Jon Pertwee (born this day, July 7th 1919) had an almost 50 year career on stage, screen and radio. Appearing mainly in many comedic roles, Jon was once described as having "rubbery features and ability to affect silly voices", and he's certainly exercising his pre-Doctor comedic skills in this first clip...
1. Jon in a short film about Valves
This rare early 1960s cinema ad sees Jon informing the public all about the wonders of Mullard's line of electric valves! Marvel at Jon smoking a cigarette whilst setting up the wireless, they don't come cooler than that...
...from valves to vol-au-vents...
2. Jon Pertwee Recipe Book
In 1973 Jon endorsed a cook-book. Because why not? Released by The Co-Op, the actual title was Baking Your Cake and Eating it, but it's often referred to as the Jon Pertwee Recipe Book, and you can still buy a copy here.
What was that they said? Something about "silly voices"?...
3. Jon and Bessie
Jon's Doctor loved his gadgets and vehicles. He had the Whomobile, the Gyrocopter, and of course Bessie. Although sometimes she'd be "a sod to drive"...
Remember kids, if Bessie is hurtling down the road towards you - think SPLINK!...
4. Jon and SPLINK
In 1976 Jon starred in one of the most (in)famous public information films, using the mnemonic 'SPLINK' to educate children in the correct way to cross the road...
...if only Danny Pink had used his SPLINK!
But long before Dan the Soldier Man was a glint in his papa's eye...
5. Jon Pertwee Sings Songs For Vulgar Boatmen
Back in 1962 Jon launched his recording career with the album 'Jon Pertwee Sings Songs For Vulgar Boatmen'. Because why not? Enjoy track one from side one, 'The Buxom Country Maid'...
...and if you're a boatman and would like some more vulgar songs from Jon then you can still purchase the album here.
6. Gotcha
Taken from Noel's House Party, Jon's Gotcha from 1994 saw him appearing on a spoof radio show. He was mistaken for Peter Cushing, and his cousin Bill Pertwee, all the while putting up with a leaky roof and the wrong choice of Desert Island Discs. The professional he was, Jon takes it all in his stride, but the look on his face at 8:45 is priceless...
7. Jon and the Doctor Who competition.
Appearing as a guest on Good Morning with Anne and Nick, Jon first totally undermines the competition result, and then is unable to find an actual winner. What follows is a brilliant moment of how not to run a competition on live TV...
And finally...
8. Who Is The Doctor?
Originally released in 1972, Jon recites spoken lyrics over an upbeat rearrangement of the Doctor Who theme. It was the first time that one of the actors who played the Doctor recorded music having to do with Doctor Who and the first time lyrics had been set to the Doctor Who theme tune...
I cross the void beyond the mind...and it is marvellous...
The empty space that circles time
I see where others stumble blind
To seek a truth they never find
Eternal wisdom is my guide
I am the Doctor
Who is the Doctor? You is the Doctor, Sir.
Jon Pertwee
July 7th 1919 to May 20th 1996
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