The Plank and Belleville Rendez-vous

Film Notes

‘The Plank’ UK (1967) Written and Directed by Eric Sykes, 55 min A classic, short comedy film which has a huge and impressive cast of well known stars including Eric Sykes, Tommy Cooper, Jimmy Edwards, Roy Castle, Graham Stark, Stratford Johns, Hattie Jaques, Jim Dale, Jimmy Tarbuck, Kenny Lynch and many more - almost a complete catalogue of comedy actors and actresses of the period. This is a classic performance with Eric Sykes and Tommy Cooper at their best, and they are well supported by all the other cast members, especially Jimmy Edwards as the Policeman and Roy castle as the man who causes a stink wherever he goes after falling into the back of a bin wagon, giving bin man Kenny Lynch a fright as he emerges from the rubbish - plus many more comic situations, too many to mention here. The ‘real’ plank was sold at auction in 2011 for £1050!

‘Belleville Rendez-vous’ France (2003) Director Sylvain Chomet, 80 min A young orphan boy, Champion, loves to watch TV, especially broadcasts by a red-hot jazz singing trio, The Triplets of Belleville, who belt out their toe-tapping numbers in the irresistible style of Django Reinhardt and the Hot Club de France. Once grown up, Champion is a Tour de France racer but gets kidnapped en route by sinister mafia types; his grandmother and his fat, lazy dog Bruno come to Champion's rescue enlisting the help of the Triplets themselves, now elderly ladies. Full of the most amazing visual humour, the film is a delight for both children and adults.