William Hartnell was, above all else, a film star.

He is by far the most prolific film actor of the main twelve to play the Time Lord.

With over 70 films to his name, summarising Hartnells film career is difficult at best.

Hartnell worked almost predominately in British Cinema, much more so than his successors.

For the sake of convenience, Ive put Hartnells film career together with that of Jon Pertwee.

It did and had he not been cast inPorridge, Mackay would have been the fourth Doctor.

Hartnell followed his Colonels advice: you better get back to the theatre, youre no bloody good here.

By 1941, having overcome his stutter, Hartnell went on to star in several classic war films.

William Hartnells next major role of note came in 1957sHell Drivers.

Viewed from todays standpoint, the film has a truly incredible cast.

Admittedly, Bob Monkhouse got most of the funny lines.

1964sTomorrow At Ten, was Hartnells final film.

He continued to appear in the theatre until 1968 when he played inBrothers And Sisters.

), a whole 17 years away from playing his successor-but-one in the TARDIS.

It was Jon Pertwees radio career that landed him the role of the Time Lord.

Pertwees film career echoes that of Hartnell in many ways.

Pertwee was also quite prolific and made nearly fifty movies between 1937 and 1992.

Both he and Hartnell were involved in the British comedy film institution, theCarry Ons.

The same year saw Pertwee appear inFour Just Menwith his father, Roland.

A movie about war veterans becoming spies, it was known in the US asThe Secret Four.

A taut, watchable British thriller,Murder At The Windmillwas known in the US asMurder Burlesque.

His Constable was played by a young Peter Butterworth, later the Meddling Monk inDoctor Who.

1959sThe Ugly Ducklingsaw Pertwee work with Danny Kaye once more.

The Sixties began with Pertwee cast in two very different films,Just JoeandNot A Hope In Hell.

Watt: Doctor Watt…

Slobotham: Doctor who, sir?

Watt: Who is my uncle…or was, I havent seen him for ages.

GivenCarry On Screamingis set in Victorian England, could this be a thinly-veiled reference toEvil Of The Daleks?

In 1977 he was Detective Judd Blake in the decidedly adultThe Adventure Of A Private Eye.

With typical humour, Pertwee told of how he discovered he had the part.

He was given a message by his wife.

She merely told him a script for the Columbus movie had arrived.

He was rarely the leading man, preferring a character study.

Next Time: Patrick Troughton and Tom Bakers horror film careers.