William Henry Hartnell - showcase Thread - Moddb Doctor Who Fans

En.wikipedia.org

Dead 4.23.75 - r.i.p.

Mr. Hartnell is most iconic in that he portrayed the Doctor for the very first time. And he lived to see the show reach its mid to late 70's hey-day.

His Doctor was an eccentric, affable, and somewhat crotchety older gentlemen.
He wasnt so young when he took the role - 55.

He accepted Doctor Who to get away from his typecast: "The Way Ahead (1944) - From then on his career was defined by playing mainly policemen, soldiers, and thugs."

Being the first to take the role, I think he had perhaps the biggest job. With no predecessors, he had to define the role and make it a success.
I personally find the Hartnell episodes difficult to watch. For me they lack the energy of Pertwee and Tom Baker, my first two Doctors.
The quirkiness of 3 and 4 defined the role for me, and Hartnell, while brilliant as the Doctor has more of a "dotage" kind of quirk - not much to my liking.
The pacing of the early episodes is different as well. Sold as a childrens show, there was a focus on historical references and a slower approach to puzzle solving.

Still, if you have the opportunity to watch the 1st Doctor, I highly recommend it. Check out the Dalek episodes - those are noteworthy.

One thing I find interesting about the progression of Doctors from 1st to 11th - the actors taking to role seem to a tendency to get "younger".
Reminds me of this story: En.wikipedia.org - "Bearing an Hourglass"

"Indeed, my boy."

Edited by: numbersix