"DOCTOR WHO": A BBC TRIBUTE TO ELISABETH SLADEN IN "THE HAND OF FEAR"

Sarah Jane Smith (Elisabeth Sladen) captured by THE HAND OF FEAR. Image: BBC

In tribute and remembrance of the lovely actress Elisabeth Sladen, who sadly passed away last month, the UK's BBC 4 channel are showing her classic DOCTOR WHO swansong story as regular companion Sarah Jane Smith- THE HAND OF FEAR-alongside the great Tom Baker as the Time Lord, in double bills over two nights from today and tomorrow evening.

Accidentally caught in an explosion in an English quarry, The Doctor and Sarah, recovering from the almost fatal incident, are soon embroiled in the discovery of an alien hand, and a ring with unusual properties that soon takes over the Doctor's loyal companion. The hand's objective: "Eldrad must live!", and by any means possible.

Trailer: YouTube - Next Time - Doctor Who - The Hand of Fear

Though not classic WHO, THE HAND OF FEAR, written by series stalwarts Bob Baker and Dave Martin, is nonetheless a very enjoyable story showing our heroes in their prime as a duo, alongside some fine and memorable creepy moments (especially the hand scenes-a nice tribute to the classic B/W horror film THE HAND OF ORLAC), and a great guest star performance from Judith Paris. The tale's weak finale is ultimately compensated for by the charming writing/acting of the departure scene between Sarah Jane and The Doctor (a sequence mostly improvised at the time of filming by the actors), which, with Sladen's tragic loss, is now even more poignant and moving than ever...

Outside of the main WHO series, the BBC have recently revealed that Sladen's highly popular spin-off series, THE SARAH JANE ADVENTURES, will be showing its last six completed episodes later in the year.

Many of Tom Baker and Elisabeth Sladen's classic WHO stories are available on DVD from 2ENTERTAIN.