Have you seen the Doctor Who story with the Dalek, the nuns and the train with no driver?  No, me neither, but here’s the photographic evidence:

Source: tragicalhistorytour.com

This is actually a photo from the Daily Mail Boys and Girls Exhibition which ran over the winter of 1964-1965.  That was the second year that the exhibition had been sponsored by the Daily Mail, but with previous sponsors the event had been running since 1956 at Olympia.  However, that’s not the beginning of the story, because the the exhibition was retitled from the previous “Schoolboys Exhibition”, which ran at various locations in London since the 1920s.  The earliest event I can find any reference to is 1928, so presumably that was the first, but I have been unable to find much about the early history of the annual event (information in the comments section would be welcome!).

These were lavish and expensive events.  For the 1964 exhibition, the BBC loaned two Dalek props with pre-recorded soundtracks, and Carole Ann Ford made an appearance.  The Daleks being there made quite a stir, and three years later Doctor Who was an even more prominent part of the exhibition, with Cybermen, Ice Warriors, Rills from Galaxy 4, the Mire Beast from The Chase and Fungoids from The Daleks’ Master Plan.  These monsters were displayed in their own purpose-built sets, and the winners of the Blue Peter Design a Monster competition were even featured.  Patrick Troughton also put in an appearance, in costume as the Doctor.

A British Movietone news report from the 1964/5 exhibition exists.  Take a look:

Maybe somebody reading this article has memories of attending some of these events?  They certainly look like they were a huge amount of fun.  Please feel free to use the comments section to share your memories of the exhibitions, Doctor Who related or otherwise.  RP

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