The Plank (1967 film)
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It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with The Plank (1979 film) . (Discuss) Proposed since December 2010. |
| The Plank | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Eric Sykes |
| Produced by | Jon Penington Beryl Vertue (executive) |
| Written by | Eric Sykes |
| Starring | Eric Sykes Tommy Cooper |
| Music by | Brian Fahey |
| Release date(s) | 1967 |
| Running time | 45 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
The Plank is a popular 1967 British slapstick comedy short 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'.
Although not technically a silent film it is unusual in having little spoken dialogue, instead the film is punctuated by grunts, other vocal noises and sound effects.
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[edit] Plot
Two builders buy a floorboard for a house they are building. 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 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.
[edit] Cast
- Eric Sykes
- Tommy Cooper
- Jimmy Edwards
- Roy Castle
- Jimmy Tarbuck
- Anna Carteret
- John Junkin
- Bill Oddie
- Stratford Johns
- Graham Stark
- Jim Dale
- Hattie Jacques
- Rex Garner
- Libby Morris
- Joan Young
- Barney Gilbraith
- Clovissa Newcombe
- Ronnie Brody
- Johnny Speight
- Kenny Lynch
- The plank itself was sold at auction on Monday 5 December 2011 for £1050.[1][2][3]
[edit] See also
- The Plank (1979 film) — a television remake of this film
- Other Eric Sykes short silent films in similar style to The Plank:
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- Rhubarb (1969)
- Rhubarb Rhubarb (1980, a television remake of Rhubarb)
- It's Your Move (1982)
- Mr. H Is Late (1988)
- The Big Freeze (1993)
[edit] References
- ^ Wilkin, Chris (1 December 2011). "Wooden film star goes under the hammer in Colchester". Daily Gazette. http://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/9393614.Wooden_film_star_goes_under_the_hammer_in_Colchester/. Retrieved 16 December 2011.
- ^ "Plank of wood goes under hammer ... for £1,050". Daily Gazette. 5 December 2011. http://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/local/clacton/9402729.Plank_of_wood_goes_under_hammer_____for___1_050/. Retrieved 16 December 2011.
- ^ "Plank of wood that became a film star is sold for £1k". Daily Gazette. 8 December 2011. http://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/9407160.Plank_of_wood_that_became_a_film_star_is_sold_for___1k/. Retrieved 16 December 2011.
[edit] External links
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