Rumor: Web of Fear

[douglaswulf]

A posting at the Mausoleum Club...

www.the-mausoleum-club.org.uk/xmb/viewthread.php?tid=15772

We are talking about complete shows, extracts from others and in one case some stuff found that was kept by censors in New Zealand.

I here rumours that people think we've found The Web of Fear. We haven't sadly.

The only DW stuff to turn up are some studio recordings from The Happiness Patrol and Battlefield which the BBC wiped many years ago. We have returned those to the Restoration Team.

c

[douglaswulf]

That seems pretty definite to me. Oh well.

[willzurhorst]

But rember the bbc could be leaning on the club. And the BEEB said that Tomb was an Unearthly Child in arabic.

[douglaswulf]

willzurhorst said:

But rember the bbc could be leaning on the club. And the BEEB said that Tomb was an Unearthly Child in arabic.

Well, I suppose, but "We haven't sadly" is really a direct denial. Up to that point, there had not been a direct denial, but only statements that it was "nonsense" and so forth. This seems to be a very definite denial.

[douglaswulf]

Well, there is still one way to reinterpret this in a clever way as not being a denial. He says, "people think we've found..." and "We haven't..." which if this "we" refers to ITV (for example) could mean that the BBC did. Sorry, but I couldn't resist one more round of conspiracy theorizing.

[willzurhorst]

Yeah i agree the rt haven't ruled it out as a definite hoax yet. Who knows they could be in negations with a foreign TV archive
or a collector right know. time will tell.

[douglaswulf]

There seems to be a very clear and direct denial from Paul Vanezis on the RT forum that the BBC has recovered any episodes or has any direct info on any missing episodes now. The text of the message is given below...

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Paul Vanezis
Re: Game over for missing episodes?
Thu Sep 20 2007 19:58:03
082.036.041.243

>Until we get an official word from the BBC or the RT, how can we know anything at all?<

Agreed.

Whether you want to regard this as official or not is up to you all, but as of today, there has been no approach whatsoever from any person, body, organisation or overseas broadcaster to the BBC as far as I know, or any of my extensive contacts saying they physically have this material or have seen it recently in any form.

The only information about it where its possible existence is mentioned is on a so-called news website. However, rumour isn't news, it's rumour. Therefore I have to conclude that there is no truth in it as nobody has been approached.

That said, I was one of the organisers of the TellyCon convention in 1987, when we screened unnannounced episode 3 of 'The Faceless Ones'. Apart from stewards and Steve Bryant at the BBC (and the film collector, Gordon) nobody knew we were going to show it. We still did have to get permission to show it from BBC Enterprises though. This episode had been 'rumoured' to exist two years earlier, so frankly anything is possible.

Cheers,

Paul

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[willzurhorst]

That denial is not complete all he is saying is the rt don't know about it . Maybe someone with the archives is dealing with it. If exists. And the rt haven't been given any info as yet or have been told to keep it under raps. IE the subtle hint at the end

[douglaswulf]

willzurhorst said:

That denial is not complete all he is saying is the rt don't know about it . Maybe someone with the archives is dealing with it. If exists. And the rt haven't been given any info as yet or have been told to keep it under raps. IE the subtle hint at the end

Well, we will get FINAL confirmation by October 13th or 14th concerning that Raiders of the Lost Archive event, but don't be too optimistic.

[willzurhorst]

just have a gut feeling somethings going on. And we are being mislead into believing its a hoax for the ultimate surprise.

[douglaswulf]

willzurhorst said:

just have a gut feeling somethings going on. And we are being mislead into believing its a hoax for the ultimate surprise.

Of course, I hope you are correct.

[douglaswulf]

Another query on the RT forum

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Jon Witchell
Sorry if this topic is not allowed...
Wed Sep 26 2007 18:15:23
194.072.070.113

Obviously delete if topic is not allowed, but can the RT yet confirm if the Web of Fear find is actually a hoax? There's been no word on the official BBC site or on Dr Who Online where the rumour originated. Various people have implied that it is almost likely to be a hoax, but as far as I know there's been know confirmation, and since its been over a fortnight its unusual for there to be no word yet, going on previous hoaxes.

Many thanks,

Jon

[douglaswulf]

Richard Bignell replied...

++++++++++++++++

Richard Bignell
As Paul Vanezis said...
Wed Sep 26 2007 18:34:27
082.034.076.249

As Paul Vanezis said on 20 September:

"Whether you want to regard this as official or not is up to you all, but as of today, there has been no approach whatsoever from any person, body, organisation or overseas broadcaster to the BBC as far as I know, or any of my extensive contacts saying they physically have this material or have seen it recently in any form.

The only information about it where its possible existence is mentioned is on a so-called news website. However, rumour isn't news, it's rumour. Therefore I have to conclude that there is no truth in it as nobody has been approached."

Richard

[douglaswulf]

Steve Roberts replied...

+++++++++++++++++

Steve Roberts
Re: Sorry if this topic is not allowed...
Wed Sep 26 2007 18:22:00
082.044.184.159

We have had absolutely no evidence to suggest that it's anything other than a hoax.

Steve

[douglaswulf]

Jon Witchell replied...

+++++++++++++

Jon Witchell
RE:
Wed Sep 26 2007 18:47:23
194.072.070.113

Thanks Steve and Richard. Might I suggest that this is posted on the BBC site so that fans get official clarification? Annoucements aren't always neccessary but in this case with a prolonged 'not knowing' of the situation it might be wise.

Jon