Doctor Who (1963) - Season 3

Note: Yes I am still going through and fixing up older articles, and splitting them apart into 'new' articles. After Doctor Who (which I really want to be done with!), it will be Lexx and Babylon 5 next. After that, I promise any articles will be entirely new ones! Apologies if it seems like I'm going around in circles...

'Galaxy 4'

Costume Design by Daphne Dare

A set of futuristic uniforms were designed for the actresses playing the 'Drahvin' aliens. The design evokes matron uniforms, with vinyl panelling over shoulders similar to a vest harness.

The uniform made for Stephanie Bidmead as the Drahvin commander Maaga is dyed a darker hue to denote her rank. Also have to mention these bunched-up hairdoes!

'Mission to the Unknown'

Costume Design by Daphne Dare

A futuristic costume was made for Robert Cartland in his role as the alien delegate Malpha. The costume seems to consist of tubes wrapped around each other, making it seem like some kind of pressure suit or cooling system.

I don't know how much of the other alien delegate costumes were custom-made past bits and bobs, such as the domed headpiece worn by one alien (whose costume otherwise consists of clear plastic and trousers - yes, that seems to be his actual chest under the plastic!)

Costume Reuse Note: One of the alien delegates is wearing a helmet originally made for 1960s' Pathfinders to Mars, with a stock medieval collar and rubber wetsuit.

'The Daleks' Master Plan'

Costume Design by Daphne Dare

A set of futuristic uniforms were made for the 'Space Security Service' cast members, in particular Nicholas Courtney as Bret Vyon and Jean Marsh as Sara Kingdom. The uniforms consist of old-fashioned military tunics and elastic trousers, have rectangular buttons and cuff markings.

A futuristic tabard-like garment was made for Kevin Stoney as 'Guardian of the Solar System' Mavic Chen, worn with a custom-made jumpsuit that buttoned up the back (I couldn't get a good shot of that).

Similar costumes were made for Maurice Browning as Chen's deputy Karlton, and the scientists; these costumes differ in the colouring and printed patterns on the tabards.

(The fact many of the actual episodes were wiped, and possibly lost forever, means that there is no way to get complete shots of most of these costumes. Unless one of these costumes turns up for auction one day!)

It seems that the pullover vests worn by the crewmen on Mavic Chen's spaceships were also custom-made items, and not just bought jumpers like I assumed! Notice the placement of the zips and the hidden pockets!

The delegates seen in the previous 'Mission to the Unknown' returned. The Malpha costume also returned, albeit with some minor alterations such as the black tubes being removed.

A new costume was made for Roy Evans as Trantis, this being a robe made of a tubed fabric. A cassock-like smock made out of vinyl was made for another extra portraying one of the alien delegates

'The Ark'

Costume Design by Daphne Dare

Several costumes were made following two basic designs, for the various cast members playing humans of the far future. The male costume consists of a vest made up of cut-up strips with a patterned collar.

The female costume is of the same basic design as the male version, but in different colours. I do wish we knew what it looked like in colour, it must have been vibrant!

'The Celestial Toymaker'

Costume Design by Daphne Dare

Many of the costumes in this serial were wardrobe stock. However, I feel the costumes worn by the 'playing card' characters - Peter Stephens as the Knave of Hearts, Campbell Singer as the King of Hearts, and Carmen Silvera as the Queen of Hearts - were custom-made for the serial.

As far as I know, these do not match the costumes seen in any previous Alice in Wonderland adaptation, and there can't have been any sort of wardrobe stock! Again surprising how little has been written on the topic!

Costume Reuse Note: Michael Gough's 'Mandarin' costume as the Toymaker was a wardrobe hire - in fact, it had been used previously on the serial 'Marco Polo'.

Costume Reuse Note #2: Peter Stephens' costume as Cyril was originally made for Gerald Campion in 1952's Billy Bunter of Greyfriars School.

'The Savages'

Costume Design by Daphne Dare

Dare designed a set of futuristic robes for Frederick Jaeger and other actors to wear as the 'Elder' Jano and his aides. These robes are cut similar to a tabard, with short sleeves and patterned fabric around the collars.

A set of futuristic collared outfits were also made, evoking designs Dare had realized for earlier serials such as 'The Rescue. I wonder if Dare took inspiration from following Mesoamerican fashions when she had designed 'The Aztecs'?

Much more in line with 1960s fashion is the dress made for Kay Patrick as Flower. I feel this dress was made for Patrick, judging by the collar's similarity to those of the male Elder robes.

A pair of futuristic armored uniforms were also made for the Elder's soldiers, with a pair of futuristic helmets. I don't know who made the helmets, but I am struck by how oddly ahead of its time the design feels. Scifi armor guys were a rarity before Star Wars and Aliens!

A set of futuristic vinyl overalls were also made for the Elder's workers - judging by how they zip up at the back, the lack of sleeves and odd cut, these were custom-made items, not bought workwear.

Dr. Who and the Daleks (1965)

'Wardrobe' supervision by Jackie Cummins

The Daleks had became a merchandising craze in the 1960s, which led to two Doctor Who tie-in movies being released by Amicus Productions, a studio that mostly specialized in horror films.

Writing on the costumes of the two Amicus movies is even more sparse than on the main series! I have no idea if Peter Cushing's costume as 'Dr. Who' was tailored for him, or if it was wardrobe stock or bought clothes.

However, the Thal costumes in Amicus' retelling of 'The Daleks' were definitely custom-made. The first Thal costume we see is a patterned robe that suspiciously looks like it was made of shower curtain fabric.

Two sets of Thal costumes were made; a male version consisting of pants and sleeveless vests in shades of yellow and green, and a female version consisting of a dress with tassled lining. It's ironic that despite the larger budget, the Amicus costumes feel less inventive than Daphne Dare's designs for the Thal costumes.

(I don't know if the Robomen jumpsuits in Daleks' Invasion Earth 2150 AD were custom-made or not, so I didn't include them. The Robomen helmets definitely were just bought motorcycle helmets with stuck-on receivers).