Doctor Who: The Gunfighters

Shane Rimmer reads this exciting novelisation of a classic Doctor Who adventure.

Donald Cotton became interested in writing and acting after he joined the drama society at Nottingham University, where he had studied zoology before transferring to English and philosophy. During the Fifties he wrote for and appeared in numerous stage revues. His first television work – a musical adaptation of A Christmas Carol – came in 1955 for ITV. His BBC debut was in 1958, as a contributor to a late-night revue show, Better Late! This was followed by a period of radio work as a writer for the BBC’s Third Programme. It was story editor Donald Tosh who contacted Cotton about writing for Doctor Who and this resulted in his penning two scripts for the show: The Myth Makers (1965) and The Gunfighters (1966). At this point Tosh left the show, and the new production team wished to steer away from adventures in history, so Cotton’s association with the programme ended. Having helped to develop the BBC series Adam Adamant Lives!, he grew disillusioned with television and concentrated instead on the theatre, where he had continued success as a playwright and actor throughout the Sixties and Seventies. He retired from acting in 1981, but continued his writing career into the Eighties. He novelised his two Doctor Who scripts for the Target range, and also novelised Dennis Spooner’s similarly themed The Romans. Target Books also produced an original novel called The Bodkin Papers: Being the Memoirs of Josiah Bodkin, Bird about Town and Parrot of the World (1986), the bird in question being the 150-year-old parrot companion to Charles Darwin. Cotton died in January 2000. Author biography by David J. Howe, author of The Target Book, the complete illustrated guide to the Target Doctor Who novelisations.

Back in the gun-totin', hard-hittin', fast-shootin' days of the Old Wild West, when outlaws ruled the land and the good guys stayed off the streets, a troupe of travelling players - Miss Dodo Dupont, Steven Regret and the mysterious Doctor Caligari - moseyed into the town of Tombstone one October afternoon. Their method of transportation was a mite peculiar though. After all, a police box materialising out of thin air sure ain't the usual way to enter a sedate town like Tombstone...   And when the Doctor and his pardners meet up with Wyatt Earp and the notorious Clanton brothers, they soon find out that the scene is all set for high noon at the O. K. Corral...   Shane Rimmer, who played Seth Harper in the original BBC TV serial, reads Donald Cotton's complete and unabridged novelisation, first published by Target Books in 1985.

Doctor Who: The Myth Makers (Classic Novels)

Stephen Thorne reads this delightful novelisation of a classic Doctor Who adventure.

Long, long ago on the great plains of Asia Minor, two mighty armies faced each other in mortal combat. The armies were the Greeks and the Trojans, and the prize they were fighting for was Helen, the most beautiful woman in the world. To the Greeks it seemed that the city of Troy was impregnable and only a miracle could bring them success. And then help comes to them in a most mysterious way, as a strange blue box materialises close to their camp, bringing with it the Doctor, Steven and Vicki, who soon find themselves caught up in the irreversible tide of history and legend... Stephen Thorne, who appeared in several episodes of the classic BBC TV Doctor Who series, reads Donald Cotton’s complete and unabridged novelisation, first published by Target Books in 1985. ‘BBC Audiobooks has chosen well with its books and has taken the right approach with its readers... they benefit from new music and sound effects’ - Doctor Who Magazine.

The TARDIS lands in the Wild West in this classic BBC TV soundtrack starring William Hartnell, written by Donald Cotton and with linking narration by Peter Purves.

'So come, you coyotes, and howl at the moon 'til there's blood upon the sawdust in The Last Chance Saloon...' It's 1881 and, in the Wild West settlement of Tombstone, there are three strangers in town: 'Doctor Caligari', 'Steven Regret', and 'Miss Dodo Dupont'. They've arrived in a 20th Century blue police box, and they're about to wander into a whole heap of trouble... The Doctor is in need of a dentist, but the sort of anaesthetic Doc Holliday uses comes out of a liquor bottle. He's in the middle of a feud with the Clanton family, whilst Wyatt Earp and Bat Masterson try to keep the peace. This isn't the place for a relaxing holiday, as the TARDIS crew soon discover. Tombstone's not the most happily named of towns, and it seems it may live up to that name any day now. There's a gunfight at the OK Corral brewing and, if the Doctor and his friends aren't careful, they're going to be caught in the crossfire.... In a bonus interview, Peter Purves, who also narrates this remastered soundtrack, recalls the making of The Gunfighters for television. A special 10-minute bonus music segment is also included.

Donald Cotton

Paul Erickson

Glyn Jones

William Hartnell

William Russell

Maureen O'Brien

Peter Purves

Anneke Wills

Full Cast

Overall the highlights here are the work of the original cast members in bridging the action with narration, which adds a depth to the television scripts that was often lacking... if you’re looking for an alternative take on familiar adventures, or simply want the flexibility that audios offer, then this box-set is your answer.

These classic soundtrack adventures, with additional linking narration, have all been remastered and include bonus interviews with William Russell, Maureen O'Brien, Peter Purves and Anneke Wills. The Sensorites: the Doctor and friends meet the alien Sensorites... The Romans: in first-century Rome, Ian and Barbara are sold into slavery and the Doctor encounters Nero... The Space Museum: the Doctor and his companions see a terrible potential future... The Ark: the Doctor, Steven and Dodo come face-to-face with the last humans and their servants, the Monoids... The Gunfighters: 1881, Tombstone. The TARDIS crew are in trouble, as they try to avoid getting caught in the crossfire at the OK Corral... The War Machines: The TARDIS lands in London in 1966 - only to find that the brand new Post Office Tower is home to a monstrous supercomputer. This box set also contains bonus PDF files of the original TV scripts. 
 
13 CDs. 12 hrs 30 mins.

Donald Cotton

Praise for Doctor Who Collection 6: The TV Episodes

Overall the highlights here are the work of the original cast members in bridging the action with narration, which adds a depth to the television scripts that was often lacking... if you’re looking for an alternativ ...

Books by Donald Cotton

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