The Production GuideScript To Screen: Dorzak
by Martin Willey
The Production GuideAs the episodes were completed, ITC compiled press releases to promote the series. The ITC episode descriptions sometimes had only a superficial resemblance to the actual episode. Production notes tried to give journalists material for stories about the show, such as this press release about Jill Townsend, who fell ill on Friday 12th November and had to be sent home. The story is told twice, in long and in short form, so journalists can fit whatever space they have available.
'SPACE 1999' (Series 2)
Episode: 'Dorzak'
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JILL TOWNSEND - STAR OF FILMS, TV AND
THEATRE (OPERATING THEATRE, THAT IS!)
When Jill Townsend was suddenly taken ill on set during the filming of 'Dorzak', the latest episode of Gerry Anderson's 'SPACE 1999', nobody was seriously worried. After all, there was very definitely a bug of some sort going round Pinewood Studios at the time and quite a few cast and crew members were laid low with what appeared to be gastric flu. But by mid-afternoon Jill was feeling - and looking so ill that she had to be sent home, where her doctor promptly diagnosed a grumbling appendix!
Suddenly there were some very worried faces in the 'SPACE 1999' Production Office, for the surgeon who confirmed the doctor's opinion wanted to operate almost at once and Jill was hardly half-way through her Guest Star role as Sahla, a beautiful alien who arrives on Moonbase Alpha with a desperate plea for help. Insurance policies were checked and re-checked, the Casting Director hastily looked for a replacement and the Production Manager started re-scheduling his schedule.
But it was all in vain for Jill would have none of it. "The show must go on!", she gasped, with mock heroism. "So long as my appendix continues merely to grumble, I shall stagger through. After all, this is the first time I've ever been ill while working and I'll not be beaten by a piece of human plumbing that's never used anyway!"
So she returned to Pinewowod for three more days and finished her role. "You know, I'll miss this lovely lady next week" said Director Val Guest of her, admiringly. "You don't have to, Val," said Jill, with a giggle. "You can come to the London Clinic and direct me in the theatre - the operating theatre!"
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Guest Stars in 'Dorzak', latest episode in Gerry Anderson's 'SPACE 1999', Jill Townsend and Lee Montague finished their roles on the same day and both headed out of Pinewood studios for starring roles in the theatre. But whereas Jill would have been delighted to watch Lee acting in 'What The Butler Saw' at the Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester, wild horses wouldn't drag Lee to watch Jill's performance. "Nothing personal, you understand- " he explained, hastily, "it's just that she's starring at the London Clinic, in the operating theatre. She's having her appendix out!"
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Copyright Martin Willey