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Doctor Who and the Cave-Monsters

From TARDIS Index File, the free Doctor Who reference.

Doctor Who and the Cave-Monsters
Series: Doctor Who -
Target Novelisation
Release Number: 9 (given to later editions)
Doctor: Third Doctor
Companions: Liz Shaw, the Brigadier, UNIT
Enemy: Silurians
Setting: Earth, circa 1970s
Author: Malcolm Hulke
Publisher: Target Books, W.H. Allen & Co
Publication: January 1974
Format: Hardcover and paperback editions, 158 Pages
ISBN: ISBN 0-426-11471-X
Previous Story: Doctor Who and the Auton Invasion
Following Story: Doctor Who - The Ambassadors of Death


Contents

[edit] Novelisation

  • This novelisation is based on the original television serial DW: Doctor Who and the Silurians which was shown from 31st January 1970 and written by Malcolm Hulke
  • The cover and information shown on the right is for the original Target novel and featured the artwork of Chris Achilleos. (See below for information on other UK and international editions which published with a different cover).
  • Ironically, this novelisation of the only televised serial to carry a Target-style title was given a different title.

[edit] Publisher's Cover Blurb

[edit] 1974 edition

All is not well at the Wenley Moor underground atomic research station: there are unaccountable loses of power-output; nervous breakdowns amongst the staff; and then – a death! UNIT is called in and the Brigadier is soon joined by DOCTOR WHO and Liz Shaw in a tense and exciting adventure with subterranean reptile men – SILURIANS – and a 40ft. high Tyrannosaurus rex, the biggest, most savage mammal which ever trod the earth!
"DOCTOR WHO, the children's own programme which adults adore ..." Gerard Garrett, The Daily Sketch

[edit] Deviations from the Televised Story

  • A prologue tells of the Silurians going into hiding to avoid catastrophe.
  • Each of his reptile men are given individual names and personalities.

[edit] Author, Writing and Publishing Notes

  • As one of the early titles in the Target range the writer was encouraged to flesh out his script for the novelisation.
  • Chapter 8 titled "Into an Alien World" is written from Morka's point of view.
  • The back-cover blurb on the original edition features a scientific error, as the Tyrannosaurus rex is referred to as a mammal, when in fact dinosaurs were reptiles.

[edit] Illustrations

[edit] Associated Images

[edit] Publishing History (UK)

To be added

First Publication:

  • Hardback
W.H. Allen & Co. Ltd. UK
  • Paperback
Target
25p (UK)
80c Australia

Re-issues:

70p (UK) - £1.50

1992 Virgin Publishing with a new cover by Alister Pearson priced £2.99

[edit] International Editions

[edit] Netherlands

  • Published as Doctor Who en de Holenmonsters.

[edit] Finland

  • Published as Tohtori Kuka Ja Luolahirviöt.

[edit] Portugal

  • Published as Douter Who E Os Monstros Das Cavernas.

[edit] Japan

  • Published as (transliteration): Senritsu! Chitei Monsutaa

[edit] Audio Release

This Target Book was released complete and unabridged by BBC Audio Books and read by Caroline John who played Liz Shaw.
The audio set of 4 CD's with an ISBN 1-405-67799-6 was released in September 2007 priced £13.99 (UK)
The cover blurb and thumbnail illustrations were retained in the accompanying booklet with sleevenotes by David J. Howe. Music and sound effects by Simon Power

[edit] External Sources