The cruellest rumour of them all...

[lost_spook]

So I don't know why I'm even posting this, except I want to make everybody else suffer along with me, but the worst DW rumour is going around - that they have found or are hot on the trail of lots - yes, lots - of the missing episodes

Comments

[gillo]

I want the whole of the Celestial Toymaker. I remember being utterly riveted by it as a child and it sucks that they lost so much of it.

Other TV of tat period? Stranger on the Shore comes to mind.

[lost_spook]

I'd love to see that, too - it seems to have a bad rep these days (though it used to be seen as a lost classic - fandom switches round at intervals, :loL:), but I think it's surely something that by it's nature really needs to be seen rather than heard to get a true opinion of it, and that's why people tend not to rate it. I'd just want everything, or, failing that, anything! (Though I would love Power of the Daleks! It was so strong even on audio.)

What's Stranger on the Shore?

[gillo]

I have no idea about its current reputation; I just know I loved it back then.

Stranger on the Shore was a series I loved when I was ridiculously small - about five I think. The theme tune acquired a life of its own, played by Acker Bilk.

[lost_spook]

have no idea about its current reputation; I just know I loved it back then.

Which is the important thing, after all. Fandom can be so depressing sometimes! ;-)

And I knew the theme song, I hadn't realised it was from a show - that sounds really interesting. Richard Vernon is usually good and the premise sounds quite sweet - and v promising for social history in retrospect.

[swordznsorcery]

It's possible. Africa is a good place to look. Certainly it's known that Sierra Leone had a nearly complete collection of Hartnell, that was lost in 1992 during the civil war. The building that it was stored in was burned down. The BBC's "We've looked everywhere honest" assurances that we used to get back then (before the show was considered important again!) turned out to have actually meant that they had rung up a few people and asked if they had any episodes lying around. So there was all that stuff just waiting for us to go and pick it up, and we didn't know until it was far too late. There could well be other archives in other African countries. I'll ask. There's a few people I know of who might be able to give a proper answer.

[lost_spook]

Yes, mentions of Africa makes me want to believe it, because that's sort of the last hope (other than advanced aliens recording it out in space when it reaches them) but it's bound to be just another hoax, or wild exaggeration

[swordznsorcery]

For Who, my Holy Grail remains a complete "Reign Of Terror" and "The Crusade". I think they're superb, and it hurts that there are bits missing! It's probably unfair of me to be so Billycentric, given how well he's faired in comparison to poor old Trout, but I do love the First Doctor. Plus, as much as I like Jamie, Ian and Barbara are still The Best. :)

As for other TV, some more "Adam Adamant" would be wonderful. Definitely at the top of my list!

[lost_spook]

Oh, yes - I haven't yet seen The Reign of Terror, but am very much looking forward to getting my hands on the DVD when I can, and what we have of The Crusade is so excellent, I don't think we'd be disappointed with eps 2 and 4.

It's funny, I'd vaguely assumed that Adam Adamant must be a thing that was complete. (I love how many different old shows people are coming up with. I have at least heard of that one...)

[rahirah]

I hope this is true, though I have to agree that it sounds too good to be. Still, even if 'lots' turns out to be "seven random episodes from five different serials, two with the sound track missing" that's something.

[lost_spook]

Yes, I think that's exactly the way I feel about it! :-)

[liadtbunny]

'Power or Evil of the Daleks' both two of the best dalek stories, although I'd be happy with any second Dr serial. Not that I don't like the first but he's got more surviving episodes.

I think everyone knows what lost TV I want: missing Callan eps, I've read all but two of the missing eps in script form and several of them are really strong. Also the first two seasons of Ace of Wands or rather the best eps, quality seems a bit variable. After that all the variations of play for today thingies, having David Collings suffering in welsh, oh yes(!). Old Shakespeare adaptations, cos I'm nosy, the 1969 version of Julius Caesar exsists but it's in the vaults, boo, so a release would be nice. You're killing me BBC. 50's stuff would be good but most of wasn't recorded anyway. The Three Musketeers with Roger Delgado, I like the wig. And that's it off the top of my head!

[lost_spook]

Power would have to be top of my list, too.

I totally approve of your other list as well. Any lost TV containing David Collings is definitely a priority!! Also for DVD release. Network should get on that. ;-)

[liadtbunny]

Blimey, it's gone bonkers here! Except for DW all my "new" TV DVD's are Network so I think Network should strive to keep me happy;)

I'm also hoping the reason Network are holding off a complete 'Callan' set is because they're waiting for more missing eps to turn up. I worry with shows like 'Ace of Wands' if missing eps do turn up I won't get to see them because they've put out a complete-ish set already and it won't make financial sense to release a new disc.

Old TV = Stress!

[lost_spook]

Everyone wants to recover missing episodes, that's what it is! ;-)

And, aw. Well, I think if something like that turned up, it would generate some publicity in itself, so it'd be good for an updated release - it'd make total commercial sense - anyone dedicated enough to buy the first one would be paying them again, plus extra off the free "missing episodes found!" publicity.

And as time goes on, more and more TV is going to be downloadable in some way, I'm sure - so then the main consideration will be not popularity, but only if it needs serious restoration work/copyright issues. I don't know how long that transition will take, of course, but I think it is inevitable - it's already happened with ebooks and music and well on the way with a lot of films/TV.

[jjpor]

Thinking about it, Power and/or Evil of the Daleks, probably. "Evil", in particular, has represented something of a personal holy grail ever since I read a piece at a very young and impressionable age about how great it was, with pictures of the Dalek Emperor etc...but nearly all "lost" now! You know, like they were rubbing it in. ;) I'd quite like to see The Highlanders or the other episodes of The Web of Fear, too.

Regarding other lost TV, there are meant to be a lot of missing episodes of Top of the Pops etc including performances by very highly-regarded bands that are missing. Including the Beatles' last ever televised performance, iirc. I suppose the only problem with those if they were rediscovered is whether or not any of the presenters are now "helping the police with their enquiries"... :(

[lost_spook]

I'd love to see the Highlanders, and Power is probably my particular wish, ever since I heard the audio and how brilliant it was. But I would love just about every missing historical ever, really. The historicals do tend to be just so good - I want them all!!

Not, of course, that I wouldn't want Evil - the surviving episode is good, and I usually enjoy David Whitaker's stuff.