The Plank (1967)

Classic short British comedy, full of stars, about two workmen delivering planks to a building site. This is done with music and a sort of "wordless dialogue" which consists of a few ... See full summary »

Director:

Eric Sykes

Writer:

Eric Sykes

Stars:

Tommy Cooper, Eric Sykes, Jimmy Edwards

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Tommy Cooper	...	Larger Workman
Eric Sykes	...	Smaller Workman
Jimmy Edwards	...	Policeman
Roy Castle	...	Delivery Man with boxes
Graham Stark	...	Amorous Van Driver
Stratford Johns	...	Station Sergeant
Jim Dale	...	House Painter
Jimmy Tarbuck	...	Barman
Hattie Jacques	...	Woman with Rose
Rex Garner	...	Tourist
Libby Morris	...	Tourist
John Junkin	...	One Eyed Truck Driver
Joan Young	...	Woman in Bus Queue with fur wrap
Barney Gilbraith	...	Paint-covered House Owner
Clovissa Newcombe	...	Girl in Van

Storyline

Classic short British comedy, full of stars, about two workmen delivering planks to a building site. This is done with music and a sort of "wordless dialogue" which consists of a few mumbled sounds to convey the appropriate emotion.

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Plot Keywords:

independent film

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Taglines:

You'll splinter your sides laughing at this classic of all comedies

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Genres:

Comedy

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

1967 (UK)

Also Known As:

Das Brett

Filming Locations:

Barnes Pond, Barnes, London, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Associated London Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

55 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Did You Know?

Trivia

Jimmy Tarbuck's fee was four bottles of whiskey.

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Crazy Credits

The opening credits of the film begin with a shot of the plank itself, with the caption "Starring The Plank". This leads on to a succession of credits, some of which try to squeeze into the frame, and others which are sung by the cast. The final entry is a credit, also spoken by Eric Sykes, which reads: "Oh! ... And The Cat!"

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Connections

Remade as The Plank (1979)

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Soundtracks

"Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush"
(uncredited)
Traditional
Arranged by Brian Fahey

User Reviews

This is a Landmark "Best of British" feel-good mini-film!

I just happened to tape "The Plank" when it was last shown on British terrestrial television (BBC2 5/12/95) and I've held onto this treasure ever since! My family and I love it to bits.We are however die-hard British 50s/60s/and 70/s-silent film fans, e.g. Futtock's End/A Home of Your Own/Rhubarb Rhubarb etc.etc. One of the main appeals of it is that you don't have to listen to it-it's very easy to watch if you've got young kids doing their own thing in the room with you.(they'll look up every now and then and laugh at certain bits). There is now available a DVD of "The Plank" Uncut which comes out at 51 Min's allegedly; this must go some way to outlining it's obvious popularity. I definitely do not prefer the 70's T.V. remake of this as it is so obviously a dumbed down/going through the motions version.The original is the dog's ........! There is however an interesting angle about the re-make and that is several of the original locations have been re-visited so I habitually acknowledge them all each time I view the re-make(Is that sad or good?) Just had to write an uplifting review as the first review doesn't do this justice and is a tad unfair to me.