BBC Film and Videotape Library following an audit in 1978. However, the fourth episode, "The Final Test", was returned, in February 1984, from ABC in Australia (although the print originally came from RTS in Singapore in or around 1974).



First and Last

The Firsts:

 The first (and only) appearance in the show for The Toymaker played by Michael Gough.

 The first Doctor Who story to be partially written by Brian Hayles.

 The first Doctor Who story to be directed by Bill Sellars.

 Innes Lloyd's first involvement in the show as Producer.


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The Plot

WARNING: May Contain SpoilersHide Text
The Toymaker
The Toymaker

When an alien intelligence invades the TARDIS, rendering The Doctor invisible, his travelling companions, Steven Taylor and Dodo, do not know what to do. But when they leave the TARDIS the travellers find they have arrived in a strange domain - the surreal Celestial Toyroom - presided over by the nefarious Celestial Toymaker who, it is revealed, is an old foe of The Doctor's.

The Celestial Toymaker is an enigmatic, immortal entity of infinite power who has already lived for millions of years. Having been cast out from an alternative universe, he obeys a different set of physical laws. The years of isolation though have driven him mad, and he seeks distraction and so he forces The Doctor and his companions to play a series of games, failure at which will render them his playthings.

With the TARDIS removed, to prevent their escape, The Doctor has to solve the complex Trilogic game in a battle of wits against the Celestial Toymaker. While Steven Taylor and Dodo are faced with defeating a succession of apparently child-like but potentially lethal animated toys in contests such as 'blind man's buff', musical chairs and 'hunt the key'. If any of them fail, they will be destined to remain in the Toyroom forever, transformed into dolls under The Celestial Toymaker's control.

The Trilogic Game
The Trilogic Game

At one point The Doctor tries to communicate with his friends but is soon rendered invisible to prevent him from offering any advice or support to his companions. So as to up the stakes The Celestial Toymaker warns The Doctor that both parties must finish their tasks at the same time to win the game.

Together Steven and Dodo are forced to face different challenges. The first of which is a rather dangerous game of Blind Man's Buff with what appears to be two clowns, Joey and Clara, who seem to be cheating. The next challenge has Steven and Dodo interacting with living playing cards, the King and Queen of Hearts, along with a Knave and a Joker. Steven deduces from a rhyme that six of the seven chairs, that are in the room, are deadly to sit on.

Steven Faces the Clowns
Steven Faces the Clowns

The next hurdle for Steven and Dodo is to outwit the comical Sgt. Rugg and Mrs. Wiggs, in a game of hunt the thimble – or rather the key to the exit door – beyond which the TARDIS is presumed to be. But when they finally succeed the Police Box turns out to be a fake.

With The Doctor making good progress with the Trilogic Game, the Celestial Toymaker chooses Cyril the schoolboy to take on his companions in the final challenge. Dodo and Steven now find themselves in a vast game of hopscotch against the schoolboy, who delights in tricks and traps to prevent them from winning. The TARDIS is the alluring prize at the end of the game.

However, despite being tricked on a number of occasions, by the schoolboy, it is Cyril who literally falls foul of his own traps when he slips on a square he has booby-trapped and is electrocuted on the electrified spaces beyond the proper squares. Dodo and Steven thus are able at last to reach the TARDIS.

The King and Queen of Hearts
The King and Queen of Hearts

In the Celestial Toymaker’s study at the same time, The Doctor is at the final stage of the Trilogic Game. Holding the final piece he has been returned to visibility and is reunited with his companions.

With Steven and Dodo safely in the TARDIS, the Celestial Toymaker challenges The Doctor to complete the TrilogicGame. However, The Doctor realises that when he makes the final move and the game is won, the Celestial Toymaker’s domain will disappear – along with everyone and everything in it – including himself, his companions and even the TARDIS.

The Doctor finally overcomes the Celestial Toymaker by imitating his voice in order to complete the Trilogic game from within the TARDIS, which he then dematerialises as the Celestial Toymaker’s world is destroyed.

 
Steven
Steven
Cyril
Cyril
The Doctor with The Toymaker
The Doctor with The Toymaker
Dodo Playing one of the Games
Dodo Playing one of the Games
 
Steven and Dodo
Steven and Dodo
Steven, Dodo and The Doctor Reunited
Steven, Dodo and The Doctor Reunited
The Doctor and Steven
The Doctor and Steven
The Doctor and Dodo
The Doctor and Dodo




Quote of the Story


 'I'm bored. I love to play games but there's no-one to play against. The beings who call here have no minds, and so they become my toys. But you will become my perpetual opponent. We shall play endless games together, your brain against mine.'

The Toymaker



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Release Information

FormatTitleRelease Date (UK)Code NumberCover ArtRemarks
Video
VHS
The Hartnell YearsJune 1991BBCV 4608Photo-montageEpisode 4 only Introduced by Sylvester McCoy
Audio
CD
The Celestial ToymakerMay 2001Photo-montageNarrated by Peter Purves (Steven Taylor) Double CD Release
Video
DVD
Doctor Who: Lost in TimeNovember 2004BBCDVD 1353Photo-montageEpisodes 4 only
Audio
CD
The Celestial ToymakerFebruary 2011Part of the "Doctor Who: The Lost TV Episodes: Collection Two 1965-1966" Box Set Narrated by Peter Purves (Steven Taylor) Also includes "Archive on 4: Doctor Who - The Lost Episodes" documentary
Audio
LP
The Celestial ToymakerSeptember 2022Photo-montageLimited Edition LP - Narrated by William Russell (Ian Chesterton)


In Print

FormatTitleRelease Date (UK)PublisherAuthorCover ArtRemarks
Novel
Novel
The Celestial ToymakerNovember 1986Target No. 111Gerry Davis and Alison BingemanGraham PottsISBN: 0-426-20251-1
Novel
Novel
The Celestial ToymakerDecember 1992Target No. 111Gerry Davis and Alison BingemanAlister PearsonVirgin new cover reprint.
ISBN: 0-426-20251-1
Doctor Who CMS Magazine (An Adventure in Space and Time)Issue 24
Doctor Who WeeklyIssue 40 (Released: July 1980)
Doctor Who Monthly - ArchiveIssue 83 (Released: December 1983)
Doctor Who Magazine - ArchiveIssue 196 (Released: February 1993)
Doctor Who Magazine - Time TeamIssue 294 (Released: August 2000)
Doctor Who Magazine - Time TeamIssue 295 (Released: September 2000)
Doctor Who Magazine - The Fact of FictionIssue 408 (Released: May 2009)

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Photo Gallery


The Doctor and Companions

 
William Hartnell
The First Doctor

   

Peter Purves
Steven Taylor
 
Jackie Lane
Dodo
   




On Release

The Hartnell Years VHS Video Cover
The Hartnell Years VHS Video Cover

BBC
VIDEO
Soundtrack CD Cover
Soundtrack CD Cover

BBC
AUDIO
Lost In Time DVD Cover
Lost In Time DVD Cover

BBC
VIDEO
The Lost TV Episodes: Collection Two CD Cover
The Lost TV Episodes: Collection Two CD Cover

BBC
AUDIO
   
Original Television Soundtrack LP Cover
Original Television Soundtrack LP Cover

Demon Records
AUDIO



In Print

Original Target Book Cover
Original Target Book Cover

Target
NOVEL
 
Reprinted Virgin Book Cover
Reprinted Virgin Book Cover

Virgin
NOVEL
   


Magazines

Doctor Who CMS Magazine (An Adventure in Space and Time): Issue 24
Doctor Who CMS Magazine (An Adventure in Space and Time): Issue 24

CMS
Doctor Who Weekly: Issue 40
Doctor Who Weekly: Issue 40

Marvel Comics
Doctor Who Monthly - Archive: Issue 83
Doctor Who Monthly - Archive: Issue 83

Marvel Comics
Doctor Who Magazine - Archive: Issue 196
Doctor Who Magazine - Archive: Issue 196

Marvel Comics
   
Doctor Who Magazine - Time Team: Issue 294
Doctor Who Magazine - Time Team: Issue 294

Marvel Comics
Doctor Who Magazine - Time Team: Issue 295
Doctor Who Magazine - Time Team: Issue 295

Marvel Comics
Doctor Who Magazine - The Fact of Fiction: Issue 408
Doctor Who Magazine - The Fact of Fiction: Issue 408

Marvel Comics


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