Doctor Who - The Missing Stories: The Web of Fear. Starring Patrick Troughton & Fraser Hines (BBC Radio Collection) CD

Victim of the BBC's insane policy of deleting classic shows while ensuring that all of Blue Peter survives for future posterity, Dr.Who's loss of so many early episodes has long left Whovians in despair. However, appeasement/cash-in appears in this three-CD audio version of the acclaimed 1968 Patrick Troughton era tale, The Web of Fear, featuring the first appearance of Colonel Lethbridge Stewart, later to become the Brigadier. A sequel to The Abominable Snowman, it features the return of the Yeti, now stalking the confined darkness of the London Underground (an excellent setting). Aided by youthful companions Jamie (Frazier Hines), Victoria (Deborah Watling) and the United Nations Intelligence Taskforce (UNIT), the Doctor (Troughton, marvellously eccentric) must prevent an invasion by the fearsome Yeti. It is both refreshing and intriguing to revisit this milestone of classic Science Fiction, replete with the show's trademark touches and nail-biting cliff-hangers ("As they retreat, a massive web of glowing fungus spills into the room!!"). Given the slim resources the show had, it's a triumph of the show's style that Dr. Who managed to convey such a striking atmosphere of impending doom and excitement. Despite the sometimes intrusive narration by Frazier Hines, this has been lovingly recreated and will appeal to fans of this much-missed show. --Danny GraydonRead More