The Doctor Who Production Diary: 1964

January
Expedition
3 Recording for The Daleks takes place at Lime Grove Studio D in Shepherd's Bush, London The Daleks
4 Debut broadcast of The Daleks episode three, The Escape, on BBC TV The Daleks
6 Producer Verity Lambert issues instructions to retain two Dalek casings for potential future use The Daleks
6 Moris Farhi proposes “The Fragile Yellow Arc Of Fragrance” The First Doctor
10 Recording for The Daleks takes place at Lime Grove Studio D in Shepherd's Bush, London The Daleks
11 Debut broadcast of The Daleks episode four, The Ambush, on BBC TV The Daleks
13 Recording for Marco Polo takes place at the BBC Television Film Studios in Ealing, London Marco Polo
14 Recording for Marco Polo takes place at the BBC Television Film Studios in Ealing, London Marco Polo
15 Recording for Marco Polo takes place at the BBC Television Film Studios in Ealing, London Marco Polo
16 Recording for Marco Polo takes place at the BBC Television Film Studios in Ealing, London Marco Polo
17 Recording for Inside The Spaceship takes place at Lime Grove Studio D in Shepherd's Bush, London Inside The Spaceship
17 Recording for Marco Polo takes place at the BBC Television Film Studios in Ealing, London Marco Polo
18 Debut broadcast of The Daleks episode five, The Expedition, on BBC TV The Daleks
21 Terry Nation is commissioned to write The Keys Of Marinus in place of “The Red Fort” The Keys Of Marinus
24 Recording for Inside The Spaceship takes place at Lime Grove Studio D in Shepherd's Bush, London Inside The Spaceship
25 Debut broadcast of The Daleks episode six, The Ordeal, on BBC TV The Daleks
31 Recording for Marco Polo takes place at Lime Grove Studio D in Shepherd's Bush, London Marco Polo

February
1 Debut broadcast of The Daleks episode seven, The Rescue, on BBC TV The Daleks
4 An untitled “miniscules” storyline by Robert Gould is abandoned The First Doctor
6 Moris Farhi proposes “The Fragile Yellow Arc Of Fragrance” The First Doctor
7 Recording for Marco Polo takes place at Lime Grove Studio D in Shepherd's Bush, London Marco Polo
8 Debut broadcast of Inside The Spaceship episode one, The Edge Of Destruction, on BBC TV Inside The Spaceship
9 The Beatles appear on The Ed Sullivan Show, heralding the British Invasion of North America
10 David Whitaker is retroactively commissioned for writing Inside The Spaceship Inside The Spaceship
13 The final thirteen episodes of Doctor Who's original 52-episode production block are ordered, following on from the slot eventually filled by The Sensorites The First Doctor
14 Recording for Marco Polo takes place at Lime Grove Studio D in Shepherd's Bush, London Marco Polo
15 Debut broadcast of Inside The Spaceship episode two, The Brink Of Disaster, on BBC TV Inside The Spaceship
16 Birth of Christopher Eccleston (bio), who played the Ninth Doctor
20 Doctor Who appears on the cover of the Radio Times listings magazine for the first time, advertising the start of Marco Polo The First Doctor
21 Recording for Marco Polo takes place at Lime Grove Studio D in Shepherd's Bush, London Marco Polo
22 Debut broadcast of Marco Polo episode one, The Roof Of The World, on BBC TV Marco Polo
24 “The Fragile Yellow Arc Of Fragrance” is rejected, but Moris Farhi begins work on “Farewell Great Macedon” The First Doctor
25 Boxer Cassius Clay, later known as Muhammad Ali, beats Sonny Liston to become the heavyweight champion of the world
25 John Lucarotti is commissioned to write The Aztecs The Aztecs
25 Peter R Newman is commissioned to write The Sensorites The Sensorites
28 Recording for Marco Polo takes place at Lime Grove Studio D in Shepherd's Bush, London Marco Polo
29 Debut broadcast of Marco Polo episode two, The Singing Sands, on BBC TV Marco Polo

March
early
Mar
Recording for The Keys Of Marinus takes place at the BBC Television Film Studios in Ealing, London The Keys Of Marinus
6 Recording for Marco Polo takes place at Lime Grove Studio D in Shepherd's Bush, London Marco Polo
7 Debut broadcast of Marco Polo episode three, Five Hundred Eyes, on BBC TV Marco Polo
12 With Carole Ann Ford having grown unhappy with Susan's development, the press reports that she will leave Doctor Who at the end of the first production block Susan 
Foreman
13 Recording for Marco Polo takes place at Lime Grove Studio D in Shepherd's Bush, London Marco Polo
14 Debut broadcast of Marco Polo episode four, The Wall Of Lies, on BBC TV Marco Polo
17 Terry Nation is commissioned to write The Dalek Invasion Of Earth The Dalek Invasion Of Earth
20 Recording for The Keys Of Marinus takes place at Lime Grove Studio D in Shepherd's Bush, London The Keys Of Marinus
21 Debut broadcast of Marco Polo episode five, Rider From Shang-Tu, on BBC TV Marco Polo
26 David Whitaker is forced to defend part three of The Keys Of Marinus against charges of plagiarism levied by Robert Gould The Keys Of Marinus
27 Recording for The Keys Of Marinus takes place at Lime Grove Studio D in Shepherd's Bush, London The Keys Of Marinus
28 Debut broadcast of Marco Polo episode six, Mighty Kublai Khan, on BBC TV Marco Polo

April
2 Dennis Spooner is commissioned to write The Reign Of Terror The Reign Of Terror
3 Recording for The Keys Of Marinus takes place at Lime Grove Studio D in Shepherd's Bush, London The Keys Of Marinus
4 Debut broadcast of Marco Polo episode seven, Assassin At Peking, on BBC TV Marco Polo
10 Recording for The Keys Of Marinus takes place at Lime Grove Studio D in Shepherd's Bush, London The Keys Of Marinus
11 Debut broadcast of The Keys Of Marinus episode one, The Sea Of Death, on BBC TV The Keys Of Marinus
13 Recording for The Aztecs takes place at the BBC Television Film Studios in Ealing, London The Aztecs
14 Recording for The Aztecs takes place at the BBC Television Film Studios in Ealing, London The Aztecs
14 Louis Marks is commissioned to provide a storyline for Planet Of Giants Planet Of Giants
17 Recording for The Keys Of Marinus takes place at Lime Grove Studio D in Shepherd's Bush, London The Keys Of Marinus
18 Debut broadcast of The Keys Of Marinus episode two, The Velvet Web, on BBC TV The Keys Of Marinus
21 BBC2 begins broadcasting a day later than intended, due to a power failure at Television Centre
24 Recording for The Keys Of Marinus takes place at Lime Grove Studio D in Shepherd's Bush, London The Keys Of Marinus
25 Debut broadcast of The Keys Of Marinus episode three, The Screaming Jungle, on BBC One The Keys Of Marinus

May
1 Recording for The Aztecs takes place at Lime Grove Studio D in Shepherd's Bush, London The Aztecs
2 Debut broadcast of The Keys Of Marinus episode four, The Snows Of Terror, on BBC One The Keys Of Marinus
8 Recording for The Aztecs takes place at BBC Television Centre Studio 3 in White City, London The Aztecs
9 Debut broadcast of The Keys Of Marinus episode five, Sentence Of Death, on BBC One The Keys Of Marinus
11 Louis Marks is commissioned to write Planet Of Giants Planet Of Giants
15 Recording for The Aztecs takes place at BBC Television Centre Studio 3 in White City, London The Aztecs
mid
May
Recording for The Sensorites takes place at the BBC Television Film Studios in Ealing, London The Sensorites
16 Debut broadcast of The Keys Of Marinus episode six, The Keys Of Marinus, on BBC One The Keys Of Marinus
20 Sydney Newman suggests that Doctor Who should be cancelled if satisfactory studio facilities cannot be found for the programme; it is soon agreed that Riverside Studio 1 will be the show's new production home The First Doctor
22 Recording for The Aztecs takes place at Lime Grove Studio D in Shepherd's Bush, London The Aztecs
23 Debut broadcast of The Aztecs episode one, The Temple Of Evil, on BBC One The Aztecs
29 Recording for The Sensorites takes place at BBC Television Centre Studio 3 in White City, London The Sensorites
30 Debut broadcast of The Aztecs episode two, The Warriors Of Death, on BBC One The Aztecs
late
May
The Controller of Programmes for BBC One, Donald Baverstock, decides to end Doctor Who's first season with The Reign Of Terror instead of The Sensorites The First Doctor

June
5 Recording for The Sensorites takes place at BBC Television Centre Studio 3 in White City, London The Sensorites
6 Debut broadcast of The Aztecs episode three, The Bride Of Sacrifice, on BBC One The Aztecs
12 Nelson Mandela is sentenced to life in prison for protesting Apartheid in South Africa
12 Recording for The Sensorites takes place at Lime Grove Studio D in Shepherd's Bush, London The Sensorites
13 Debut broadcast of The Aztecs episode four, The Day Of Darkness, on BBC One The Aztecs
15 Doctor Who is recorded on location for the first time, at Denham and Gerrards Cross in Buckinghamshire, for The Reign Of Terror The Reign Of Terror
16 Recording for The Reign Of Terror takes place at the BBC Television Film Studios in Ealing, London The Reign Of Terror
17 Recording for The Reign Of Terror takes place at the BBC Television Film Studios in Ealing, London The Reign Of Terror
18 Recording for The Reign Of Terror takes place at the BBC Television Film Studios in Ealing, London The Reign Of Terror
19 Recording for The Sensorites takes place at BBC Television Centre Studio 4 in White City, London The Sensorites
20 Debut broadcast of The Sensorites episode one, Strangers In Space, on BBC One The Sensorites
21 Birth of David Morrissey (bio), who played Jackson Lake
26 Recording for The Sensorites takes place at Lime Grove Studio G in Shepherd's Bush, London The Sensorites
27 Debut broadcast of The Sensorites episode two, The Unwilling Warriors, on BBC One The Sensorites

July
2 The Civil Rights Act abolishes racial segregation in the United States
3 Recording for The Sensorites takes place at Lime Grove Studio D in Shepherd's Bush, London The Sensorites
4 Doctor Who is preempted for the first time, due to an extended edition of Summer Grandstand The First Doctor
10 Recording for The Sensorites takes place at Lime Grove Studio G in Shepherd's Bush, London The Sensorites
10 Recording for The Reign Of Terror takes place at Lime Grove Studio G in Shepherd's Bush, London The Reign Of Terror
11 Debut broadcast of The Sensorites episode three, Hidden Danger, on BBC One The Sensorites
14 Birth of Jane Espenson (bio), writer and co-executive producer
17 Recording for The Reign Of Terror takes place at Lime Grove Studio G in Shepherd's Bush, London The Reign Of Terror
18 Debut broadcast of The Sensorites episode four, A Race Against Death, on BBC One The Sensorites
22 Birth of Bonnie Langford (bio), who played Melanie Bush
24 Recording for The Reign Of Terror takes place at Lime Grove Studio G in Shepherd's Bush, London; director Henric Hirsch collapses from stress The Reign Of Terror
25 Debut broadcast of The Sensorites episode five, Kidnap, on BBC One The Sensorites
30 Terry Nation is asked to amend his scripts for The Dalek Invasion Of Earth to incorporate Susan's departure from Doctor Who Susan 
Foreman
30 Recording for Planet Of Giants takes place at the BBC Television Film Studios in Ealing, London Planet Of Giants
31 Recording for The Reign Of Terror takes place at Lime Grove Studio G in Shepherd's Bush, London The Reign Of Terror
31 Moris Farhi's “Farewell Great Macedon” is abandoned The First Doctor

August
1 Debut broadcast of The Sensorites episode six, A Desperate Venue, on BBC One The Sensorites
6 Dennis Spooner begins trailing David Whitaker in preparation for becoming Doctor Who's story editor The First Doctor
7 The United States Congress passes the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, which facilitates a major escalation of American military activity against North Vietnam
7 Recording for The Reign Of Terror takes place at BBC Television Centre Studio 4 in White City, London The Reign Of Terror
8 Debut broadcast of The Reign Of Terror episode one, A Land Of Fear, on BBC One The Reign Of Terror
13 Recording for Planet Of Giants takes place at the BBC Television Film Studios in Ealing, London Planet Of Giants
14 The BBC orders thirteen episodes of Doctor Who to open its second production block The First Doctor
14 Recording for The Reign Of Terror takes place at BBC Television Centre Studio 4 in White City, London The Reign Of Terror
15 Debut broadcast of The Reign Of Terror episode two, Guests Of Madame Guillotine, on BBC One The Reign Of Terror
17 Pamela Franklin is cast as new companion Jenny, who will be introduced in The Dalek Invasion Of Earth The First Doctor
19 Due to a contract dispute with the regular cast, Verity Lambert decides that Jenny will not be retained as a new companion; Pamela Franklin is subsequently replaced in The Dalek Invasion Of Earth by Ann Davies The First Doctor
21 By this date, the BBC guarantees a second block of thirteen episodes for Season Two in order to settle the regular cast's contract dispute The First Doctor
21 Recording for Planet Of Giants takes place at BBC Television Centre Studio 4 in White City, London Planet Of Giants
22 Debut broadcast of The Reign Of Terror episode three, A Change Of Identity, on BBC One The Reign Of Terror
23 Recording for The Dalek Invasion Of Earth takes place in London, at Westminster, South Kensington and Wembley The Dalek Invasion Of Earth
25 Recording for The Dalek Invasion Of Earth takes place in London, at Shepherd's Bush and Southwark The Dalek Invasion Of Earth
27 Recording for The Dalek Invasion Of Earth takes place in London, at Kew, Hammersmith, Wapping and Southwark The Dalek Invasion Of Earth
28 Recording for Planet Of Giants takes place at BBC Television Centre Studio 4 in White City, London Planet Of Giants
28 Recording for The Dalek Invasion Of Earth takes place in Stone, Kent The Dalek Invasion Of Earth
29 Debut broadcast of The Reign Of Terror episode four, The Tyrant Of France, on BBC One The Reign Of Terror
31 Dennis Spooner is commissioned to write The Romans The Romans
late
Aug
David Whitaker receives informal permission to write The Rescue to introduce new companion Tanni The Rescue

September
4 Recording for Planet Of Giants takes place at BBC Television Centre Studio 4 in White City, London Planet Of Giants
5 Birth of Stephen Greenhorn (bio), writer
5 Debut broadcast of The Reign Of Terror episode five, A Bargain Of Necessity, on BBC One The Reign Of Terror
11 Recording for Planet Of Giants takes place at BBC Television Centre Studio 4 in White City, London Planet Of Giants
12 Debut broadcast of The Reign Of Terror episode six, Prisoners Of Conciergerie, on BBC One The Reign Of Terror
18 Recording for The Dalek Invasion Of Earth takes place at Riverside Studio 1 in Hammersmith, London The Dalek Invasion Of Earth
24 Victor Pemberton's “The Slide” is rejected The First Doctor
25 Recording for The Dalek Invasion Of Earth takes place at Riverside Studio 1 in Hammersmith, London The Dalek Invasion Of Earth
28 Bill Strutton is commissioned to write The Web Planet The Web Planet
30 William Hartnell's contract is extended for 16 episodes beginning with The Rescue The First Doctor
30 William Russell's contract is extended for 16 episodes beginning with The Rescue Ian 
Chesterton
30 Jacqueline Hill's contract is extended for 16 episodes beginning with The Rescue Barbara 
Wright

October
early
Oct
David Whitaker encouraged Glyn Jones to develop a Doctor Who serial, and he is soon commissioned to write The Space Museum The Space Museum
2 William Hartnell's back is injured during recording for The Dalek Invasion Of Earth at Riverside Studio 1 in Hammersmith, London The Dalek Invasion Of Earth
6 Terry Nation is commissioned to write an untitled Dalek storyline The First Doctor
9 Maureen O'Brien is contracted to play new companion Tanni for 12 episodes, beginning with The Rescue Vicki
9 Recording for The Dalek Invasion Of Earth takes place at Riverside Studio 1 in Hammersmith, London The Dalek Invasion Of Earth
16 Recording for The Dalek Invasion Of Earth takes place at Riverside Studio 1 in Hammersmith, London The Dalek Invasion Of Earth
19 Donald Wilson orders Planet Of Giants trimmed from four parts to three because he feels the story lacks pace; the final two episodes are edited together to form a single installment Planet Of Giants
20 Malcolm Hulke's “The Hidden Planet” is formally rejected The First Doctor
23 Recording for The Dalek Invasion Of Earth takes place at Riverside Studio 1 in Hammersmith, London The Dalek Invasion Of Earth
27 Albert DeSalvo is arrested and later confesses to being the Boston Strangler, who murdered thirteen women between 1962 and 1964
31 David Whitaker steps down as Doctor Who story editor, to be replaced by Dennis Spooner The First Doctor
31 Debut broadcast of Planet Of Giants episode one, Planet Of Giants, on BBC One Planet Of Giants

November
1 David Whitaker is retroactively commissioned to write The Rescue The Rescue
1 David Whitaker is commissioned to write The Crusade The Crusade
7 Debut broadcast of Planet Of Giants episode two, Dangerous Journey, on BBC One Planet Of Giants
9 The British House of Commons, under newly-elected Prime Minister Harold Wilson, votes to eliminate the death penalty
10 The BBC announces that Maureen O'Brien has been cast as the new companion, now called Lukki; a photocall is held the following day Vicki
14 Debut broadcast of Planet Of Giants episode three, Crisis, on BBC One Planet Of Giants
16 Recording for The Rescue takes place at the BBC Television Film Studios in Ealing, London The Rescue
17 Recording for The Rescue takes place at the BBC Television Film Studios in Ealing, London The Rescue
17 Recording for The Romans takes place at the BBC Television Film Studios in Ealing, London The Romans
18 Recording for The Romans takes place at the BBC Television Film Studios in Ealing, London The Romans
20 The new companion played by Maureen O'Brien is renamed Vicki Vicki
21 Debut broadcast of The Dalek Invasion Of Earth episode one, World's End, on BBC One The Dalek Invasion Of Earth
28 Debut broadcast of The Dalek Invasion Of Earth episode two, The Daleks, on BBC One; Doctor Who is one of the Top Ten programmes of the week for the first time The Dalek Invasion Of Earth

December
4 Recording for The Rescue takes place at Riverside Studio 1 in Hammersmith, London The Rescue
5 Debut broadcast of The Dalek Invasion Of Earth episode three, Day Of Reckoning, on BBC One The Dalek Invasion Of Earth
11 Recording for The Rescue takes place at Riverside Studio 1 in Hammersmith, London The Rescue
12 Debut broadcast of The Dalek Invasion Of Earth episode four, The End Of Tomorrow, on BBC One The Dalek Invasion Of Earth
16 Terry Nation is commissioned to write The Chase to replace an untitled Dalek storyline The Chase
18 Recording for The Romans takes place at Riverside Studio 1 in Hammersmith, London The Romans
19 Debut broadcast of The Dalek Invasion Of Earth episode five, The Waking Ally, on BBC One The Dalek Invasion Of Earth
26 Debut broadcast of The Dalek Invasion Of Earth episode six, Flashpoint, on BBC One The Dalek Invasion Of Earth