E. The Keys Of Marinus

Season One - 1963/1964

Story Editor: David Whitaker
Writer: Terry Nation
Director: John Gorrie
Produced by: Verity Lambert
Designer: Raymond P. Cusick
Incidental Music: Norman Kay

Synopsis

The TARDIS lands on the planet of Marinus, a world where the beaches are glass and the sea is acid. The planet is controlled by the Conscience, although four of the five operating keys have been lost. Arbitan, Keeper of the Conscience, captures the TARDIS and forces the Doctor and his crew to search for the keys.

Their quest takes them to many differnt places on Marinus, including the futuristic city of Morphoton, a deserted jungle, an ice-bound wilderness, and the city of Millenius.

On their return they find Arbitan has been killed by Yartek, leader of the Voord. Yartak forces Ian to hand over the keys that have been retrieved. One of the keys that Ian hands over is a fake, and when used the Conscience of Marinus explodes, killing Yartak and the Voords and freeing the people of Marinus from control.

Regular Cast

  • Susan Foreman: Carole Ann Ford
  • Barbara Wright: Jacqueline Hill
  • Ian Chesterton: William Russell

Guest Cast

  • Arbitan: George Couloris
  • Sabetha: Katherine Schofield
  • Yartek: Stephen Dartnell
  • Altos: Robin Phillips
  • Arrius: Edmund Warwick
  • Vasor: Francis de Wolff
  • Tarron: Henley Thomas
  • Voords: Martin Cort, Peter Stenson, Gordon Wales
  • Voice of Disembodied Brains: Heron Carvic
  • Ice Soldiers: Alan James, Anthony Verner, Peter Stenson, Michael Allaby

Original broadcast on the BBC

Channel Title Date Viewers Rating
BBC 1 21. The Sea Of Death Saturday, 11 April 1964 17:30 - 17:55 9.9M
BBC 1 22. The Velvet Web Saturday, 18 April 1964 17:30 - 17:55 9.4M
BBC 1 23. The Screaming Jungle Saturday, 25 April 1964 17:30 - 17:55 9.9M
BBC 1 24. The Snows Of Terror Saturday, 2 May 1964 17:30 - 17:55 10.4M
BBC 1 25. Sentence Of Death Saturday, 9 May 1964 17:15 - 17:40 7.9M
BBC 1 26. The Keys Of Marinus Saturday, 16 May 1964 17:15 - 17:40 5.9M

Studios

  • Ealing Television Film Studios
  • Lime Grove Studio D