Part of the recently recovered story The Web Of Fear was set in the London Underground for scenes where UNIT battled robotic Yetis controlled by the Great Intelligence. Doctor Who is known for its shoestring budget and ropey sets but the production team really outdid themselves this time. After the episode was broadcast, the Doctor Who production office received a letter of complaint from the London transport authorities that accused them of illegally filming these scenes on the Underground without permission. All because David Mysercough-Jones sets were simply that convincing.
10. Jon Pertwee's History Influences His Doctor
The Jon Pertwee era of Doctor Who is noticeably different from the rest of the programme; being almost entirely set on Earth, and starring an action hero Doctor with a love of gadgets and a flying car. The Earthbound setting was mandated by the BBC but the gadget loving Third Doctor was influenced by Jon Pertwee. This is because, as an interview published many years after his death revealed, Jon Pertwee worked as a senior intelligence agent during the Second World War; reporting directly to Winston Churchill and teaching British operatives how to use different gadgets such as guns concealed in pipes. Although Pertwee had a love of gadgets before his wartime career, his military work definitely had an influence on his Doctors personality.
JG Moore is a writer and filmmaker from the south of England. He also works as an editor and VFX artist, and has a BA in Media Production from the University Of Winchester.
