Don Houghton (1930–1991)

I have never watched 'Doctor Who [:] The Mind of Evil,' because it is one of the Third Doctor storylines, but listening to it was quite entertaining. Richard Franklin, who played Captain Michael Yates on the show, handles the narration for when the episodes were just showing visual action. We get a bonus interview with Mr. Franklin that I enjoyed, particularly the bit about the dashing scene where Captain Yates had to ride a motorcycle after the missile thieves.

The Mind of Evil is only the main plot. We also get an old nerve gas missile that's supposed to be safely dealt with AND a World Peace Conference. If you're a fan of the Master, he has a very evil finger in every plot pie.

The main scene of the action is an old fortress that has become Stangmoor Prison where some particularly nasty prisoners are held. The Doctor and Jo Grant go there to see a Professor Kettering demonstrate the Keller Machine, invention of Emil Keller. The machine removes the evil/negative impulses from its subjects, which have been hardened criminals. Barnham is the evil prisoner selected for the demonstration. He survives, but his mind has become that of a good child. The Doctor is not impressed. He wants the use of that dangerous machine stopped. Some non-criminal individuals might still be among the living had the Doctor had his way.

UNIT (United Nations Intelligence Taskforce) is providing security for a World Peace Conference being held in London. The conference is not going as well as the Brigadier could desire. He's getting complaints from a young woman of the Chinese delegation, Captain Chin Lee. Then things start getting weird in ways that the viewer gets to see, but not the Brigadier.

Of course it's fun when the Master shows up. He has a use for the Doctor, but almost gets him killed in the process.

There's plenty of action and betrayal and tide turning to keep fans listening.… (more)

A reincarnated Dracula plans to decimate the world.

Yes, now this is how you make a bad movie. An over-the-top plot, an inexplicably good cast, vibrant visuals, and lots of action. Apparently this is the eighth Dracula movie starring Lee and Cushing; I think there might be a Hammer Studios marathon somewhere in my future.

Concept: C
Story: D
Characters: D
Dialog: C
Pacing: B
Cinematography: B
Special effects/design: B
Acting: B
Music: B

Enjoyment: C plus

GPA: 2.3/4… (more)