The Plank (1979 film)

The Plank is a 30-minute, British slapstick comedy film for television, from 1979 which was written and directed by Eric Sykes. This version, which is a remake of the earlier 1967 film, was produced by Thames Television and broadcast on the ITV network. Like the original, it has an all-star cast of British comedians and other celebrities; although only Sykes, Jimmy Edwards and Kenny Lynch reprise their previous roles.

Although not literally a silent film, it has little spoken dialogue. Instead the film is punctuated by grunts, other vocal noises and sound effects.

Outline

When two builders find that a floorboard is missing, they buy a replacement floorboard and return with it through the streets, causing unexpected chaos.

This was the third version of The Plank; the basic idea had originated in an episode called "Sykes and a Plank", which Eric Sykes had written for his BBC television comedy series, Sykes and A... in 1964. This 1979 television version won the prize at the 1980 Festival Rose d'Or, held in Montreux, Switzerland.

Cast

See also

• Other Eric Sykes short silent films in similar style to The Plank: Rhubarb (1969), Rhubarb Rhubarb (1980, a TV remake of Rhubarb), and other TV specials for Thames TV such as It's Your Move (1982), Mr. H Is Late (1988) and The Big Freeze (1993).

External links

• Comedy Guide - The Plank at BBC Online
• The Plank at the British Comedy Guide
• The Plank at the Internet Movie Database