P'tang, Yang, Kipperbang. (TV 1982)

The plot of one of the early Channel Four films is sweet and simple. Boy likes girl at school, but is too embarrassed to confront her. Alan relates everything to a running cricket ... See full summary »

Director:

Michael Apted

Writer:

Jack Rosenthal

Stars:

John Albasiny, Abigail Cruttenden, Maurice Dee

3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
John Albasiny	...	Alan Duckworth
Abigail Cruttenden	...	Ann Lawton
Maurice Dee	...	Geoffrey Whitaker
Alison Steadman	...	Miss Land
Mark Brailsford	...	Abbo
Christopher Karallis	...	Shaz (as Chris Karallis)
Frances Ruffelle	...	Eunice
Robert Urquhart	...	Headmaster
Garry Cooper	...	Tommy
Maurice O'Connell	...	Gym Teacher
Tim Seeley	...	French Master
Richenda Carey	...	Botany Teacher
Peter Dean	...	Police Officer
Dave Atkins	...	Fish Shop Owner
Eric Richard	...	Road Worker

Storyline

The plot of one of the early Channel Four films is sweet and simple. Boy likes girl at school, but is too embarrassed to confront her. Alan relates everything to a running cricket commentary (provided superbly by John Arlott) right up to the will he, won't he finale, when he has to kiss Ann in a school play.

---

Plot Keywords:

school | school play | headmaster | year 1948 | spanking | 

---

Genres:

Comedy

---

Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 November 1982 (UK)

Also Known As:

Kipperbang

Filming Locations:

Cardinal Vaughan School, Addison Road, Kensington, London, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Channel 4 Television Corporation, Enigma TV, Goldcrest Films International

Technical Specs

Runtime:

85 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

The mother of Alan Duckworth who is heard briefly but never seen, and who is uncredited, is played by actress Maureen Lipman, wife of the film's screenplay writer Jack Rosenthal.

---

Goofs

When Alan, Ann and Geoffrey walk home from school after rehearsing for the school play, the top deck of a modern (probably 1970s vintage) double-decker bus is visible at the far end of the alley. In the same scene, opposite the side-road that leads to the alley, is a modern Warboys-design (post-1964) "no cycling" sign.

---

Quotes

[Ann and Geoffrey are saying their farewells as they are about to go home in different directions]
Geoffrey: [romantically] Mañana.
Ann: [romantically] Mañana.
Geoffrey, Ann: [together] Mañana's not soon enough for me.
[Alan looks nauseated at this display of affection]

---

Connections

Followed by Arthur's Hallowed Ground (1984)

User Reviews

Great atmosphere, iffy plot

An enjoyable movie, without a doubt, and very evocative of both its era and that very particular stage in any boy's 'rites of passage'. But I have to say that having read the very positive comments here, I was a bit disappointed. The period was captured, but the plot was desperately thin. The whole thing revolves around the most egregious bit of miscasting in the history of school plays. The idea that quack quack would ever be chosen to play not only one of only three star turns, but a philanderer, is risible. And without that, nada. The sub-plots bore no relation that I could see to the main plot - all of them could be removed in their entirety without in any way affecting the main story - which surely suggests a fundamental flaw. When all your sub-plots look like padding, you know a central idea is being stretched beyond its limits. Nevertheless, it's a benign movie with its heart in the right place, there are some fine performances, and you just get the feeling that everyone involved felt deflated at the final 'cut!' That good feeling permeates the film. And that has to count for something. A flawed really quite good movie. 7 out of 10.