UK, 11 April 1964-16 May 1964
average 25m each
videotape, black and white, 4:3
mono, English
Previous Serial: The Moonbase (1967)
Next Serial: The Faceless Ones (1967)
Series: Doctor Who (1963-1989) – series 4, episodes 27-30
A British television science fiction serial directed by John Davies. No episodes are known to have survived. The Macra returned briefly as a threat in the 2007 episode Gridlock.
Plot Summary
The crew of the TARDIS arrive on a human colony that appears to be run along the lines of a gigantic holiday camp. At first, all seems to be happy and perfect, but The Doctor learns that the colony has been infiltrated by the Macra, a race of giant crab-like creatures, who have brainwashed the colonists and are forcing them mine a deadly gas.
Credits
* = uncredited
Crew
Director: John Davies
BBC
Producer: Innes Lloyd
Script: Ian Stuart Black
Story Editor: Gerry Davis
Studio Lighting: Frank Cresswell
Film Camera: Peter Hamilton
Film Editor: Eddie Wallstab
Title Music by: Ron Grainer and the BBC Radiophonic Workshop
Title Music Arranged by: Delia Derbyshire *
Incidental Music: Dudley Simpson
Jingles Arranged by: Wilfred Johns *
Studio Sound: Hugh Barker, Gordon Mackie
Special Sound: Brian Hodgson
Costumes: Daphne Dare, Vanessa Clark
Make-up: Gillian James, Jean Richmond
Designer: Kenneth Sharp
Production Assistant: Chris D'Oyley John
Assistant Floor Manager: Ann Faggetter
Cast
Episode 1
Patrick Troughton (Dr Who)
Anneke Wills (Polly)
Michael Craze (Ben)
Frazer Hines (Jamie McCrimmon)
Peter Jeffrey (pilot)
Graham Armitage (Barney)
Ian Fairbairn (Questa)
Jane Enshawe (Sunaa)
Sandra Bryant (Chicki)
Maureen Lane (drum majorette)
Terence Lodge (Medok)
Gertan Klauber (Ola)
Graham Leaman (Controller)
Anthony Gardner (Alvis)
Denis Goacher (control voice)
Richard Beale (broadcast voice)
Robert Jewell (Macra operator)
Episode 2
Patrick Troughton (Dr Who)
Anneke Wills (Polly)
Michael Craze (Ben)
Frazer Hines (Jamie McCrimmon)
Peter Jeffrey (pilot)
Terence Lodge (Medok)
Gertan Klauber (Ola)
Graham Leaman (Controller)
Denis Goacher (control voice)
Richard Beale (broadcast and propoganda voice)
Robert Jewell (Macra operator)
Episode 3
Patrick Troughton (Dr Who)
Anneke Wills (Polly)
Michael Craze (Ben)
Frazer Hines (Jamie McCrimmon)
Peter Jeffrey (pilot)
Jane Enshawe (Sunaa)
Terence Lodge (Medok)
Gertan Klauber (Ola)
Graham Leaman (Controller)
Denis Goacher (control voice)
Richard Beale (broadcast voice)
Robert Jewell (Macra operator)
John Harvey (official)
Episode 4
Patrick Troughton (Dr Who)
Anneke Wills (Polly)
Michael Craze (Ben)
Frazer Hines (Jamie McCrimmon)
Peter Jeffrey (pilot)
Jane Enshawe (Sunaa)
Karol Keyes (Chicki)
Maureen Lane (drum majorette)
Gertan Klauber (Ola)
Graham Leaman (Controller)
Denis Goacher (control voice)
Robert Jewell (Macra operator)
John Harvey (official)
John Caeser, Steve Emerson, Danny Rae (guards)
Ralph Carrigan, Roger Jerome, Terry Wright (cheerleaders)
Uncredited
John Caeser, Steve Emerson [guards – episodes 1-3]
Danny Rae [guard – episodes 1-2]
Linda Reynolds [pilot's secretary]
Paul Phillips [scientist]
Nina Huby [girl]
Fiona Frazer, Avril Gaynor, Maris Hendrick, Janice Hoy, Jill Paris, Amanda Scott [band]
Joe Finlay, Maureen Hillman, Sheelah McGrath, Ted Merwood, Judy Nichols, Anthony Rayner [dancers – uncredited]Bill Beesley, Deryn Fisher, George Gibbs, Edwina King, Leonard Kingston, Maureen Morris, Leslie Pitt [citizens]
Walter Henry, Maureen Hillman, Leonard Kingston, Sheelah McGrath, Judy Nichols, Anthony Rayner, Tony Starr, Alan Troy [mine workers]
Alternative Titles
The Insect-men
The Spidermen
The Spidermen!
References
Books
Doctor Who: The Handbook: The Second Doctor by David J. Howe, Mark Stammers, Stephen James Walker pp.69-75 – credits, synopsis, review
Doctor Who: The Television Companion by David J. Howe and Stephen James Walker pp.119-121 – credits, synopsis, review
Other sources
BFI Southbank Guide March 2019 p.8 – illustrated listing
