C. E. Webber
Encyclopedia
Cecil Edwin Webber was a British
television
writer and playwright
. He is best remembered for his contribution to the creation of the famous science-fiction series Doctor Who
while working as a staff writer for the BBC
in the early 1960s. Although none of his scripts was eventually used in the programme — Head of Serials Donald Wilson felt he was not capable of 'writing down' to the level required — he participated in many crucial early development meetings, and co-wrote the first format document for the series with Wilson and Sydney Newman
. His draft script for the proposed first ever episode formed the basis of the broadcast first episode eventually written by Anthony Coburn
. Webber received a co-writer's credit on internal BBC documentation for the episode, although not on screen.
His published stage plays included Be Good, Sweet Maid (1957), Out of the Frying Pan (1960) and The Mortal Bard (1964).
Other television shows he wrote or created for the BBC included the 1961 action adventure serial Hurricane, the 1962 William
children's comedy starring Dennis Waterman
, based on the books by Richmal Crompton
, and in 1964 episodes of the Thorndyke detective series.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
writer and playwright
Playwright
A playwright, also called a dramatist, is a person who writes plays.The term is not a variant spelling of "playwrite", but something quite distinct: the word wright is an archaic English term for a craftsman or builder...
. He is best remembered for his contribution to the creation of the famous science-fiction series Doctor Who
Doctor Who
Doctor Who is a British science fiction television programme produced by the BBC. The programme depicts the adventures of a time-travelling humanoid alien known as the Doctor who explores the universe in a sentient time machine called the TARDIS that flies through time and space, whose exterior...
while working as a staff writer for the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
in the early 1960s. Although none of his scripts was eventually used in the programme — Head of Serials Donald Wilson felt he was not capable of 'writing down' to the level required — he participated in many crucial early development meetings, and co-wrote the first format document for the series with Wilson and Sydney Newman
Sydney Newman
Sydney Cecil Newman, OC was a Canadian film and television producer, who played a pioneering role in British television drama from the late 1950s to the late 1960s...
. His draft script for the proposed first ever episode formed the basis of the broadcast first episode eventually written by Anthony Coburn
Anthony Coburn
Anthony Coburn was an Australian television writer and producer, who spent much of his professional career living and working in the United Kingdom. He moved to the UK in the 1950s, where he joined the staff of BBC Television...
. Webber received a co-writer's credit on internal BBC documentation for the episode, although not on screen.
His published stage plays included Be Good, Sweet Maid (1957), Out of the Frying Pan (1960) and The Mortal Bard (1964).
Other television shows he wrote or created for the BBC included the 1961 action adventure serial Hurricane, the 1962 William
Just William
Just William is the first book of children's short stories about the young school boy William Brown, written by Richmal Crompton, and published in 1922. The book was the first in the series of William Brown books which was the basis for numerous television series, films and radio adaptations...
children's comedy starring Dennis Waterman
Dennis Waterman
Dennis Waterman is a British actor and singer, best known for his tough-guy roles in television series including The Sweeney, Minder and New Tricks.-Early life:...
, based on the books by Richmal Crompton
Richmal Crompton
Richmal Crompton Lamburn was a British writer, most famous for her Just William humorous short stories and books.-Life:...
, and in 1964 episodes of the Thorndyke detective series.