MORE favourite dead not-American actors: an Advent Calendar
Day 14: Patrick Troughton
I’m not even going to pretend that this is anything other than complete adoration for one particular character - of course it’s always great to see Pat in other things; he’s one of those great actors who treat it like a job, take pride in the work, and do their very best no matter what. So every role is a little gem (and every lost telly show is another cause for sorrow, I’m looking at you Robin Hood).
But this for me is all about Doctor Who. When I was a nipper, in the almost unbelieveable days of three channels, no VCR, and no repeats, I got my DW fix (when I wasn’t watching Tom on Saturday evenings) reading my brother’s Target books. And - despite never having seen any Pat eps - my fave doctor shifted from Tom to Pat. (I still love Tom, it’s ok Tom). I dropped The Web of Fear in the bath once because I couldn’t stop reading it, and my brother went mental. So you can perhaps glean some idea of how fucking excited I was when the tapes were found.
Pat’s doctor is a delight; he is all the great things the doctor should be - intelligent, curious, loyal, brave, funny, a bit nuts, very lovely. There’s a fierce intelligence in Pat that shines through, and though his doctor is known for being a joker, there’s a gravity about him that lends drama and sincerity to the role. This is the Time Lord I’d want at my side if I were traversing the galaxies.
Favourite Role: well that’s obvious, so I’ll rec a fave story - The Web of Fear because it’s yetis in the tube, and the Brigadier, and it’s directed by Douglas Camfield who is the best. Alternatively, The Invasion which is cybermen and London and the Brig again Kevin Stoney being a superb adversary. Both serials have missing eps, but the restorations are good and the stories are ace.
Another good place to start: Pat’s role in The Omen (1976) is small, but important, and he’s bloody ace in it, and it’s always a much better film than I remember. Great cast (Greg still swoony and David Warner in a great parka) and wonderful cinematography. Also Jason and the Argonauts (1963) where again Pat has a small role, but it’s such a wonderful film, perfect holiday fare, and you get Ray Harryhausen at his best and Niall McGinnis as Zeus. Win.
theartofmadeline
stormborns
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