If I remember my DOCTOR WHO history correctly, a DALEK's
'plunger' appeared on the programme on December 21st, 1963, but it
wasn't until the following week (28th) that the pepper-pot perpetrators
of planetary pulverisation appeared in their full glory and subsequently
took the kiddie-contingent of the country by storm. MARX TOYS were
amongst the first to jump on the merchandising bandwagon that followed,
with an assortment of friction-drive, ball-bearing and battery-powered
bump 'n' go plastic playthings in varying sizes and colours. (Silver
and black initially, with red and yellow ones a few years later.)
Although the demand for these toys was huge, it has to be admitted
wasn't until the following week (28th) that the pepper-pot perpetrators
of planetary pulverisation appeared in their full glory and subsequently
took the kiddie-contingent of the country by storm. MARX TOYS were
amongst the first to jump on the merchandising bandwagon that followed,
with an assortment of friction-drive, ball-bearing and battery-powered
bump 'n' go plastic playthings in varying sizes and colours. (Silver
and black initially, with red and yellow ones a few years later.)
Although the demand for these toys was huge, it has to be admitted
in the cold light of adulthood that they weren't entirely accurate in terms
of detail. True, they captured the essence of the aggressive aliens perfectly
and were even used as stand-ins in the programme itself, but could hardly
be considered as exact reproductions of their TV counterparts. (Although
Marx were not the only manufacturers of Dalek merchandise whose
product differed from their cathode ray tube incarnations.)
At least, that's the generally-held view of collectors of these popular
'metal' mutants. However, a few years back, in the pages of DOCTOR
WHO MAGAZINE, I spied an early production sketch by designer RAY
CUSICK, which suggested a possible means of propelling the Scions of
SKARO around the BBC studios. Take a good look at the drawing below -
doesn't it seem remarkably similar to the Marx Dalek to you? Look at the
shape of the head - it's almost a dead-ringer for the Marx version. (It's
also got the same lights as the movie version - a couple of years before
the big-screen adventure had even been thought of.)
also got the same lights as the movie version - a couple of years before
the big-screen adventure had even been thought of.)
So, to all those inclined to write off the Marx Dalek as an inaccurate
representation of the Doctor's arch-enemies, perhaps it's now time to re-
evaluate that assessment. The fact that it bears quite a resemblance to an
approved (in appearance, if not in propulsion) production sketch by the
actual designer means we can safely regard the most sought-after toy of
Christmas '64 as an 'official', if variant, member of the Dalek ranks.
Obviously, as has been seen down through the years, Daleks
come in various versions, and each one is as valid as another. I can't
help but wonder, 'though, if these tin-pot tyrants would have been as
successful if either of the following two designs had been approved by
those in charge. Perhaps the whole future of the programme would
have been different - if, indeed, it would even have had one.
So, go on - dig out your Marx Dalek today (if you're lucky
enough to own one) and give him pride of place once more on your
shelf or sideboard. No longer need he play second-fiddle to his later
brothers and cousins. No hiding him behind the rest of them, mind -
stick him up-front where he rightfully belongs.