When the phenomenally successful science fiction series Doctor Who was about to begin in the fall of 1963, the producers, as ever, needed to find the right actor to fill the lead role. For this series, the lead role was to be especially important, as the whole series was to revolve around him, and even be named after him.

These producers had spotted an actor named William Hartnell, playing a Rugby League talent scout in the tough, uncompromising 1963 film “This Sporting Life”. Hartnell had, in his earlier years, been typecast in “tough guy” roles as a policeman, a thug, or, during the war years, a soldier.

When the producers first approached William Hartnell, he was apprehensive, yet he became very glad he had taken the role. In his years as Doctor Who, he was earning the sum of £315 per episode, which translates into today's currency as over £4,000. In was not just the money that gave him great satisfaction, however. He especially enjoyed the cult status he had gained amongst children.

They, as well as many other Doctor Who fans, were disappointed when Hartnell decided to leave the series while it was enjoying great success, in 1966. He was in poor health, suffering from arteriosclerosis, and was not enjoying working with the new production team.

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William Hartnell will always hold a special place in the hearts of loyal fans of Doctor Who. It was he who blazed the trail, and set the standard for the others to follow. Many of the adventures in those early years were focused on a historical theme, Some of the early destinations for the Doctor included Ancient Greece, Ancient Rome, Palestine, the Aztec Empire, China at the time of Marco Polo, and France at the time of the French Revolution. The very first episode of Doctor Who featured a trip back in time to the Stone Age.

We are very fortunate in that so much of this early footage still survives. In the 1970s, so much of what has now become classic television was wiped and lost forever, much to the dismay of future generations. Some of these old films have shown up in very unusual places, and an appeal was recently launched to try and find more.

Even some old Doctor Who episodes have been recovered in this way. Now, thanks to modern technology, people can relive these early episodes in many different formats. Videotape and DVD have made them available on demand to avid collectors, and some of the early episodes are even available as downloadable Doctor Who Audiobooks, for you to listen to at your own convenience.

All of this can only help to preserve this legendary footage, and bring in new generations to enjoy this evergreen science fiction.

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