The Ace Boxset: Dragonfire/ The Happiness Patrol - Out now, Bilge-bag!

[SiHart]

Extras for this set have been cleared at the BBFC:

Extras for Happiness Patrol:
00:23:44:08 HAPPINESS WILL PREVAIL
00:05:46:01 THE HAPPINES PATROL - PHOTO GALLRY
00:23:18:03 (DOCTOR WHO - THE HAPPINESS PATROL - DELETED & EXTENDED SCENES)
00:46:03:04 WHEN WORLDS COLLIDE

and for Dragonfire:
00:35:04:23 FIRE AND ICE - THE MAKING OF DRAGONFIRE
00:15:40:14 THE DOCTOR'S STRANGE LOVE - DRAGONFIRE
00:12:31:19 THE BIG BANG THEORY
00:04:46:06 DRAGONFIRE PHOTO GALLERY
00:09:55:15 DOCTOR WHO - DRAGONFIRE - DELETED & EXTENDED SCENES

[Rob McCow]

Quite a juicy looking selection of extras. Could be a nostalgia rush for me!

[J.R. Southall]

Wow, almost an entire episode's worth of deleted scenes from The Happiness Patrol (albeit probably a large portion of that running time will be bookends for the actual deleted bits themselves). And some interesting sounding extras, too: When Worlds Collide? The Doctor's Strange Love? Looks to be a fairly substantial set. Excellent!

[Antony Cox]

Ace!

[SiHart]

23 minutes of deleted scenes- yet more proof that Andrew Cartmel wasn't very good at actually editing the scripts.

Is there a single story from his era that doesn't overrun hugely?

[Si Hunt]

I think it was just the BBC who wern't very good at ordering 26 episode Doctor Who seasons.

Si.

[SiHart]

That's a much better way of looking at it Si!

[Richard Brinck-Johnsen]

About time too!

Now what about The Greatest Show in the Galaxy! Please tell me I don't have to wait till next year to have the complete 80s Who on DVD!

[Rob McCow]

I think it was just the BBC who wern't very good at ordering 26 episode Doctor Who seasons.

They're still not good at ordering. Dragonfire should come first!

[Richard Brinck-Johnsen]

I wonder how much of the extended scenes is just taken from raw studio footage as I believe a fair amount still exists from THP?

[Si Hunt]

There was once a rumoured extended video release, so it must be all final edit stuff and not timecoded.

Si.

[SiHart]

I wonder how much of the extended scenes is just taken from raw studio footage as I believe a fair amount still exists from THP?

5 studio reels apparently.

[Si Hunt]

I heard it was four reels and a drahvin.

Si.

[brandynigma]

I'm a bit surprised by the Strange Love feature on Dragonfire. There was a time when it was the darling of Season 24!

[SiHart]

Maybe it's because the story has fallen from grace in such a huge way since 1987?

[Dirk Gently]

I still like it best of season 24, possibly equal to Delta. Then PT & then TatR.

[Jon Masters]

Wicked !!

[Perry Vale]

23 minutes of deleted scenes- yet more proof that Andrew Cartmel wasn't very good at actually editing the scripts.

His script editing was fine, it was the fault of the directors. They all filmed them too slowly.

[SiHart]

Oh yes, I've read his book- he was perfect... it was everyone else around him!

[Darren]

Happiness Patrol? Where's my Nitro Nine?

[Paul Monk]

I quite enjoy Dragonfire but hate The Happiness Patrol. Its a story I really try to like but it always annoys me for no real good reason.

[SiHart]

Here's a box!

[Rob McCow]

I like the addition of the big 'A'. Also, the way the outline of the large diamond intersects the underside of the 'A' is reminiscent of the good old Diamond Logo.

[Richard Brinck-Johnsen]

Wicked!

I so wish this was out before my birthday. I may have to make an exception to my "wait until it's cheap" rule for this release!

Oh and am I the only one who thinks "Ace Adventures" would be an awesome title for a spin-off series?!

[Rob McCow]

Anything would be better than the 'Dorothy McShane Adventures'.

I'm excited about this release. So is Andrew Cartmel.