ORIGINAL DALEK FROM DR WHO AND THE DALEKS

I took these photos of a black Dalek on display at the London Museum of Film a while back.

It is described as a Dalek specially created for the AARU film, Dr Who and The Daleks.

In the film, the Black Dalek, in line with the TV series at the time, is leader, and originally had a sucker arm rather than a pincer. It had two  gold neck straps, rather than one with slats. The upper rings have a silver one in the middle. In fact most of this Dalek looks nothing like it did in the film.

It's fairly obvious that this prop has gone through a few changes over the years. All the eight main Dalek props had a few adventures after the film was completed, what with touring the country advertising the film, and various other publicity events.  I think it's reasonably well known that three of the original props appeared in The Chase TV episode, and had their large fenders removed and their speech lights replaced with smaller ones  

This is the Product Enterprise version of the Black Movie Dalek. Fairly accurate apart from the pincer arm.

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Some of the movie Dalek props were given away as prizes, although not necessarily, in their original colours.
It fact, I'd imagine that in time most of the props would have suffered various stages of deterioration.

So I think its reasonable to assume that although this Dalek has seen a few changes over the years, I'm sure there must be a part of it that appeared in the film.

DINKY FAB 1 VARIATIONS

Reader Jim P has emailed me with this message about the Dinky FAB1:

Here's a couple of sites about Dinky FAB 1 variations

http://www.thunderbirds.free.fr/english/Intro.html

http://www.alniva.be/corgi/modellen/specials/thunderbirds/fab1_wheels.htm

They don't agree, but I think the first one is correct!

Jim P


What do you think readers?

COLLECTOR PRIMA

I often wonder who the very first space toy collector might have been? Was it before the War and maybe someone collecting stuff related to that first flush of Science Fiction? Or was it in the Fifties with the dawn of Dan Dare and Space Cadet? 

Who was the very first to squirrel away boxed toys and games, to buy purely for posterity, to consider trying to get everything in a range? Was it a kid or an adult? We'll never know but it's good to wonder!

STONEHENGE IN REALITY AND FANTASY

I recently had a few days away in the lovely county of Wiltshire, and took time to visit to the ancient site of Stonehenge.

Although, these standing stones are what remain of a Neolithic monument, dating back some 5000 years, some people just see it as a pile of old rocks which are a lot smaller when you see them in real life.

Well, while there’s some truth in that simple observation, I think it’s fair to say that anyone with even the smallest amount of imagination can’t help but be intrigued by this mysterious structure, and the myths that surround it.

With the true aspects of Stonehenge still open to much debate, and its true purpose lost in the passing of time, writers old and new have let their imaginations run riot over the years – my money’s on an ancient flying saucer landing pad!

Unsurprisingly, Superheroes have done battle at Stonehenge, although it is a fact that Druids only turned up at Stonehenge a thousand years after it ceased to be used for any religious purposes.

The BBC filmed an episode of Doctor Who (The Pandorica Opens) at Stonehenge, although they had to abide by several regulations. No one was allowed to touch the stones, nor bring heavy equipment in, and any lighting had to be mounted on the floor. 

  Shooting was over one night, and during an hour of daylight. As this proved restrictive, additional scenes were shot at Margam Country Park, Port Talbot, Wales, using a lightweight replica of Stonehenge called ‘ Foamhenge’!

For me though, Stonehenge conjures up thoughts of just one film – Night of The Demon aka Curse of The Demon.

Filmed in 1957, Dana Andrews starred as Dr John Holden, a fictional American psychologist visiting Britain to investigate a series of murders attributed to supernatural means.

Shortly after his arrival, he meets occultist Julian Karswell who, unbeknown to Holden passes him a parchment containing ancient runic symbols.

After discovering he has been cursed, Holden visits Stonehenge and compares Karswell’s parchment with the ancient pagan symbols carved into the rock.

Does Stonehenge hold the key? 

“It has been written, since the beginning of time,

Even unto these ancient stones

That evil, supernatural creatures exist in a world of darkness.

And it is also said that Man, using the magic power of the ancient runic symbols,

Can call forth these powers of darkness: the demons of Hell…

MY SEVENTIES DALEKMANIA

When Tom Baker took over from Jon Pertwee as Doctor Who in 1974, he soon made the part his own and his popularity meant a re-release by Marx  of their bump'n' go Dalek. For this seventies facelift it came in either red or yellow.

Being a big Tom Baker fan I was first in the queue to buy one, and remarkably I've still got it, and it's original box.

Palitoy got in on the act with their talking Dalek in 1975. I always though this was pretty accurate for time.

Again, this is my original bought at the time. Everything still works and, again I even managed to hang on to the box. This toy came in two colours, silver or red.

In 1976, Denys Fisher released their highly collectable Doctor Who range which included a Tom Baker doll, whose likeness was based on New Avenger Gareth Hunt for some reason.

The red top Denys Fisher Dalek was part of the range, and is probably the most sought after toy Dalek of all. At the time I managed to get the Tom Baker and the Leela doll as well as the Tardis, but the red top Dalek eluded me.

I have managed to get a less than perfect example in recent times. The sucker arm and gun stick are fake, and the box is badly water damaged, but I count myself lucky to have at least got one, without paying silly money.

Another seventies Dalek worth mentioning comes with the War of The Daleks game by Denys Fisher, which I also bought at the time. It does have some nice little Dalek play pieces, and some nice box artwork.

As Woodsy reminded me, here's the Dalek Bubblebath from 1976. Note the fact that the plunger and gunstick are the wrong way round, although right on the box.

PROJECT SWORD AL FRESCO

In the early summer Bill and I did some repairs to the Moonbase Project SWORD Fleet. On the bench [garden table] were the Imai Thunderbird 7, the T in a Circle Flying Saucer and last but not least the Nuclear Ferry.

Once spruced up the Nuclear Ferry was re-boxed in its original packaging - a jigsaw puzzle in itself!

and presto!

DALEK INVASION SAUCER REMOTE CONTROL BY PRODUCT ENTERPRISE

Continuing the Dalekmania theme I've done a few photos of the remote control hand set that comes with each  of the Product Enterprise 12" movie Daleks .

As you can see, P.E. have had it moulded in the shape of the Dalek Saucer from the Dalek - Invasion Earth: 2150 AD film . It's a pretty good rendition and in the absence of any other commercially available models of this super looking spaceship, I can imagine that with a little work these hand sets could be turned into a pretty good miniature.

I suspect this little beauty could become as collectable as the Dalek itself.

THE ORIGINAL DR EVIL

I found this ad in a late sixties Batman comic featuring Ideal's toys of Captain Action, Action Boy and their arch-nemesis Dr Evil. I wonder if Austin Powers knows about this one?