Doctor Who - Happiness Patrol [VHS]

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Product details

Actor: Jon Pertwee, Patrick Troughton, Peter Davison, Tom Baker, William Hartnell
Producer: Peter Bryant
Writer: Sydney Newman
Edition: VHS Tape
Format: Black & White, Color, NTSC
Running Time: 74 minutes
Release Date: 1998-03-31
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Publisher: 20th Century Fox
Studio: 20th Century Fox

VHS Movie Reviews of Doctor Who - Happiness Patrol [VHS]

Movie Review: Thought Provoking
Summary: 3 Stars

Ok. There is a lot to say here, partly because of the story itself and partly because of some the poor comments by several reviewers.

First, the story itself: Terra Alpha, an Earth colony some time in the future, ruled by the fascist Helen A. She oversees a totalitarian government that demands that everyone be happy ... on pain of death by the Happiness Patrol or by the Kandyman. Kandyman is a robot actually made of candy. (Ok, it's symbolic. Give the producers artistic license on that one.)

Let's skip the summarization of the plot, you can get that in other reviews. This story is one which is trying to say something. Most Dr. Who stories are just entertainment but this one does try to make some points. My belief is that any such story shouldn't be judged by the sets or the costumes, etc. It should make you think and it should elicit some well thought out comments. This story does the job.

There are many people like Helen A, as one other reviewer commented. And there have been many governments like Helen A's. The Stalinist Soviet Union, Hitler's Germany, any Islamofascist regime, and perhaps Rome under Nero. Any government that uses the threat of death to attempt mind control fits the bill.

But as a further thought, there is a significant difference between a government that attempts mind control by passing laws that threaten death or imprisonment and government administrations which use their position to encourage and lead. There is nothing wrong with being a bit like Pollyanna, i.e. always trying to see the good in every circumstance and make the best out of a bad situation. I think Winston Churchill tried to do this with his speeches during WWII.

This brings me to some of the "off the mark" comments made in some reviews. Whereas I DO think the producers probably were trying to parody Margaret Thatcher and her speeches by using Helen A's "loving speeches", but I don't agree that they were successful in the attempt. And this is because Thatcher was NOT a Helen A. The main ingredient of a Helen A is threat of death with the attempt at mind control. Neither Reagan nor Thatcher did that in any way, shape, or form. It comes down to the proper role of a leader to try to encourage and uplift as opposed to one who tries to FORCE you to a set of beliefs! The Hitlers, the Stalins, the Mao's, the Helen A's and others of their ilk want mind control via the barrel of a gun.

So instead of condemning Margaret Thatcher, this episode is useful in making one think on the differences between her and a Helen A.

Movie Review: Look beyond the facade
Summary: 4 Stars

A lot of people despise this McCoy story, and not entirely without reason. The visuals are certainly lacking - the entire episode practically screams "I was made in the 80's!" and the costumes are garish even for the period in which it was made. Even the most diehard Who fans can't help but snicker at the Candyman and rampant pink glittery hair.

That said, as a story, these episodes work rather well, if you can pay attention to the plot instead of spending the whole time laughing at the silly wardrobes. The planet is run by an emotionally immature and highly repressed dictator named Helen A., who is intent on controlling every aspect of her environment, down to the very minds of the people inhabiting it. Like a popular spoiled girl playing head games with her friends, each character's last initial goes up or down the alphabet depending on how well they pander to Helen A's whims. Everyone is forced act "happy" day in and day out, and any display of sadness, anger or grief gets them labeled as "killjoys" and summarily executed. Helen A will tolerate no tears in *her* world.

The Doctor and his companion Ace arrive to investigate the numerous disappearances. It is not long before they discover the secrets of Helen A's regime and unravel her power over the planet. In the end, even this hard-hearted woman who claims that she only had the best in mind for her subjects and that love is "overrated" must come to terms with the less sunny side of the human experience and learn that to have real emotion, you must take the grief with the joy, or have neither at all.

I personally have had the misfortune of dealing with a few people much like Helen A. and I can assure you, they most certainly do exist.

This story might have worked better as an audio play, given the failure of the sets and costumes, but for those who bother see beyond the disappointing visuals, clever writing, rich characters and a memorable story can be found underneath.

Movie Review: The Crappiness Patrol
Summary: 1 Stars

I can't believe all the drug-induced positive reviews this story received. Sylvester McCoy's stories are inferior to the rest of the series, hinting that the doctor is something more than a time lord from Gallifrey. But this is the worst of the worst, the crap dela crap! While watching, I couldn't prevent that awful song "Don't Worry, Be Happy", from intruding my brain. I love you, you love me, we are a happy family... I'm expecting Barney to show up any second. Helen A? Suzy Q? Earl S? Daisy K? Silas P? Is this Doctor Who or Romper Room?

I have read all the apologists for this story claim that it parallels Thatcher's reign in the UK. However, that is pure left-wing idiocy. Unfortunately, like that horrible aforementioned song, this story sticks in your mind and won't go away.

Movie Review: Don't take this one too seriously!
Summary: 5 Stars

This show seems to be somewhat of a joke, but I enjoyed it anyway. It's not your traditional Doctor Who, but it's pretty good. It's a place where everybody is forced to act happy, even when they are not... sounds like my old job...Ha Ha! Just joking! Really this show is fun, get some popcorn and soda and enjoy it.

Movie Review: Be Happy or DIE!
Summary: 5 Stars

This has to be my FAVORITE Dr Who, with this doctor playing the role. The story and plot is unlike ANY other Doctor Who adventure, which adds to the enjoyment. The story seems strangely believeable when you consider other villins in our lifetime, how they started out and ended up being so ruthless and evil. Same applies here... Helen A who is the meglomaniac who begins to hunt down and kill all who attempt any form of sadness admits herself that she NEVER started out this way, but because of her own lack of love and self worth she degenerated into a monster who, along with the Candymay, terroirze the inhabitants of Terra Alpha, a human earth colony some few hundred years to our present. The Candyman is NASTY and ruthless I SOOOOO loved him as the villin and exectionier of Helen A. The music througout is very errie and sorta like Blade Runner in some ways. Dark corridors, errie music, all citizens on the edge of fate waiting their turn to give up and die gives you a whole different outlook on life and how quickly a good thing can turn evil. Definaetly... do not HEED the bad reviews on this one. I watched this episode several times because I enjoyed it so very much. Bye for now!

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