RESEARCH & REPLICATION

Enemy of The World -The original faces the replica but which is which & who is who?

As stated in one of my previous posts, a primary reason for creating this blog of useless Timelord trivia, was to correct, uncover, re- examine and uncover missing or lost costume and prop information connected to all things linked to The 2nd Doctor. 

As we sadly know, so much is missing from this delightful era, either in junked episodes, production notes or actors anecdotes.  So, as the 2nd Doctor is my Doctor, I decided to do my bit to fill in any of the gaps where I could. Hence creating this blog as a reference point to come to for all those interested in the Patrick Troughton era. 

Though I've only been up and running for a few years now, I'm pleased to see that over five thousand hits have been made to this blog over its various posts and thanks to my Instagram account @thezero_room, I know that my research is being enjoyed by the Doctor Who fans of the classic series. It is gratifying to know that my research on The 2nd Doctor's costume has become useful as a reference in fan art and my information on the Sonic Screwdrivers has been shared and indirectly helped out on numerious prop builds, including the popular The War Games Sonic Screwdriver. However, I'm happy to say its not just the fans work that this blog has aided, but also the BBC themselves! Last year I spotted that the animation trailer, and now of course episode 3, of The Web Of Fear has also used my blog as a reference point for the Doctor's costume. If you look closely, the animation team have faithfully and painstakingly replicating the correct pattern for The Doctor's handkerchief. (see the comparason pictures below) Sadly I think my post on the correct bow-ties for each story wasn't up when the animation team started working on the missing episode!

The animated hankie against one of my hankies. Note the pattern detail.

So, this is how it should be, sharing research to help others in their projects to restore the accuracy of items long gone or forgotten. This is why this blog is here and I'm glad its being used as I intended. That said, the only cause for dismay I have over the use of this blog and its information, is the lack of acknowledgement or communication when these things are being created. With over thousands of hits to the blog, I have had only one post saying that they have found my work useful. No one has contacted me privately to say what is happening in the pipeline. Quite often I am the last to find out that the information has been used as reference point, as its other people with no connection to a particular project who point them out to me. Its quite sad really as I'm always happy to help in anyway I can with references and extra information. I am also interested to hear on the projects being worked on and how my blog has been discovered by those wanting to use the research. By all means use the info, reference the pictures etc. but come on guys... be a little gracious in the future when working on projects, I'm very discreet.

Scenes from The Web of Fear DVD animation. Note the detail on The Doctors Hankie

DER FEIND DER WELT.

Talking of projects, I'm pleased to finally announce, after keeping it under wraps for a few months now (see I told you I was discreet), that my research has helped when producing a release of official merchandise. At the start of 2021 I was contacted in a roundabout way by Polyband Media, the German distributor of Doctor Who DVD's. Polyband had decided to release a beautiful deluxe media pack edition of The Enemy of The World (The Feind Der Welt).  This package was to include several items to accompany the DVD including a replica of the 2nd Doctors hankie. However, with only minimal sections of the actual design of the hankie on show on my blog for their reference, they drew up their own design for the handkerchief. It was a good attempt with the info they had, but very much off the mark. Though I was not aware I had been contacted initially on their plans it was all very hush, hush) a few of my followers flagged it up for me when they saw the advert (see below) and after I contacted Polyband we finally got together to produce a closer version of the actual hankie. I am due to receive my copy in the post very soon and when I do I shall post up a review either here or via my Instagram account. For those interested, there is a very limited run of 333 of this Polyband Media book, which has been on sale from 30th July 2021.

The Polyband Enemy Of The World Media book & extras, including a closeup
section of the replica 2nd Doctor Handkerchief.

Though not a direct copy of the detailed pattern of the original 1960's hankies that I have, from what I have seen so far, it is a very good adaptation, albeit with less detail, but perfect for any cos-player and 2nd Doctor fans. So, why not a direct copy of the original? My decision was based on two things 1). Respecting the original design, leaving it open for collectors to track down the genuine article and 2). For collectors not get duped into buying a repro for silly amounts of money from unscrupulous dealers. It is also for this reason why I have never posted a full picture of the hankie, as sadly there are quite small minority of people out there who are happy to take advantage of others hard work and are ready to snatch money from hungry fans desperate for something new to collect.

It is with that in mind I offer a friendly cautionary heads up for for those who may be deciding to rush off and purchase the Polyband set in order to replicate the hankie to make a fast buck from it.  After a lot of research regarding the history of the original hankie pattern, owneship and orphan rights, I am pleased to say that I have now been able to buy and register the rights to this design. It can be found online under the name of Cosmichobo Hankie on the Protect My Work website. (see the certification shown left). 

...my brother-in-law Richard tells me he is poised with his legal pencil all ready and sharpened. 

So, what next for the hankie? Well, If there is enough interest, I would like to produce my own version. This in-turn will be slightly closer to the original than that of the Polyband Media's replica, both in the pattern detail and the connecting shapes. So, if this is something you are interested in, please do contact me via this blog or send me a DM via my instagram account @thezero_room,  and I will happily look at a high end quality, limited run. I am also thinking of including a version  of the green variant that Troughton wore for The Radio Times cover photo-shoot when celebrating the story The Three Doctors.

That's all for this time!

All photos & Video stills used on this site, other than my own, are © BBC Worldwide Ltd. The Doctor Who brand is a trademark of The BBC. No infringement is intended or implied