The Celestial Toymaker (TV story)
The Celestial Toymaker was the seventh story of Season 3 of Doctor Who, and the first to be produced by Innes Lloyd. It was at one point considered writing out William Hartnell as The Doctor in this story, but the idea was vetoed.
Synopsis
The travellers arrive in a strange domain presided over by the Celestial Toymaker - an enigmatic, immortal entity who forces them to play a series of games, failure at which will render them his playthings. The Doctor has to solve the complex Trilogic game while Steven and Dodo are faced with defeating a succession of apparently child-like but potentially lethal animated toys in contests such as 'blind man's buff', musical chairs and 'hunt the key'.
The Doctor finally overcomes the Toymaker by imitating his voice in order to complete the Trilogic game from within the TARDIS, which then dematerialises as his foe's universe is destroyed.
Plot
to be added
Cast
- Dr. Who - William Hartnell
- Steven Taylor - Peter Purves
- Dodo Chaplet - Jackie Lane
- Toymaker - Michael Gough
- Joey the Clown / King of Hearts / Sgt. Rugg - Campbell Singer
- Clara the Clown / Queen of Hearts / Mrs. Wiggs - Carmen Silvera
- Cyril / Kitchen Boy / Knave of Hearts - Peter Stephens
- Joker - Reg Lever
- Dancers - Beryl Braham, Ann Harrison, Delia Lindon
Crew
- Assistant Floor Manager - Elisabeth Dunbar
- Choreographer - Tutte Lemkow
- Costumes - Daphne Dare
- Designer - John Wood
- Incidental Music - Dudley Simpson
- Make-Up - Sonia Markham
- Producer - Innes Lloyd
- Production Assistant - Snowy White
- Script Editor - Gerry Davis
- Special Sounds - Brian Hodgson
- Studio Lighting - Frank Cresswell
- Studio Sound - Alan Fogg
- Theme Arrangement - Delia Derbyshire
- Title Music - Ron Grainer
References
Story Notes
- This story had working titles; The Trilogic Game and The Toymaker.
- The Celestial Toymaker was to return in The Nightmare Fair (the unmade TV story).
Ratings
- The Celestial Toyroom - 8.0 million viewers
- The Hall Of Dolls - 8.0 million viewers
- The Dancing Floor - 9.4 million viewers
- The Final Test - 7.8 million viewers
Myths
to be added
Filming Locations
Discontinuity, Plot Holes, Errors
- In the hopscotch game, the order of the players taking turns changes during the game. (Players are occasionaly are forced to miss turns)
- When the Doctor imitates the Toymakers voice, the last piece moves over slowly, whereas when the Toymaker commanded the pieces they moved instantly. (Perhaps because the Toymakers voice is more commanding)
- Why does the Doctor not want to save the others trapped in the Toymakers domain? (Perhaps they are beyond saving)
- When the Doctor is on move 905, he moves a piece so it counts as move 906. However, when the Celestial Toymaker asks the pieces to move 930, the pieces only jump 21 times so it should be move 927.
- After the Doctor goes into the TARDIS, how come when the Toymaker steps on the electric board he is walking on, he isn't electrocuted? a)he's immortal, B)He made this world he could turn it off, c)the game is over so no need for electricity. He knows this world but they don't and so won't risk it.
Continuity
- The Celestial Toymaker reappears in PDA: Divided Loyalties and DWM: Endgame.
DVD, Video and Other Releases
- The surviving episode (Part 4:The Final Test) was released on VHS as part of Hartnell Years (with the "next episode" caption removed)
- The Final Test was also released on the Lost in Time box set (with the "next episode" caption reconstructed).
Novelisation
- Main article: The Celestial Toymaker (novelisation)
- Novelised as The Celestial Toymaker by Gerry Davis and Allison Bingeman in 1986.
See also
to be added
External Links
- Official BBC Episode Guide for The Celestial Toymaker (includes a video clip)
- Outpost Gallifrey Episode Guide: The Celestial Toymaker
- Doctor Who Reference Guide: Detailed Synopsis - The Celestial Toymaker
- A Brief History of Time (Travel) Guide to The Celestial Toymaker
- The Celestial Toymaker transcript
