June 21st, 2023
6 comments
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Pull To Open 1962–1963 Written by Paul Hayes
Available to order from www.tenacrefilms.com
Pull To Open: 1962–1963: The Inside Story of the the BBC Created and Launched Doctor Who. Written by Paul Hayes. Released July 24 2023
‘Fresh and compelling… As definitive an account of those early years as I have read’ Toby Hadoke
When Doctor Who began on Saturday November 23 1963, few could have guessed that it marked the start of perhaps the most extraordinary story in the history of BBC television drama. But there had already been another story, equally extraordinary yet unseen, leading up to the transmission of that opening episode – the creation of the series itself.
Pull to Open explores the behind-the-scenes saga of Doctor Who in 1963, when a chain of events at the BBC brought together a disparate group to launch what would become one of British TV’s best-loved and most successful programmes. It’s the story of why these events happened; the BBC creative culture into which Doctor Who was born; how television drama was made in the early 1960s; and an insight into the people who started this epic journey.
Drawing from the BBC’s written archives and new interviews with some of those who were there, including Doctor Who’s first director Waris Hussein and original co-star Carole Ann Ford, Pull to Open is a detailed and comprehensive account of the programme’s path to the screen. Immerse yourself in the world of BBC Television in 1963 and discover how a series which was almost cancelled before a single episode was shown survived to cement its place in the popular culture of a nation.
Foreword by Toby Hadoke
Paul Hayes was born and raised in West Sussex, and now lives in Norwich. A writer and broadcaster, he has contributed feature articles to the likes of Doctor Who Magazine, BBC Online, The Stage and the Eastern Daily Press. For the BBC he has produced and presented a variety of radio documentaries, on subjects including The Beatles, motor racing, broadcasting history, politics, film, football and – of course! – Doctor Who, a programme which he has loved for as long as he can remember.
Paperback: 424 pages in black and white
Categorised under: Books, Reference books
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David
July 4th, 2023 - 2:22pmJust when I thought I’d never buy another book on Dr Who again….
BW
June 21st, 2023 - 1:14pmFrom Simon Guerrier on Twitter: “This is properly brilliant, bringing the people involved vividly to life. I’ve spent years researching this stuff and Paul made it feel like I was standing in the room.”
Anomie
June 21st, 2023 - 11:35amHasn’t this been comprehensively covered by the likes of David j. Howe? Can’t see there being anything new here apart from the interviews. Fine if you haven’t got the handbooks done in the 90’s but not for me this one.
Chris Howarth
June 21st, 2023 - 12:00pmIt’s been covered before, sure. But there is new information in here.
Dave
June 21st, 2023 - 12:06pmYes,I agree, this is very well-covered ground. Will wait for reviews to see if there’s anything new brought to the table, but the First Doctor Handbook and The Sixties are very authoritative on this subject.
Rex Farrel
June 21st, 2023 - 1:13pmI don’t know what this will be like, but I do remember the Howe/Stammers/Walker books were quickly outdated on the origins of the series as more and more new information came to light. (Wasn’t it DWM that did a series of articles?)