Some strange happenings down in Tinseltown..... plus some aliens have visited....

You know, doing this review, I have only now just realised the complete joke surrounding this story.... I won't spoil it, but, when you get it, it'll either be immediately obvious or you'll get it a while after listening to it and then, like myself, hitting yourself for not getting it earlier. But for now, ladies and gentlemen, let's go on a trip back to the early eras of cinema, a time when the newest technology was allowing sound in a picture, a time when across the pond, a young director-to-be was beginning his journey to master of suspense, and an era when anyone could be a star. 1920's Hollywood! HERE WE COME!!!

DOCTOR WHO FOURTH DOCTOR ADVENTURES REVIEW

6.03: THE SILENT SCREAM

By Jack Ryan

BEWARE: THIS POST CONTAINS SPOILERS. READ AT YOUR OWN RISK

Show-business. There's no business like it. No business I know. And so does the Doctor, taking Romana and K-9 on a trip to the heyday of Hollywood in the 1920's. The lights are bright, the cameras are rolling, the action is divine and the stars are utterly glamorous. Even more so with the creation of the new cinematic craze, the Talkies. The only problem; some of Hollywood's most glamorous talent are losing their voices, and acting legend Loretta Waldorf thinks she's next. As the Doctor, Romana and K-9 investigate, they soon come across a huge conspiracy happening behind the scenes of Tinseltown. And they are soon dragged straight into it, when one of the travellers loses their voice...

There are a good number of writers for all this tie-in media I indulge myself in that I'm more than certain, if I see their name on it, I'm automatically sure it will be brilliant. Justin Richards, Matt Fitton, Andrew Smith, John Dorney, Scott Handcock, and now, thanks to his stellar work on the Torchwood range, James Goss is on this list of writing legends. And this release does nothing to detract him from it in anyway. In the space of an hour, Goss has created, with the assistance of director and audio supremo Nicholas Briggs, what can only be described as an example of what would happen if Hitchcock ever did sci-fi. Mystery, intrigue, glamorous gals, and a huge conspiracy leading to beings from another world... What's not to like?

Well, one thing that's certainly be able to like is the stellar cast list. Alongside Baker, Ward and Leeson, giving brilliant performances as is their norm, we are joined by Counter Measures' and Never Say Never Again's Pamela Salem, along with regular Big Finish-ers John Banks and Jane Slavin, plus The Last Kingdom's Alec Newman and The Brittas Empire's Andrée Bernard, and all of them deliver every line with an amazing air of authenticity, both being natural with their dialogue and mastering the classic Hollywood American accent; slightly stereotypical, but recognisable and not too forced. A good accent is not easy to do and I am safe to say the supporting cast have managed to make it the easiest thing ever.

Jamie Robertson is back once again for music duties and, continuing the early Hitchcock theme, gives us a good blend of auld Hollywood jazz and tense thriller compositions, with a bit of classical thrown in to emphasise the scenes that need to be. Along with Russell McGee's pinpoint perfect sound design, in the space of an hour, we got a good story with a great cast and some stunning sound. And I can safely say, this is not one to miss...

VERDICT: 10/10 A stellar swinging story from the mind behind BF's best thrillers. ;D

Doctor Who: The Fourth Doctor Adventures: The Silent Scream is available to purchase on CD or download from the Big Finish website here, or from all good stockists.

Covers (C) Anthony Lamb