I wouldn’t give tuppence for Wikipedia’s opinion of William , he was a man of his day and didn’t take kindly to upstarts like Anneke Wills slagging him off , I don’t believe William was anymore racist than most people of his age back then a proud man that fought for his country and is Dr Who full stop
Ironically, Hartnell's origins were as enigmatic as the Doctor's - he never knew his father, who abandoned his unmarried mother before his birth. Being raised by a single mother in a society where illegitimacy carried social stigma made him an outcast like the Doctor. Like the Doctor, he became during a difficult youth the protégé of an older mentor, Hugh Blaker who steered him in the right direction toward self-improvement.
One of my favorite quotes describing Bill on set comes from Jean Marsh who played Sara Kingdom in the Daleks Master Plan. She said that looking back, Bill wasn’t always in the best of health on set and needed a lot of rest. But besides that, he was never an issue when it came to learning lines or rehearsing. The biggest problem of his was laughing, and a lot of it.
I feel like I’ve commented this over a thousand times on TH-cam, but Hartnell is my favorite Doctor. He often gets characterized as either “the first one” or “the grumpy one” but all reality, saying that is doing no justice to the role. Sure he was stubborn and an ass at some points, but when he developed a relationship with his companions, there was this sort of twinkle of childishness that was often covered up; plus while much of Hartnells humor isn’t vocal, watch his body language and facial reactions, that’s where his hilarity shines the brightest.
I watched the first airings of his performance as an 8 year old. He became my surrogate father and my grandfather, both of whom I could not remember. He was sometimes scary, sometimes lovable, clever but flawed and always watchable. I listened to every word he uttered and totally believed in him. Some actors came close to his skills and presentation of the Doctor but never matched him. I still remember when he referred to Chesterton as Chesterfield!
My little family has just finished our first start to finish watch through of the First Doctor era. William Hartnell is brilliant, and a far better actor than anyone seems to give him credit for nowadays. He broke my heart with his performance more than once and he had a knack for the comedy that is rarely mentioned. The way he cared about the role shines through and I feel bad for him knowing he hit his defining role only to have to leave due to his health. I'm sure if he could he'd keep travelling through time and space forever. Rest in Peace, Mr Hartnell.
I think that it's testament to his confidence in the show that even very early on in its run he predicted that it would go on for at least five years. And when you consider that in those days it was basically on for forty-odd weeks of the year that's some statement to make. It's only fitting that the one part he was basically seeking all his working life arrived in what proved to be the twilight of his acting career. Many actors find fame in a role fairly early on in their professional life only to slowly fade into relative obscurity over the course of time. William Hartnell did find relative fame for a while during the mid to late 40's through his (at that time) prolific film career. But there was no one stand-out role that really defined him. Thankfully, for him, and for millions of people throughout the country, he got his wish just as his health was on the cusp of declining. From the fairly under-the-radar TV and film appearances of the early 60's he was catapulted into virtual stardom with his defining role. I personally don't watch NuWho, it's just not for me for various reasons. But WH is a hero to me as he is to countless others. His legacy ( just like Patrick Troughtons) will NEVER die as long as television exists.
Some fans were not over impressed by Hartnells final reduced role in The Three Doctors.I disagree and share Katy Mannings opinion that Hartnell had one last opportunity to play his beloved role and meet his successors. I can remember a friend at School telling me ( a year later) in 1974 that theyd seen the news that Hartnell had died.Thanks Mr Hartnell RIP
In lesser hands, we wouldn't have just watched this video, because no one would be talking about Doctor Who, 60 years later. My first time seeing Hartnell was the clip at the front of The Five Doctors, but in the 90s as his stories came out on VHS, I got to properly enjoy his era - at least, what remains of it.
The open to 5 Docs was my first glimpse of Hartnell, and I have to admit I was so young, I don't remember if Hurndall's recreation fooled me or not. :}
Honestly I wouldn’t say a bad thing against him, regardless of his life choices I believe he has done more than enough to earn his right to exist beyond his life and death.
Thank you, this video was made with thoughtful purpose, that being the love of the Dr Who tv series. Mr Hartnell gave a inspirational theme that allows for other to follow with their own 'verity'.
i loved in the daleks when he accidently said gloves instead of drugs then corrected himself, the actors of ian barbara and susan work around it saying how badly the radiation is affecting him
I wouldn’t give tuppence for Wikipedia’s opinion of William , he was a man of his day and didn’t take kindly to upstarts like Anneke Wills slagging him off , I don’t believe William was anymore racist than most people of his age back then a proud man that fought for his country and is Dr Who full stop
Ironically, Hartnell's origins were as enigmatic as the Doctor's - he never knew his father, who abandoned his unmarried mother before his birth. Being raised by a single mother in a society where illegitimacy carried social stigma made him an outcast like the Doctor. Like the Doctor, he became during a difficult youth the protégé of an older mentor, Hugh Blaker who steered him in the right direction toward self-improvement.
One of my favorite quotes describing Bill on set comes from Jean Marsh who played Sara Kingdom in the Daleks Master Plan. She said that looking back, Bill wasn’t always in the best of health on set and needed a lot of rest. But besides that, he was never an issue when it came to learning lines or rehearsing. The biggest problem of his was laughing, and a lot of it.
I feel like I’ve commented this over a thousand times on TH-cam, but Hartnell is my favorite Doctor. He often gets characterized as either “the first one” or “the grumpy one” but all reality, saying that is doing no justice to the role. Sure he was stubborn and an ass at some points, but when he developed a relationship with his companions, there was this sort of twinkle of childishness that was often covered up; plus while much of Hartnells humor isn’t vocal, watch his body language and facial reactions, that’s where his hilarity shines the brightest.
I watched the first airings of his performance as an 8 year old. He became my surrogate father and my grandfather, both of whom I could not remember. He was sometimes scary, sometimes lovable, clever but flawed and always watchable. I listened to every word he uttered and totally believed in him. Some actors came close to his skills and presentation of the Doctor but never matched him. I still remember when he referred to Chesterton as Chesterfield!
My little family has just finished our first start to finish watch through of the First Doctor era. William Hartnell is brilliant, and a far better actor than anyone seems to give him credit for nowadays. He broke my heart with his performance more than once and he had a knack for the comedy that is rarely mentioned. The way he cared about the role shines through and I feel bad for him knowing he hit his defining role only to have to leave due to his health. I'm sure if he could he'd keep travelling through time and space forever. Rest in Peace, Mr Hartnell.
You’ve perfectly summed him up I think. A real enigma on a personal level but an excellent actor and a cultural touchstone. Very well done
I think that it's testament to his confidence in the show that even very early on in its run he predicted that it would go on for at least five years. And when you consider that in those days it was basically on for forty-odd weeks of the year that's some statement to make. It's only fitting that the one part he was basically seeking all his working life arrived in what proved to be the twilight of his acting career. Many actors find fame in a role fairly early on in their professional life only to slowly fade into relative obscurity over the course of time. William Hartnell did find relative fame for a while during the mid to late 40's through his (at that time) prolific film career. But there was no one stand-out role that really defined him. Thankfully, for him, and for millions of people throughout the country, he got his wish just as his health was on the cusp of declining. From the fairly under-the-radar TV and film appearances of the early 60's he was catapulted into virtual stardom with his defining role. I personally don't watch NuWho, it's just not for me for various reasons. But WH is a hero to me as he is to countless others. His legacy ( just like Patrick Troughtons) will NEVER die as long as television exists.
4:49
Some fans were not over impressed by Hartnells final reduced role in The Three Doctors.I disagree and share Katy Mannings opinion that Hartnell had one last opportunity to play his beloved role and meet his successors. I can remember a friend at School telling me ( a year later) in 1974 that theyd seen the news that Hartnell had died.Thanks Mr Hartnell RIP
In lesser hands, we wouldn't have just watched this video, because no one would be talking about Doctor Who, 60 years later. My first time seeing Hartnell was the clip at the front of The Five Doctors, but in the 90s as his stories came out on VHS, I got to properly enjoy his era - at least, what remains of it.
The open to 5 Docs was my first glimpse of Hartnell, and I have to admit I was so young, I don't remember if Hurndall's recreation fooled me or not. :}
Honestly I wouldn’t say a bad thing against him, regardless of his life choices I believe he has done more than enough to earn his right to exist beyond his life and death.
Hartnell a man of all seasons
Thank you, this video was made with thoughtful purpose, that being the love of the Dr Who tv series. Mr Hartnell gave a inspirational theme that allows for other to follow with their own 'verity'.
Michael Craze called him a grumpy old bastard! So glad I met him before he suddenly passed away in the late 1990's
Brighton Rock a damn fine film and he played Dallow
i loved in the daleks when he accidently said gloves instead of drugs then corrected himself, the actors of ian barbara and susan work around it saying how badly the radiation is affecting him
Hi Chimp
Hartnell created the role. My 1st Doctor.