Love this - not least because it was almost all filmed in my home borough of Barnes in London. We were all late for Primary school the day we spotted the film crew - would have been even later if they hadn't gently chased us away. Place has changed at lot since. Jimmy Edwards (the Policeman) also played Euphonium in the local Watneys Silver Band who'd give live summer concerts on the common. You've also got Eric Sykes, Tommy Cooper, Roy Castle, Kenny Lynch, Jimmy Tarbuck and Jim Dale just in this clip - see the whole thing. NB - the pub was a real-life one-room 'boozer' on the corner of Cleveland Road, the Police station was the old Library around the corner in Ellison Road. Tell you what, I'll shut up now.
@Martin Baldwin-Edwards It was released in 1967 (shamefully, had to look that up), so I'm guessing my memories of filming are from 1966. Always hazy on actual dates/years (I was around 8) but do remember we were in shirtsleeves, so wasn't winter.
Genius Eric Sykes it proves actions speak louder than words in comedy . Some of these so called comedians today take half an hour to tell a joke. This sketch is non stop comedy brilliant!
So did some then. Depends on the particular type of comedy, in this case slapstick, the comedian's style (audiences have expectations of how a specific comic should perform so they have to stay in that character even if they want to stretch themselves).
As they say ---- "Those were the DAYS". One of the BEST. I still remember ORIGINAL. Just great, each time I see it ,makes me laugh till the eyes give up tears. They were the best comedians, especially Tommy Cooper and the saying goes "JUST LIKE THAT".
I just happened to come across this gem. It is brilliant intelligent well thought out comedy from the country that never fails to deliver. I have loved British comedy since I was a young boy. This stands the test of time and still delivers the laugh. A New Yorker who really needs good fun in these trying times. Thanks much indeed!
@@deboraharmstrong7081 You are most wonderfully welcome. Please oh Please to all your country: please keep the world laughing! We need you more than ever! Love!
Thank you for your kind reply. I think our old comedy films are going to be helping all lot of very sad people in this Covid ridden world today. Take care, Deb x
@@simonl4523 Wish they were just funny. Like bulls in China shops: might raise a chuckle in the onlooker when they enter shop - but not for owner of the shop and onlooker has some empathy for owner. Aaagh! Now you've got me thinking politics when I fancied a laugh. I'd have been 12 if it came out in 1967
This is old style comedy that was and is incredibly funny. They don't really make it like this anymore sadly. The remarkable thing about these old comedy scenes is that they still have the power to make one laugh to the point of being hysterical. Fantastic.
Totally agree! Comedy is gone under the lunatic woke brigade - perhaps we should make a comedy about the woke! Thank God we've got these to look back on. I show this type of comedy to my wife, who is Bulgarian and she finds them hysterically funny. The good old days and it brings back memories for me too, all those cars and lorries, the clothing, houses road signs, police uniform (proper policing in those days).. Brilliant.
I was a child when I saw "Das Brett" (in german) first. Now I'm retired and I found it in RU-vid. The Plank is an Evergreen up for the next 100, 200......years. Thanks for uploading 🤣🤣🤣
Little did we know it at the time but all that this was and represented and seemed so permanent would soon be gone. So nice to see the familiar, friendly old faces and England as it was. I must say it made me feel a little nostalgic.
@@thinkof100 In its day, the 50s and 60s, this slap stick humour was funny. Today it is no longer, except amongst those who's memories are rekindled. It's not a matter of intelligence so insulting the taste of others is a bit arrogant, wouldn't you agree.
@@aeroplod No, I would not agree. If you think this is funny then there is something wrong with you. Taste or memories are irrelevant. You might smile looking back but it is not funny. Your a bit simple if you think it is.
In truth this was a throwback to the slapstick days which hadn't been seen in roughly 30 years even back when this was made. So it's kind of a "new fashioned slapstick comedy" .
I remember running this in a cinema one time. The accompanying notes in the can said 'on dialogue', which I took to mean no audio. So I didn't switch the amps on, until someone came to complain there was no sound. "it's silent" I said, "look". I turned on the amps and, of course, there was sound. Just no dialogue. Doh!
Britain great then? Strikes, economy tanked with £50 spending limit abroad, taxes higher than income for many, utterly useless management, bolshy unions were utterly sexist (see Maid in Dagenham about Ford upholstery workers' strike and conflict with the union), all set for our industry to collapse against German and Japanese quality and efficiency, very corrupt police, viscous racism, and, in the background, the bomb, cold war, Vietnam. As children, we were mostly blissfully unaware and pop music was great but our parents had to cope with it
Naughty constable character laughing at the poor old gent, why not help him cross the road. Oh I felt so bad for the poor chap who ended in the bin van.
Ah remember those days of metal refuse bins? When the bin man would come up your drive, pick up and bring back the bin after emptying. So different nowadays.
I've been looking for this video for a very long time! I remember this one when I was very young and watched the TV broadcast with my family. Beautiful and so funny! Thank you so much! ❤
I have got this movie DVD of Tommy Cooper and Eric Sykes in The Plank I am dedicating this movie DVD to my old school friends who are both sisters as I hope to see them both again very soon to Chris and Hester from Billyxxx
Visiting the ads.... Because you can't skip it.....even the pawn shops are having a black Friday ..... The end is certainly near my friends. Need a good laugh.
i believe that was actor John Junkin as the truck driver toward the end,who had once appeared with the Beatles in a Hard Days Night. sure looked like him. Also this stuff is very reminiscent of Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy, Harold Lloyd, and Buster Keaton.
