British Comedy Guide
The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy. Arthur Dent (Simon Jones)
The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy

The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy

  • TV sitcom
  • BBC Two
  • 1981
  • 6 episodes (1 series)

Television adaptation of the highly successful sci-fi radio sitcom and comic novel, created by Douglas Adams. Also features Simon Jones, David Dixon, Sandra Dickinson, Mark Wing-Davey, David Learner and more.

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Episode menu

Series 1, Episode 3 - Fit The Third

The crew of the Heart of Gold come across the mythical world of Magrathea. Ford isn't convinced but a run-in with an ancient security system tells him otherwise. Upon landing, Ford, Zaphod and Trillian explore the bowels of the planet and Arthur meets Slartibartfast, an ancient Magrathean who divulges some unknown facts about the Earth...

Further details

Zaphod explains that he stole the Heart of Gold so that he could fly to the legendary planet of Magrathea, which is noted for being the planet that made a vast fortune by making other planets.

Ford believes that Magrathea does not exist, but is soon proved wrong when not only do they discover the planet, but they are attacked by two nuclear missiles. Luckily, Arthur saves everyone using the Infinite Improbability Drive, resulting in the missiles turning into a bowl of petunias and a very surprised-looking sperm whale. Trillian also discovers that her white mice have escaped.

When they land on the planet, Ford, Zaphod and Trillian go down a tunnel and are attacked. Arthur meanwhile is left with Marvin the Paranoid Android on the surface of the planet, where they meet a native, Slartibartfast. Arthur and Slartibartfast travel deep inside the planet, where Arthur makes a disturbing discovery: Earth was built by Magrathea in order to discover something called "The Ultimate Question".

Broadcast details

Date
Monday 19th January 1981
Time
9pm
Channel
BBC Two
Length
30 minutes

Cast & crew

Cast
Simon Jones Arthur Dent
David Dixon Ford Prefect
Sandra Dickinson Trillian
Mark Wing-Davey Zaphod Beeblebrox
David Learner Marvin
Stephen Moore Marvin (Voice)
Peter Jones The Book (Voice)
Guest cast
Richard Vernon Slartibartfast
David Tate Eddie (Computer on the Heart of Gold) (Voice)
Stephen Moore Whale (Voice)
Writing team
Douglas Adams Writer
Production team
Alan J. W. Bell Director
Alan J. W. Bell Producer
John Lloyd Associate Producer
Ian Williams Editor
Glenn Hyde Editor
Andrew Howe-Davies Production Designer
Dee Robson Costume Designer
Bernie Leadon Composer
Paddy Kingsland Composer

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