Doctor Who Meets Scratchman (unproduced theatrical film): Difference between revisions

{{Infobox Story SMW

|adapted into    = Doctor Who Meets Scratchman (short story)

|adapted into2  = Scratchman (novelisation)

|enemy          = [[Scratchman|Harry Scratch]], Cybors, [[Dalek]]s

|contributors    = [[Tom Baker]], [[Ian Marter]], {{w|James Hill (British director)|James Hill}} (screenplay)

The story was to feature the [[Fourth Doctor|Doctor]], [[Harry Sullivan|Harry]] and [[Sarah Jane Smith|Sarah]] as they faced [[Satan|the Devil]] known as "[[Scratchman]]". Other enemies which were to appear were [[Scarecrow]]s which came alive, the [[Dalek]]s and a small cameo of the [[Cyberman|Cybermen]]. The finale was to take place on a giant [[pinball]] table.

In [[2007 (releases)|2007]], an article about the production of the film was featured in [[DWM 379]]. Also included was [[Doctor Who Meets Scratchman (short story)|a retelling of the story]] by [[Marcus Hearn]], with accompanying illustrations by [[Brian Williamson]]. Williamson also created a mock poster for the film had it been released.

In October 1975, [[BBC Enterprises]] indicated interest in a contract for a ''Doctor Who'' film starring Baker. A contract was drawn, although producer [[Philip Hinchcliffe]] insisted that the film production team consistently made sure with him and the BBC that the film was acceptable, and it was agreed that it would remain completely based on the TV series. Filming was to begin in early 1977 in [[Scotland]] and [[Lanzarote]] (later the location for ''[[Planet of Fire (TV story)|Planet of Fire]]''). In fall of 1976, Hinchcliffe indicated he was generally happy with the current script, although the use of the Daleks was being debated with [[Terry Nation]] and the use of Cybors or Cybermen reconsidered. With little interest from the British film industry, an American studio was looked for to back it, with the inclusion of [[Vincent Price]] as Scratchman used as a draw.

By this point, both Harry and Sarah Jane had left the series, so replacement characters were drafted, Sarah's replacement planned to be played by [[Twiggy]]. However, finding financial backing still proved difficult. In July 1977, Baker received donations for the production from fans due to a misquote in a newspaper interview, but was told that he would have to return all the money. Throughout 1977 and 1978, a studio still could not be found despite talks with several, and the release of ''[[Star Wars (film)|Star Wars]]'' changed the market for sci-fi films. In early 1979 the film was renamed to ''Doctor Who and the Big Game'', but neither funding nor time to film could be found, and many individuals previously said to be involved were now uncertain. Later that year [[Graham Williams]] told an interested party that the project was postponed indefinitely, and by 1980 Marter said he hadn't heard anything of it and that it sadly "seemed to have died a bit of a death".<ref>[[DWM 379]]</ref>

* ''Doctor Who Meets Scratchman'' was often listed by fans of [[Big Finish]] as a story which would be interesting to produce. In a recent interview, Baker noted the interest,<ref>http://www.gaytimes.co.uk/Interact/Blogs.aspx?articleid=10236&sectionid=761</ref>{{Fact}} and at the Folkestone Film TV and Comic Con mentioned that the audio company was looking into adapting recently discovered scripts, but Baker expected copyright issues with the [[BBC]] and the estate of {{w|James Hill (British director)|James Hill}}.

[[Category:Unproduced Doctor Who sources]]