Vale Barry Letts

[dalekboy]

Apparently Barry Letts has passed away. He was the producer of Doctor Who for all but the first of Jon Pertwee's stories, was executive producer for Tom Baker's last season, and did a handful of stories in various media outside those two runs.

I have no idea why, but feeling rather gutted by the news.

Most DW cast and crew die and I think it's a shame but Lett's death has actually hit me quite hard. I think one of the aspects that hits me is knowing that he and Terrance Dicks had an ongoing tradition dating back to their DW days of having a feed of chips together virtually every Friday night. I can't help but wonder how Terrance is feeling, knowing that their regular Friday nights are over, I hope he's okay.

Goodbye Barry, and thank you for producing the shows that my first Doctor appeared in. Your work has directly and indirectly influenced my life in so many ways.

Comments

[mondyboy.livejournal.com]

I've been posting this around a bit, but Jim Smith says it perfectly.


"A moment of sincerity and silence, please.

Doctor Who's only writer/director/producer. A man who worked on the series in each decade of the twentieth century in which it was made. The co-writer of 'The One With The Giant Maggots'. The director of 'The One With The Giant Spiders'. Author of one of the most admired Target novelisations. Indeed, the man who said 'Yes' to the *idea* of Target novelisations. A decorated naval officer. An actor for twenty years. A man who took on the job of producing 'Doctor Who' because no one else would and despite never having wanted to be a producer, only a director and who *doubled* its ratings inside two years. The director of the dayglo pop glory that it 'Terror of the Autons', one of a handful of 'Doctor Who' stories to gain viewers for every week of its original run. The creator of Sarah Jane Smith, Jo Grant and the Master. Producer of the Timothy Dalton-starring 'Jane Eyre'. A director on 'Z Cars' and a famous, admired 'EastEnders' two hander. Producer of the BBC's lauded 'Diary of Anne Frank'. The man who said 'Why don't you write the *geneis* of the Daleks'. The man who asked Tom Baker to play Doctor Who. The architect, directly and indirectly, of millions of childhoods.

The earth will shake."

[pre-vet-girl.livejournal.com]

The earth will, indeed, shake. What sad news.