• Attn: If you were on the old forum, you may have to reset your password!

Spearhead from Space

So I was at the BFI yesterday, watching Spearhead from Space on a massive cinema screen, and something occurred to me

1969-70 l.jpg

We've always thought the black rostrum around the base of the TARDIS in the lab scenes was because the old base may have finally given up after being dragged around on location to film Pertwee leaving the TARDIS when he lands on Earth in Oxley Woods; however I think its more likely that the real reason for the base being elevated like it is, is so that a smoke generator could be inserted underneath the box.

The take-off scene is quite a tight shot , with Caroline John and Nicholas Courtney standing very close to the TARDIS door, as the abortive take off subsides you can see smoke rising up from the floor around them external to the box. I'd wager that it was originally planned to get a wider shot during the take off; however the set dressing may have gotten in the way, making the final shot a close up.
 
So I was at the BFI yesterday, watching Spearhead from Space on a massive cinema screen, and something occurred to me

View attachment 767849

We've always thought the black rostrum around the base of the TARDIS in the lab scenes was because the old base may have finally given up after being dragged around on location to film Pertwee leaving the TARDIS when he lands on Earth in Oxley Woods; however I think its more likely that the real reason for the base being elevated like it is, is so that a smoke generator could be inserted underneath the box.

The take-off scene is quite a tight shot , with Caroline John and Nicholas Courtney standing very close to the TARDIS door, as the abortive take off subsides you can see smoke rising up from the floor around them external to the box. I'd wager that it was originally planned to get a wider shot during the take off; however the set dressing may have gotten in the way, making the final shot a close up.
I always liked that built up black base. Looked to me though that the Tardis back door was open in that scene so maybe there was a prop guy standing out of shot with the smoke machine? I've no idea. The story did look lovely on the big screen at the BFI though! And was it my ears or has the wobbly materialisation sound effect been reinstated when it lands in the woods?
 
So I was at the BFI yesterday, watching Spearhead from Space on a massive cinema screen, and something occurred to me

View attachment 767849

We've always thought the black rostrum around the base of the TARDIS in the lab scenes was because the old base may have finally given up after being dragged around on location to film Pertwee leaving the TARDIS when he lands on Earth in Oxley Woods; however I think its more likely that the real reason for the base being elevated like it is, is so that a smoke generator could be inserted underneath the box.

The take-off scene is quite a tight shot , with Caroline John and Nicholas Courtney standing very close to the TARDIS door, as the abortive take off subsides you can see smoke rising up from the floor around them external to the box. I'd wager that it was originally planned to get a wider shot during the take off; however the set dressing may have gotten in the way, making the final shot a close up.
I don't know about others, but personally, I'd figured out that that's the original base with black cloth or something similar wrapped around it like 5 years ago. I've talked to other people who figured the same. I always assumed its because they added wheels again.
 
That would be logical. Since they weren't doing location work with him stranded on Earth it would make sense to put the prop on wheels to aid in staging and striking the set. A cloth skirt could extend all the way to the floor without affecting the wheels or causing damage (to the floor or the base of the prop).
 
So I was at the BFI yesterday, watching Spearhead from Space on a massive cinema screen, and something occurred to me

View attachment 767849

We've always thought the black rostrum around the base of the TARDIS in the lab scenes was because the old base may have finally given up after being dragged around on location to film Pertwee leaving the TARDIS when he lands on Earth in Oxley Woods; however I think its more likely that the real reason for the base being elevated like it is, is so that a smoke generator could be inserted underneath the box.

The take-off scene is quite a tight shot , with Caroline John and Nicholas Courtney standing very close to the TARDIS door, as the abortive take off subsides you can see smoke rising up from the floor around them external to the box. I'd wager that it was originally planned to get a wider shot during the take off; however the set dressing may have gotten in the way, making the final shot a close up.
Interesting - I can believe that the castors on the original Police Box's base 'gave up' after it was dragged into Oxley Wood for "Spearhead" (after all when we next see the Tardis in the publicity shots for "Terror of the Autons", it was minus its base altogether) and this was the reason that the Police Box was mounted on a rostrum.... However, if I've understood you correctly, wouldn't piping smoke into the box from underneath entail cutting a hole in the original base for the pipe to carry the smoke?

A bit extreme? Perhaps. You might be correct and this is why the original base was replaced the year after. But then, the very first appearance of the Tardis with its new base (in "Terror of the Autons") was marked by smoke billowing from the Police Box as well....
 
However, if I've understood you correctly, wouldn't piping smoke into the box from underneath entail cutting a hole in the original base for the pipe to carry the smoke?
How do!

I don't think a hole would necessaily need to be cut in the base. The rostrum could just be the original base raised on blocks to hide the smoke machine piping, with black gauze wrapped around the base to the floor. Smoke could then be pumped under the box from behind (escaping through the gauze) as well as inside through the open rear doors.
 
Last edited:
I always liked that built up black base. Looked to me though that the Tardis back door was open in that scene so maybe there was a prop guy standing out of shot with the smoke machine? I've no idea.
Yeah there was smoke coming out from inside the box, as well as from underneath. I think you're right about the open doors at the rear. That way you could get the smoke coming out from inside and underneath.

I like the raised base as well. It makes the TARDIS prop look more substantial.

The story did look lovely on the big screen at the BFI though! And was it my ears or has the wobbly materialisation sound effect been reinstated when it lands in the woods?
Yep! They'd reinstated the original sound effect. Personally I'd have retained the fix. The wobbly start was obviously a mis-que on the original soundtrack.
 
Back
Top