“The Face of Evil” (1976) was the fourth story in the 14th season of Dr Who. Tom Baker was well and truly established in the role of the heroic Time Lord, but the Doctor’s popular assistant, Sarah Jane Smith played by Elizabeth Sladen had departed at the end of “The Hand of Fear”. This story was inspired by HG Wells’ The Time Machine (filmed in 1960) with its future society split in two: one group descended into primitive superstition the other surviving as a technological elite. Adding a crashed spaceship, a computer with multiple personalities and a mysterious carving of the Doctor, this would have been a routine adventure but for one thing; the first appearance of a new assistant played by Louise Jameson. An instant hit with the audience, Leela was a different kind of Dr Who companion. Confident, not adverse to violent self-defence, scantily-clad and unselfconsciously sexy, Leela was part-way between Tarzan’s Jane and The Avengers‘ Emma Peel. Writer Chris Boucher acknowledged The Avengers influence, also noting that he named the character after Palestinian hijacker Leila Khaled! Leela stayed with the Doctor until the end of “The Invasion of Time” (1978). –Gary S. Dalkin
It will not disappoint. THE FACE OF EVIL is balanced, informative and entertaining. Even after nearly decade’s worth of DOCTOR WHO – CLASSIC SERIES DVD releases once a while one is released that could you comfortably re-watch several times without becoming bored or restless, and Chris Boucher’s penned, DOCTOR WHO – THE FACE OF EVIL is one of them. It’s like sitting your Aunt’s knee as she reads you a bedtime story – reassuringly secure.Admittedly, it is frequently overshadowed by those stories around it – THE DEADLY ASSASSIN, THE ROBOTS OF DEATH, THE TALONS OF WENG-CHIANG- but, by no means, it’s a production to be ashamed of or irritated by. Solid, interesting, elegant at times, understated performances that a founded in truth and reality (even though it’s science fiction drama) and, of course, eyeofhorus.org.uk’s favourite, Louise Jameson introduced as Leela.With a cleaned and restored print (probably better than you originally viewed on your rental television back in 1977…), THE FACE OF EVIL’s release is supplemented with an informative (with sleight repetitive recollections from the actors and crews alike is the only downside across the documentaries & commentary), entertaining and polished array of EXTRAS.INTO THE WILD confidently documents the `making of…’ process with insightful contributions from the Series Producer, Philip Hinchcliffe:Philip Hinchcliffe: I came up with the idea of a computer going mad. Being `God’.Whilst the recently deceased (2010) director of THE FACE OF EVIL, Pennant Roberts (interviewed in 2005) and Louise Jameson discuss the genesis of the character of Leela, and how Jameson distilled the personality of her dog, Boisie, and her neighbour’s three-year old daughter into the creation of the alien `savage’.Talking of the story’s director, Jameson: …very long and affectionate friendship with Pennant and his wife over the years.Visual Effects Designer, Mat Irvine, made his `solo’ debut with this production and discusses the challenges of working to tight schedules and limited, shoestring budgets.In a rare appearance, one-time DOCTOR WHO set designer, Austin Ruddy, confirms that he a “free hand to do what we wanted to do”. As fans would confirm, his designs were stunningly creative especially the planet’s stylist `jungle’ and the perennial problem of `how to do another DOCTOR WHO corridor’. Indeed, the Series Producer states that he was “…a top designer. I’d put it up high in some of my DOCTOR WHOs”.Unsurprisingly, INTO THE WILD’s contribution from Jameson is central to this documentary feature, and addresses the (Janis) thorny issue of her working relationship with the lead actor.On Tom Baker, Louise Jameson: He was a totally brilliant Doctor…strained at times…and we’re extremely good friends now.Overall, IN THE WILD is a more a tribute to Pennant Roberts and less of a “Making of…”, and quite rightly so.FROM THE CUTTING ROOM FLOOR is as gripping as Hitchcock thriller, and all it is are `out-takes’ and `unused’ material from the production. With a couple of expletives `bleeped-out’, it’s beguiling that the filming was so good natured, calm and professional in the face of adversity (re: BBC Union Electricians poised like vipers to terminate the studio lighting at 22:00 prompt). The deleted scenes, all from the Ealing Studio filmed sequences, are presented slotted into the broadcast material and demonstrate how single-camera filming, compared with multi-camera shooting on videotape, is far more polished.The weakest of the documentaries is DOCTOR WHO STORIES: LOUISE JAMESON as, sadly, the recollections from the seminal actress are duplication from both INTO THE WILD and the STUDIO COMMENTARY. Nonetheless, Jameson is singularly known for her affection (and gratitude) for being cast in DOCTOR WHO, and her memories are, like a complicated Sherry Trifle, layered and wholly satisfying with numerous Glace cherries topping it off. You’ll just have to watch this feature to find out why she asks the BBC DVD interview, “Am I allowed to say crap?”. Delightful.Even in 1977, I couldn’t afford the (expensive due to high tax rates) DOCTOR WHO action figures so seeing the DENYS FISHER TOYS ADVERT for the first time is like owning your very own time machine. The £4.99 of 1977 (circa) TARDIS would be worth about £35.00 in today’s money, and with weekly pocket money of 50 pence it was far out of my reach (and I preferred buying the pocket-money friendly TARGET novels).In the 1970s, a staple of the weekends was `The Multi-Coloured Swap Shop’ magazine programme, presented by the engaging Noel Edmonds, and to have a DOCTOR WHO guest it was essential viewing. Louise Jameson effortlessly effervesces as she charms the unflappable Edmonds as she discusses how she secured the role of Leela and the filming of the series.Wendy Padbury presents press coverage of Tom Baker’s time as the…
The Doctor faces past actions in a cracking Baker adventure The Face of Evil is unusual in many respects. It finally gives us a story that examines the consequences of the Doctor’s sometimes irresponsible actions. It gives us Leela, the savage who would just as soon knife someone as trip over and scream. And who can forget those strange cliffhangers? (Part 3 especially)