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32) THE UNDERWATER MEANCE

14 January - 4 February 1967

Average Viewing Figure: 7.5M

Plot

Landing in Atlantis Professor Zaroff plans to raise the city of Atlantis to the surface but in truth, he wants to destroy the world

Cast

Patrick Troughton (The Doctor), Anneke Wills (Polly), Michael Craze (Ben), Frazer Hines (Jamie McCrimmon)

Joseph Furst (Professor Zaroff), Catherine Howe (Ara), Tom Watson (Ramo), Peter Stephens (Lolem), Colin Jeavons (Damon)

Gerald Taylor (Damon's Assistant), Graham Ashley (Overseer), Tony Handy (Zaroff's Guard), Paul Anil (Jacko), P G Stephens (Sean)

Noel Johnson (Thous), Roma Woodnutt (Nola)

​

Uncredited Cast

Denis Redwood, David Waterman, Leonard Kingston, Peter Stockbridge, Laurence Archer, Reg Cranfield, Bob Raymond, Fred Davis

Darell Richards, Stanley Jacomb, Gordon Lang, Hein Viljoen, Royston Farrell, John Adams, Alex Donald, Tony Douglas (Atlantean Priests)

Denis Redwood, David Waterman, Leonard Kingston (Medical Orderlies)

Cathy Ash, Judy Nicholls, Alex Donald, Nigel Clayton (Full-Fish People)

Perin Lewis, Derek Calder, Mary McMillan, Tony Starr (Half-Fish People), Denis Redwood, David Waterman, Dean Hardy

Keith Ashley, Gordon Lang, Hein Viljoen (Miners), Bill Burridge (Executioner Priest)

Crew

Geoffrey Orme (Writer), Ron Grainer (TItle Music), Dudley Simpson (Incidental Music), Derek Ware (Fight Arranger), Gerry Davis (Story Editor)

Alan Jonas (Film Cameraman), Eddie Wallstab (Film Editor), Sandra Reid (Costumes), Gillian James (Make-Up), Gordon Summers (Lighting)

Bryan Forgham (Sound), Jack Robinson (Designer), Innes Lloyd (Producer), Julia Smith (Director)

Broadcast

Filming Locations

  • Winspit Quarry, Worth Matravers, Dorest

  • Ealing Film Studios: Stage 3

  • Riverside Studio 1

Deaths

  • Professor Zaroff [drowns in his laboratory]

  • Ramo [murdered by Professor Zaroff with a spear]

Production Days

  • 9 days between Monday 12 December 1966 - Saturday 28 January 1967

Production Errors

  1. Julia Smith's voice can be heard very briefly at the start of episode three

  2. During episode two, The Doctor tries to convince Ramo about Professor Zaroff. During a scene, an extra can be seen behind The Doctor, the extra is playing a Guard who is supposed to look for The Doctorj

  3. The Kirby wires supporting the extras playing the Fish People during the underwater scenes are visible

  4. When Zaroff fires his pistol at the cliffhanger of episode three, there is a slight problem with the visual effects, there is no smoke, recoil or discharged carriage. The gun also changes from a Walther to a Beretta between episode three and four

  5. When Polly hits Zaroff over the head with a rock, he goes 'Ooh!'​​​

Working Titles

  • Doctor Who and the Fish People

  • Doctor Who Under the Sea

  • Atlanta 

Verdict

Review coming soon

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