The Plank (1967 film)
The Plank is a 1967 British slapstick comedy film made by Associated London Films. It follows the misadventures of two builders who require a floorboard. It was written and directed by Eric Sykes, and produced by Jon Penington. The story was based on an episode of Eric Sykes' BBC comedy series Sykes and a... from 1964, called "Sykes and A Plank".
| The Plank | |
|---|---|
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| Directed by | Eric Sykes |
| Produced by | Jon Penington Beryl Vertue (executive) |
| Written by | Eric Sykes |
| Starring | Eric Sykes Tommy Cooper Jimmy Edwards |
| Music by | Brian Fahey |
| Cinematography | Arthur Wooster |
| Edited by | John Pomeroy |
| Distributed by | J. Arthur Rank Film Distributors (UK) |
Release date |
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Running time | 45 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
Although not strictly a silent film, it is unusual in having little dialogue; instead, the film is punctuated by grunts, other vocal noises and sound effects.
The cast features many of the top comedians and comic actors of the time.[1]
Plot
After one of the characters uses the last floorboard for heating, the two hapless carpenters have to buy a replacement. They return to the house with the plank on top of a Morris Eight, but the journey is fraught with unexpected difficulties.
The film is a series of "plank jokes" elaborating on the "man with a plank" slapstick routine seen in vaudeville and silent films, and adding new ones. For instance, at one point the plank is tied to the top of the car and projects backward into the open back of a large van. A man (played by Roy Castle) enters the back of the van and sits down. The van drives away, leaving him suspended in mid-air sitting on the end of the plank.
Production
Whilst a single plank was depicted throughout the film, two planks were actually used for filming: a thin plank for scenes where actors carry the plank and a thicker plank for scenes where it is being transported on the Morris Eight and for scenes where a thicker stronger plank was required.
Cast
- Eric Sykes as the Smaller Workman
- Tommy Cooper as the Larger Workman
- Jimmy Edwards as Policeman
- Roy Castle as the Delivery Man
- Jimmy Tarbuck as the Barman
- Anna Carteret as the 'It's Paint' woman
- John Junkin as the Van Driver with the Eye Patch
- Bill Oddie as the Window Cleaner
- Stratford Johns as the Station Sergeant
- Graham Stark as the Amorous Van Driver
- Jim Dale as the House Painter
- Hattie Jacques as the Woman with the Rose
- Rex Garner as the Tourist
- Libby Morris as the Tourist's wife
- Ronnie Brody as the Nude Model Carrier
- Johnny Speight the Pipe Smoker in Bus Queue
- Thomas Gallagher as the Man with beer
- Howard Douglas as the Old Man
- Kenny Lynch as the Dustbin Lorry Driver
- Joan Young as the Woman in Bus Queue with fur coat
- Barney Gilbraith as the Paint-covered House Owner
- Clovissa Newcombe as the Girl in the Van
- Dermot Kelly as the Milkman
See also
- The Plank (1979 film) — a television remake of this film
- Other Eric Sykes short films in a similar style to The Plank:
- Rhubarb (1969)
- Rhubarb Rhubarb (1980, a television remake of Rhubarb)
- It's Your Move (1982)
- Mr. H Is Late (1988)
- The Big Freeze (1993)
References
- "The Plank (1967)". britmovie.co.uk
- Wilkin, Chris (1 December 2011). "Wooden film star goes under the hammer in Colchester". Daily Gazette. Retrieved 16 December 2011.
- "Plank of wood goes under hammer ... for £1,050". Daily Gazette. 5 December 2011. Retrieved 16 December 2011.
- "Plank of wood that became a film star is sold for £1k". Daily Gazette. 8 December 2011. Retrieved 16 December 2011.