William Hartnell - One Hundred Years
Special Events
January 8, 2008 •
Posted By Shaun Lyon
William Hartnell, the actor who originated the role of the Doctor in the 1960s, playing the first incarnation of the character for BBC Television from 1963 to 1966, was born exactly 100 years ago today. For many of the original Doctor Who fans who were children in the 1960s, he remains the definitive Doctor.
William Hartnell，1963年至1966年，扮演第一任博士，今日是他诞辰100周年。对于当年还是孩子老一代Doctor Who粉丝，他仍是博士。
Emerging from a difficult family background about which he was later evasive, Hartnell held down a succession of short-term odd jobs before turning to acting in the 1920s. He enjoyed success as a touring repertory actor, and in the 1930s began appearing in films, particularly the "quota quickies" companies were obliged to release to fulfil their obligations to promote British film. Here Hartnell developed his talents as a light comedy actor, but it was not until the Second World War that his reputation began to flourish. After being invalided out of the army, he appeared as the sergeant in the well-received propaganda piece
The Way Ahead, and this helped him to develop a reputation for such tough-guy roles that won him many major supporting parts. Of all the actors to have played the Doctor he had the most successful film career, with major roles in landmark films such as
Brighton Rock, as the eponymous sergeant in
Carry On Sergeant and, cast against type in a sensitive character part, in the film version of
This Sporting Life.
It was this role that led producer Verity Lambert to offer him the part of the Doctor. Although Hartnell was initially uncertain about it, Lambert and director Waris Hussein persuaded him to accept the part, and it became the role for which he is best remembered, making him a household name in 1960s Britain. Hartnell became incredibly attached to the role and particularly enjoyed the attention and affection it brought him from children, groups of whom would follow him around his local village. He would often happily open fetes and other functions in costume and character as the Doctor. Although ill health forced him to reluctantly relinquish the part in 1966, he remained fond of the series and in 1972, with his health rapidly deteriorating even further, battled his failing memory to film one final performance as the character in the tenth anniversary special
The Three Doctors, which aired between December 30, 1972 and January 20, 1973. It was his final professional performance; he died on April 23 1975, aged 67.
In celebration of his centenary, the
Plymouth Who fan group are holding an event to mark his life and work this coming Sunday, January 13th, at the The Astor Hotel in Plymouth. The event runs from 1pm to 5pm, and features a screening of one of the most popular stories of Hartnell’s era,
The War Machines, which introduced
Anneke Wills in the role of companion Polly. Wills will be a special guest at the event and will take part in a question-and-answer session with fans. There will also be Hartnell-themed quizzes as part of the day’s festivities. For more information about the event, please see the Plymouth Who website.
With thanks to Paul Hayes.
其他等回头空了再翻
