The Talons of Weng-Chiang: Part One 

The Doctor and Leela land in Victorian London, and find themselves in the middle of missing girls, mutilated bodies, and vicious Chinese gangs. The Palace theater, presenting hypnotist Li H'sen Chang seems to be at the center of it all.

Director:

David Maloney

Writer:

Robert Holmes (by)

Stars:

Tom Baker, Louise Jameson, John Bennett

Cast

Episode complete credited cast:
Tom Baker	...	Doctor Who
Louise Jameson	...	Leela
John Bennett	...	Li H'sen Chang
Christopher Benjamin	...	Jago
Chris Gannon	...	Casey
Trevor Baxter	...	Professor Litefoot
Deep Roy	...	Mr. Sin
David McKail	...	Sergeant Kyle
Conrad Asquith	...	P.C. Quick
Alan Butler	...	Buller
Patsy Smart	...	Ghoul
Tony Then	...	Lee
John Wu	...	Coolie

Storyline

In Victorian London, the Doctor and Leela are on their way to a performance by Chinese magician Li H'Sen Chiang when they come across a gang carrying away a body. At the police station, they learn that young girls have been going missing. They also meet the magician who has come to free one of his men. The man bears a tattoo of the a black scorpion, one of the greatest criminal organizations of all time. When the Doctor finds a tuft of rat hair on the dead man, he and Leela explore the sewers. At the theater, the doorman Casey and the manager Jago see what is going on in the cellar.

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Plot Keywords:

doctor who | 19th century | fourth doctor | london england | giant rat | 

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Genres:

Adventure | Drama | Family | Sci-Fi

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 February 1977 (UK)

Filming Locations:

The Royal Theatre, Northampton, Northamptonshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

25 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Voted by fans as the greatest Doctor Who (1963) serial of all time in Outpost Gallifrey's poll in 2003 to celebrate 40 years of the series.

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Goofs

Though they tried to cover them up with white tape, the mortuary where the Doctor meets the Professor has a couple of power-points on the white tiled wall.

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Quotes

Jago: I'd of propelled him onto the pavement with a punt up the posterior.

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Connections

References The Wizard of Gore (1970)

User Reviews

Magic

A fully loaded 1977 "Doctor Who" classic featuring:

-The Doctor strolling through shadowy London streets wearing a Sherlock Holmes-inspired deerstalker cap.

-Leela out of her animal skin dress but still ready to rumble in ankle length Victorian-era garb.

-Also on board: a sinister magician in the service of his Phantom of the Opera-like master.

-Young wenches drained of their life energy to prolong the existence of a twisted time traveling scientist.

-A ventriloquist dummy that's actually a deadly organic/robotic hybrid (played by Deep Roy from "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" no less).

-GIANT KILLER RATS! Okay, maybe not very convincing ones. But still, Giant Killer Rats prowling through the sewers.

-A huge sculpted dragon (quite impressive in scale considering the limited budget) that shoots death rays from it's eyes,

-and all these elements revolving around the search for a crystal key that opens another TARDIS-like time travel conveyance.

-The absurdly over-played Weng-Chiang aside, this one features terrific performances. Of particular note is the chemistry between the supporting characters Mr. Jago and Prof. Lightfoot.

"Talons.." is a "Doctor Who" episode that neither time nor dated effects can diminish the enjoyment of.