John Dorney

A fascinating history of motion pictures through the lens of the Academy Awards, the Best Picture winners, and the box-office contenders.In Best Pick: A Journey through Film History and the Academy Awards, John Dorney, Jessica Regan, and Tom Salinsky provide a captivating decade-by-decade exploration of the Oscars. For each decade, they examine the making of classic films, trends and innovations in cinema, behind-the-scenes scandals at the awards ceremony, and who won and why. Twenty films are reviewed in-depth, alongside ten detailed “making-of” accounts and capsule reviews of every single Best Picture winner in history. In addition, each Best Picture winner is carefully scrutinized to answer the ultimate question: “Did the Academy get it right?” Full of wonderful stories, cogent analysis, and fascinating insights, Best Pick is a witty and enthralling look at the people, politics, movies, and trends that have shaped our cinematic world.

The Doctor was dead, to begin with. Killed alongside his beloved Jo Grant in an explosion in the UNIT labs. But Time Lords are notoriously hard to kill. Because with UNIT under siege, the Brigadier is rescued by two familiar faces... the Doctor he first encountered, fighting the Yeti, and Jamie McCrimmon. With yet one more waiting in the wings. They are all pawns in a deadly game of chess played by a being more powerful than any they've ever encountered before. And when you battle Death himself... can anyone even win? Adapted from the original treatment by Bob Baker and Dave Martin for what later became the TV episode The Three Doctors. Brigadier Alistair Lethbridge-Stewart (c) Haisman & Lincoln and used under licence. With thanks to Hannah Haisman and Candy Jar.CAST: Jon Culshaw (Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart), Frazer Hines (Jamie McCrimmon), Katy Manning (Jo Grant), Stephen Noonan (The Doctor), Tim Treloar (The Doctor), Michael Troughton (The Doctor), David O'Mahony (Deadly Sins), Dianne Pilkington (The President), Joe Shire (Death). Other parts played by members of the cast.

Return to 1960's Britain for more espionage with John Steed and Tara King! Contains three more thrilling episodes; 7.1 The Fabulous Sky Beam Dilemma by Nigel Fairs. Tara gets the cream and Steed has it licked. A visiting royal finds themselves caught up in a bizarre assassination plot where finding the method will be Steed and Tara’s greatest challenge. 7.2 A Tale in Tartan by Robert Khan and Tom Salinsky. Tara captures the castle and Steed crosses the border. A kidnapping leads Tara into Scotland where she finds herself with a suspiciously familiar sidekick… 7.3 This Train Terminates Here by John Dorney. Tara steams ahead and Steed goes off the rails. A series of railway-based crimes are occurring across the country and it would appear to be the work of a sinister station-master… Cast: Julian Wadham (John Steed), Emily Woodward (Tara King), Christopher Benjamin (Mother), Janet Amsden (Betty Grudge), Kenny Blyth (Professor Braithwaite / Reverent Utterson), Amerjit Deu (Said Ghabul / Cruikshank) Abi Harris (Bonnie Braithwaite / Clarrisa Kincaid), Harry Hart (Freddie / Terry), Damian Lynch (Colin Collins / Cyril / Railwayman), Paul O’Grady (Septimus Crump), Bridgitta Roy (Miss Sprogg), Andrew Spooner (Rupert). Other parts played by members of the cast.

The Tenth Doctor revisits his companions K9, Leela, Ace and Nyssa long after their timetravelling adventures have finished. Because they all need help, and when people need help, the Doctor will never refuse...

As we close out the decade of centenaries, and approach a re-appraisal of the Civil War our nation has never truly confronted, John Dorney’s engaging history of those years – now in paperback for the first time – is a must read. Within the space of just a dozen years, Ireland was completely transformed. From being a superficially loyal part of the British Empire, it emerged as a self-governing state. How and why did Ireland go from welcoming royalty in 1912 to independence in 1922? In this exciting new updated edition, drawing on new research and the most recent material in this field, John Dorney, historian and editor of The Irish Story website, examines the roots of the revolution, using the experiences of the men and women of the time.

Donna Noble has come home. But she's about to be whisked away by aliens - and they're not as friendly as the Doctor! After the trauma of the Library, Donna wants a break, to see old friends and family, to remind herself of normality. Only Donna's new normal involves trips through time and space and visiting alien worlds. So when she and BFF Nat start looking into strange abductions, they are dragged into a whole new universe of trouble... 1. Out of this World by Jacqueline Rayner. Donna's home, but she's not quite herself. Sylvia has some ideas to bring her out of herself - involving an old friend, and speed-dating... As schoolgirl BFFs Donna and Natalie get reacquainted, a mysterious stranger dogs their steps. Is the Doctor keeping tabs on her, or is the truth far more sinister? 2. Spinvision by John Dorney. Donna and Nat have been stolen - along with the TARDIS - and they find themselves crashlanding on an alien world. On the planet Valdacki a very successful invasion is already underway. And it's one that has the very best PR. 3. The Sorcerer of Albion by James Goss. Trying to get home, Donna and Nat end up in the right place at the wrong time - the Middle Ages! A monastery is under siege from the Burning Knights, and the great Sorcerer Parval calls on the assistance of another great mage. He has summoned Merlin herself - or as Nat knows her, Donna Noble! 4. The Chiswick Cuckoos by Matt Fitton. Donna's home, but she's not quite herself. Sylvia couldn't be more pleased to see her daughter finally getting on with her life. But an alien plot is nearing completion, and the world needs saving. The Doctor is nowhere to be found, so it's all up to Donna - and Nat! CAST: Catherine Tate (Donna Noble), Jacqueline King (Sylvia Noble), Niky Wardley (Natalie), Sebastian Armesto (Garrison), Timothy Bentinck (Ganthak), Isla Blair (Marge), Phil Cornwell (Parsnip), Anthony Howell (Adrian), James Joyce (Josh Carter), Nisha Nayar (Coleridge), David Schofield (Parval), Dan Starkey (Dennis), Lydia West (Vivien). Other parts played by members of the cast.

This is the first release in a planned 12-part series based on characters and the world of Kaldor created by Chris Boucher in the classic 1977 Doctor Who TV episode, The Robots of Death. During the events of Doctor Who -Ravenous 2, Liv Chenka left the Doctor and the TARDIS behind. Just for one year. A year during which she would live on Kaldor and get to know her sister Tula all over again. But Kaldor is going through a period of tumultuous change. Technology is changing at an advanced rate -the robots are evolving, artificial intelligence is adapting, and with these changes so politics is altering too. Dangerously. Can Liv and Tula make a difference during the most turbulent time in the world's history? 1.1 The Robots of Life by Roland Moore Settling into life back on Kaldor, Liv investigates a medical centre where the patients are dying. 1.2 The Sentient by Robert Whitelock. Vissey is a young child -the sort of perfect young girl any parents would want to adopt. She is also artificial, and she sees the world in a very different way to humans. 1.3 Love Me Not by John Dorney. A widower goes to extreme lengths to keep the memories of his dead wife alive. CAST: Nicola Walker (Liv Chenka), Claire Rushbrook (Tula), Eric Carte (Arak Varren), Jon Culshaw (SV90/V88/V19), Annabelle Dowler (Jasdar Crick), Daniel Goode (Kelov), Jaye Griffiths (Til Rork), Anthony Howell (Volar Crick), Robert Whitelock (Skellen/V48/SV66), Tracy Wiles (V98/V7). Other parts played by members of the cast.

Michelle Gomez, who last played the Doctor’s best friend and wicked enemy, Missy, in the Doctor Who television series in 2017, returns to her role in some brand new audio adventures from Big Finish Productions made in arrangements with BBC studios. 1.1 Spoonful of Mayhem by Roy Gill. In a spot of bother in Victorian London, Missy is forced to take on governess duties but she has another scheme in mind, and her charges are simply in the way. She’s going to have to teach the children some rather harsh lessons about getting what you want. And there will be tears before bedtime. 1.2 Divorced, Beheaded, Regenerated by John Dorney. Missy arrives in Tudor England, throwing the plans of another renegade Time Lord into chaos.King Henry VIII is on the throne, and aliens are stomping through the countryside. Missy just wants to be Queen. And the Monk? Once he knows who else is on the scene, he’ll be glad just to stay alive. 1.3 The Broken Clock by Nev Fountain. Tonight, on Dick Zodiac’s America’s Most Impossible Killers, Detective Joe Lynwood hunts the most impossible killer of his career. There’s a trail of bodies. Impossible bodies. And Joe has one long night to solve the case. Luckily, D.I. Missy Masters from Scotland Yard in England, London, England is here to help. 1.4 The Belly of the Beast by Jonathan Morris. Missy’s scheme nears completion. All she must do is subjugate one little planet and bend the inhabitants to her will. Not too much to ask. But slaves will keep rebelling. It’s almost as if they don’t want to unearth an ancient artefact to fulfil Missy’s plans for universal domination.She’ll have to do something about that. CAST: Michelle Gomez (Missy/Matis), Rufus Hound (The Monk), Oliver Clement (Oliver Davis), Bonnie Kingston (Lucy Davis), Simon Slater (Montague Davis / Moses Walker / Coachman), Dan Starkey (Mr. Cosmo / Park Keeper / Old Man / Sphinx), Beth Chalmers (Djinn / Housemaid), Maggie Service (Catherine Parr), Leighton Pugh (Sir Foxcroft / Gramoryan 1 / Priest), Graham Seed (Gramoryan 2 / Taverner / Squire), Kenneth Jay (Dick Zodiac), Guy Paul (Joe Lynwood), Ryan Forde Iosco (The Actor Playing Joe Lynwood), Daniel Goode (Mark /Roy), Rachel Verkuil (Frankie and The Actress Playing Missy), Abbie Andrew (Aleyna), John Scougall (Cort / Guards), Lucy Goldie (Sath / Mother), Jason Nwoga(Doctor Goodnight), Jamie Laird (Mister Bryce / Father). Other parts played by members of the cast.

Based on the adventures of Steed and Tara King in the TV comic strips, this full-cast audio drama is brought to life with eerily engrossing sound design and a brand new cinematic score. Starring Julian Wadham, Emily Woodward and Christopher Benjamin. Contains four adventures; 3.1 It’s a Wild, Wild, Wild, Wild West by John Dorney Steed is quick on the draw, Tara gallops away. After reports suggest a series of robberies in the New Forest were committed by cowboys, Mother sends the Avengers into action.The trail leads to the Western style ranch known as The Lazy J. But will it be high noon for Steed and King? 3.2 Under the Weather by Phil Mulryne. Steed is put on ice, Tara is blown away.Steed, Tara and Mother visit an air show to see a demonstration of a new aircraft. But the plane is stolen from under their noses... and seemingly... by a storm! Something strange is in the air. And it needs the Avengers to sort it out. 3.3 Spycraft by Robert Khan and Tom Salinsky. Steed meets his equal, Tara gets the cream. When a visiting dignitary is kidnapped on British soil, Steed and King have to leap into action. But with questions of diplomatic immunity getting in the way, they may need help from an unusual pair. 3.4 ...Now You Don’t by John Dorney. Steed finds things get tricky, Tara takes the stage. A strange gift leads to Steed and Tara King spending a night in the theatre. But who brought them here? And why? An old enemy of the Avengers is on the scene. And he will stop at nothing to get his revenge! Starring Julian Wadham, Emily Woodward and Christopher Benjamin, this full-cast audio drama is brought to life with eerily engrossing sound design and a brand new cinematic music score. CAST: Julian Wadham (John Steed), Emily Woodward (Miss Tara King), Christopher Benjamin (Mother), Hywel Morgan (Cody/ Jim), Daniel Easton (Billy / Sam), Karina Fernandez (Jessie), Leighton Pugh (Flight Lieutenant Tudor / Volkov), James Joyce (Flying Office Halliwell / Melnyk), David Sibley (Doctor Weatherby), Edward Dede (Miles Yeboah), Natalie Simpson (Ruby Sesay), Jude Owusu (Charlie Okonjo / Kasim), Ewart James Walters (General Babatunde), Nicholas Asbury (Margrave the Magnificent / Sir Godfrey Thorpe), Maggie Service (Circe /Mina). Other parts played by members of the cast.

The Syndicate Masterplan (Part 2). This run of adventures started with Doctor Who - The Fourth Doctor Adventures: Series 8A. This set contains: Time's Assassin by Guy Adams, Fever Island by Jonathan Barnes and The Perfect Prisoners Parts 1 & 2 by John Dorney.

From the worlds of Doctor Who - Lady Christina. Containing four stories: It Takes a Thief by John Dorney.The French Riviera has always provided rich pickings for the aristocratic cat-burglar. Lady Christina is enjoying the high life while adding to her collection. But when suspicion falls on her after a robbery-turned-murder, Christina decides to catch the culprit herself. 2. Skin Deep by James Goss. Sylvia Noble always knew she deserved better. So, when a chance encounter with aristocracy propels her out of Chiswick and into high society, she’s delighted. But the beautiful people have their own agenda – and Christina is surprised when those plans involve her father. 3. Portrait of a Lady by Tim Dawson. When her plot to steal a priceless painting runs into trouble, Christina crashes into an undercover UNIT operation – and Sam Bishop. Soon, her Number 200 bus is racing from Europe to South America and into the depths of the Pacific, chasing a mysterious and unstoppable foe. 4. Death on the Mile by Donald McLeary. Lady Christina has been offered a job: the heist of a lifetime. She simply has to break into Edinburgh Castle. At the same time, UNIT are investigating alien activity at the Military Tattoo. And where there’s treasure and treachery, there are also Slitheen. Big Finish have been producing Doctor Who audios since 1999, starring Tom Baker, Peter Davison, Colin Baker, Sylvester McCoy, Paul McGann, David Tennant and John Hurt. Cat burglar and adventurer Lady Christina - played by former EastEnders star Michelle Ryan - first appeared opposite David Tennant's Doctor in Planet of the Dead, one of his final TV stories. Other guest stars include Jacqueline King as Sylvia Noble (Donna Noble's mum from some of the David Tennant stories) and Warren Brown (Strike Back, Luther, Hollyoaks) reprising his role of Sam Bishop from Big Finish's UNIT -The New Series adventures. CAST: Michelle Ryan (Lady Christina de Souza), Jacqueline King (Sylvia Noble), Warren Brown (Sam Bishop), Matt Barber (Ivo Fraser Cannon), Cristina Barreiro (Flavia Santos), Holly Jackson Walters (Carla / Maud Hunter), William Gaminara (Lord Alfred de Souza), Suzy Bloom (Tamarind / Amber), Rebecca Yeo (Malia), Gareth Corke (Leon Clancy / Policeman / Taxi driver), Emily Carewe (Lucy Clancy / Perfection), Matthew Brenher (Mr Kamen / Conceirge), Christopher Ryan (Grunt / Handley), Jenny Lee (The Keeper), Tracy Wiles (Jacqui McGee), Melissa Collier (Elaine / Janice), Richard Hansell (Robin) Ewan Bailey (Sir Edward Scott Cameron / Biggs).

The Eighth Doctor battles for survival in the early stages of the Time War in a special run of prequels to Big Finish's acclaimed Doctor Who: The War Doctor series.

A brand new boxset of four adventures, featuring monsters from the new series of Doctor Who!

Following the events of the first three series of Doctor Who - Doom Coalition, the Eighth Doctor (Paul McCann) continues to battle the plans of a collection of epic Gallifreyan villains, including the insane Eleven, a Time Lord with all his past regenerations living in his head.

A special solo adventure for Sylvester McCoy as the Seventh Doctor, in the last of three stories with a recurring villain... The Doctor is drawn into a desperate battle with his arch-enemy - squared!

A special release for Big Finish's Doctor Who range, containing four single-episode stories!

The Doctor and Mel encounter the Doctor's old foes the Sontarans...

Four new adventures featuring classic Doctors encountering monsters from the new series of Doctor Who! 5.1 The Krillitane Feint by John Dorney. The TARDIS brings the Doctor, Jamie and Zoe to a planet where a secure research base is conducting disturbing experiments. A group of captive Krillitane are test subjects for a military power, keen to understand the species' unique abilities. But who are the real monsters here? 5.2 The Dying Breed by Tim Foley. When the Doctor, Leela and K9 land on the Lupari homeworld tracking a temporal anomaly, they find a kingdom in disarray. The Great Lord Garzan's son has been attacked, and strange beasts roam the frozen landscape. Whilst Leela spars with the new heir, the Doctor and K9 must work out how all these strange events are connected. Little do they know that their discoveries will shake the Lupari to their core... 5.3 The Krillitane Relic by John Dorney. The TARDIS brings the Doctor and Ray to a space station cryogenic facility, where interplanetary VIPs are stored pending medical cures. There is a familiar face here too - someone the Doctor remembers, but who does not remember him... 5.4 Five Hundred Ways to Leave Your Lover by Tim Foley. Chris is on a date. But it isn't working out. Perhaps he'll end it over dinner. Or on a cruise. Or in a lunar spa. But who are these figures in red? And why are they so invested in his relationship? All of reality might be at stake, and the Monks will pursue Chris wherever he goes - but as long as he manages to break up with his boyfriend, the Doctor, everything might be saved... CAST: Tom Baker (The Doctor), Sylvester McCoy (The Doctor), Paul McGann (The Doctor), Michael Troughton (The Doctor), Sara Griffiths (Ray), Frazer Hines (Jamie McCrimmon), Louise Jameson (Leela), Wendy Padbury (Zoe Heriot), Timothy Bentinck (The Monks), David Carlyle (Colonel Mant), Charlie Condou (Chris), Jason Forbes (Darnley / Soldier 2), Amber Grappy (Helier / Mutation / Soldier 3), Peter Guiness (Garzan), Sheila Hancock (Catherine Peacock / Captain), Andrew Hayden-Smith (Mark), Kiziana Jean-Louis (Green / Soldier / Computer), Selina Jones (Kira), John Leeson (K9), Miriam Margolyes (Soothsayer), Colin McFarlane (John Sloan), George Naylor (Heppet / Lupari Guards / Krillitane), Gil Sidaway (Krillitane). Other parts played by members of the cast.

Jenny was created from the Doctor’s template – so it’s no wonder she finds herself in trouble. A lot. Exploring the universe with Noah, a mystery boy from nowhere, they have escaped the mercenary hunting them – but wrecked the timelines in the process. Now Jenny must find a way to save herself, her friend, and – if they can get around to it – time itself…