A DALEK IN LONDON

While taking a long weekend break in London seeing the sights and attractions, I found I had a couple of hours to spare one morning. I’d also bought a cheap classic Dalek toy from London’s Forbidden Planet store the day before, so I thought to myself , Dalek plus London - It’s got to be a photo opportunity!

The 1964 episodes that made up the Dalek Invasion of Earth have always been a favourite Dalek story for me and the extensive use of location footage shot in and around London just adds to the stark realism that just doesn't happen in studio bound stories. 

  

Several city locations were used. At the Albert Memorial  Daleks could be seen extending their sucker arms in what looked like a Nazi salute.  Here’s my Dalek trying it by the Thames Embankment.

Daleks also trundled across a deserted Trafalgar Square in 1964. The day I chose was anything but deserted.  A festival celebrating Valsakhi, the Sikh New Year had taken over the Square much more effectively than the Daleks ever did . My Dalek still got some funny looks though!  

The Houses of Parliament, a symbol of power and a perfect backdrop for Dalek Invasion.

My favourite images are those iconic ones showing  the Daleks crossing Westminster Bridge with Parliament in the background. This early publicity picture shows a single defiant Dalek.  

I took several photos on the bridge. Not an easy thing these days as there are a lot more people filling the pavement most of which, quite surprisingly had never seen someone take pictures of a toy Dalek!

Leaving the Dalek back at the hotel, I thought I’d catch the Tube and check out the BBC Television Centre at White City, which is around 4 miles from the City centre.

This is where the studio work for episodes making up the Daleks Invasion of Earth would have been completed.  The BBC used the building until it officially closed on March 31, 2013 and although parts of it are listed, large sections will shortly be demolished and turned into flats and offices. 

Curiously, one of the last things to be filmed at the Television Centre was ‘An Adventure in Space and Time’, a drama about the creation and early episodes of Doctor Who and the series’ saviours, The Daleks!