Happy Anniversary - The Return of Doctor Who - The Enemy of the World and The Web of Fear

 by Ken Parker

Happy Anniversary to the announcement of the finding of the Doctor Who episodes “The Enemy of the World” and “The Web of Fear.”  One year ago this week we all learned that the long lost Second Doctor stories from the 60’s were found and available for download.  This was an incredible time for Doctor Who fans.  As many of you were aware, rumors of some found Doctor Who episodes were circulating around for about a year or two before that time but not until June of 2013 were these rumors to take on a new energetic life.  Unlike previous rumors of an episode or two found, this rumor had close to 90 found.  Apart from some denials from the Restoration Team, BBC, TIEA and Doctor Who magazine, the rumor held its ground with details that spelled out a “Marco Polo”, “The Enemy of the World” and “The Web of Fear” release later in the year.  This rumor was modified slightly with “Marco Polo” and one episode of “Web of Fear” being removed from the release for an unknown reason.

Doctor Who - The Omnirumour - I Want to Believe

Cool video

 

Philip Morris and the Last Omnirumor - We Hope

by Ken Parker

Philip Morris, Missing Episode Hunter examines more film cans while his nemesis, Ian Levine, waits patiently

The Omnirumor saga is getting weirder, uglier, more frustrating and exciting all at once.  A statement by the TIEA Executive Director seems promising - 

T.I.E.A understands the passion felt by Doctor Who fans and that looking for missing episodes of Doctor who plus many other shows is an important but tiny part of the work that T.I.E.A does.The main aim of this organisation is to assist those archives whose own cultural heritage is under threat.If any programmes do still exist T.I.E.A will endeavor to recover them safely as with web of fear and enemy of the world.T.I.E.A are not sponsored by any organisation we are a completely independent body we work alongside many organisations such as the B.F.I .

However as much as people want specific programmes found wishing them into existence or starting rumors will not magically return them .Individuals trying to extract information which does not exist or is commercially confidential will be deleted unread any legitimate inquires for T.I.E.A LTD services are welcome.

Stay Tuned..
Executive Director Philip Morris.

What Are the Chances That All 97 of the Missing Doctor Who Episodes Will Be Found?

You hear rumors and all of the sudden your heart races.  Could it be that they found an episode of Doctor Who?  Could the number of missing episodes go down to 105 total?  Then you find out that they did find not one but 11.  WOW!! That was such a great feeling back in October of last year.  But that is not all.  Rumors continue and the same sources that claimed "Enemy of the World" and "Web of Fear" were back are saying more are back.

How many more?  7?  "Marco Polo"?  40? 96? 97?  97.....ummm, that is all that is missing right now.  You are telling me that every single Doctor Who episode now exists?  Ridiculous?  Right?  Well, no, not really.

Doctor Who - The Missing Episodes

What Is Still Missing and Will They Ever Be Found?

By Ken Parker

With this recent find of previously missing episodes of Doctor Who and the raised hope for more, let us look at what is still missing as of November 2, 2013 and see what these stories could mean to Doctor Who fans if found.

Doctor Who - The Web of Fear Review

by Ken Parker

I love doing these reviews of stories I never thought I would ever see. Hopefully there are more to come.

"The Web of Fear" is one of the most important and talked about stories of the famed missing Doctor Who. Not only does it feature the return of Professor Travers, the Yeti and the Great Intelligence but it includes the debut of Lethbridge Stewart (Nicholas Courtney). This story would act as the primary blueprint for the U.N.I.T involvement in Doctor Who over the next bunch of years.

Doctor Who - The Enemy of the World Review

by Ken Parker

I still can't believe that I finally saw this Doctor Who episode. In the early 70's the BBC destroyed most of their video archive and while film copies were returned hundreds were not and believed gone for good. Over the years Doctor Who's missing count dropped with finds of an episode here and a couple there. Earlier this year the count was table at 106 but is now 97 thanks to the efforts of Phillip Morris and his team of archivists searching the globe for missing episodes.

The Enemy of the World and The Web of Fear DVD cover Artwork

This stuff is beautiful

Deborah Watling and Fraser Hines to Launch Found Episodes on Thursday

Between 3:30 - 7pm in the UK Deborah Watling (Victoria) and Fraser Hines (Jamie) will be on hand to help with the press conference and the launch of the newly found episodes of Doctor Who.  It has been reported that a number of episodes were found and that two Patrick Troughton stories will be made available online on Thursday.

http://www.deborahwatling.net/News/index.htm

Doctor Who Fandom Waits.....

After months, perhaps years of rumors, hoaxes and misinformation, fans of Doctor Who hold their collective breath for what could be the biggest event in the show's history.  Sure, there are many fans who follow the current series and perhaps not so much the classic series but for all long term fans, we wait.  Wait for the announcement that we all hope is coming. One that could usher in a new chapter in Doctor Who history as potentially 20+ stories, not seen since they first aired, are returned to the fans.

For many, these stories will be the first time seen. But with telesnap reconstructions, the original audio recordings, novelizations and so on, fans have a better idea what to expect from these rarely seen stories. For some this will be the first time they see these stories as an adult, perhaps only remembering them as faint memories of their childhood.

Whatever the situation, it is certainly the start of a golden era for fans.  Sure, in 2005 Doctor Who came back in a new form and that has taken on a whole new life, but to finally see much more of the beginnings of the series has to be an interest to fans.

We may be jumping the gun here, but information points to the 90+ rumor being true.  This would mean that in a couple of years of releases fans of all ages can experience the first historical adventure beyond the prehistoric age.  We will see The Exploding Planet and the Horse of Destruction.  We will watch as the Celestial Toymaker first captures the Doctor and see Jamie McCrimmon join the TARDIS.  Imagine seeing the Macra and the Yeti defeated and Lethbridge Stewart's first adventure with the Doctor.  To see the very first regeneration and to witness the Power and Evil of the Daleks - what it will be like.... amazing.

We now wait. Online forums are silenced and believers in MEW and skeptics alike await word from the BBC.  Will we know it all or only a tiny bit?  The story behind the find is probably just as exciting as sitting down and watching The Enemy of the World for the first time (well, maybe not..)

Whatever the outcome, let us be grateful of what we have as Doctor Who fans.  If we are watching Web of Fear one day and Day of the Doctor the next, the 50th anniversary will be a truly magical time.

The announcement is slated for Thursday, possibly 9am London of two stories to be released online.  

BBC Postpones Missing Doctor Who Reveal Until the End of the Week

The Mirror and Radio Times have both reported that the BBC has delayed the big reveal of the formally missing Doctor Who episode press conference until the end of the week.

But a BBC spokesman admitted today they were “not quite ready” and the press conference has now been rescheduled for the end of the week.

A BBC insider added: “With all the excitement in the last few days about the lost episodes we are really keen to get the information out, but there are a few delays.

"We want everything to be ready and for this announcement to excite fans so they will have to wait a few days longer.

“They have been waiting nearly 50 years for this, so a couple of days shouldn't make any difference.”



ARRRGH!!

Anyhow, online fans are furious and some are even thinking that the whole thing is a hoax.  Why the BBC has not pulled the story if it was indeed a hoax is beyond anyone's guess. There is still some reports from in the know people that seem to still deny everything - give it up already!!


http://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/doctor-who-lost-episodes-update-2347529

The Rumor part 3 - Missing Episodes Gains Momentum - Could Be True!!!

WOW - this is too much for me.  Apparently there are now statements leading to the fact that there were indeed 90 episodes located.  Bleedingcool.com, who broke all this last week is now stating that Ian Levine is now saying that he was lied to -

Ian Levine @IanLevine

@keefybabe I've just been given proof that backs up the entire story,from 2011. So yes I now really believe he has found 90 missing episodes

7:56 PM - 18 Jun 2013

WOW - in addition, there is a shipment of old film - 3 tons of old film that has been confirmed sent to England.

This is a complete turn around from the negativity we got earlier in the day and so now it looks like it may be true after all.  

To recap - 90 episodes previously missing might have been found in Africa.  Word has it that it would include all Hartnell and Troughton except for 16 episodes. The missing episodes still include Invasion 1 & 4,  9 episodes from "The Dalek Master Plan", Mission to the Unknown and 2 from "The  Ice Warriors" and 2 from "Wheel In space." WOW!!!

So this is still a rumor but the source (Ian Levine) that stated earlier that it was not true is now saying it is true - I would expect official word any day now!!

Stay Tuned