robertshingo Reviews

The Plank (1979 TV Movie)

A Good Film but not as good as the original

[8/10 · 4 September 2017]

I watched the 1967 version of The Plank and then later on I watched the 1979 version of the Plank. For some reason some of the funny scenes from the 1967 version have been cut out of the 1979 version to make it a half an hour programme instead of the original's 50 minutes. I like the idea of having lots of well known comedy faces in it such as Brian Murphy, Reg Varney, Charles Hawtrey, Harry H Corbett and Joanna Lumley, but the comedic effect is not as good as it was in the original 1967 version. Shame that Eric Sykes replaced Tommy Cooper with Arthur Lowe, but Lowe still does a good job. I also feel that it is a bit strained in a way as there are some silly moments, where for example, the workmen (Eric Sykes and Arthur Lowe) leave their car in the way of the exit, but it is a wide exit with tons of room to get through! Same happens a few minutes later when Brian Murphy's truck won't start. There is plenty of room to pass the truck but the drivers of the cars keep blowing their horns! OVERALL VERDICT: A good, entertaining film, not as good as the original, as some of the best moments (such as the UDC wet cement section, or the police station ending) are not in. Not as good as the original but still worth a watch.

Carry on Girls (1973)

A Underrated Great Film

[10/10 · 20 August 2017]

Sidney James triumphs in the part of a lusty town councillor in the dull seaside town of Fircombe. Barbara Windsor shows us her assets, Bernard Bresslaw is in drag (again), Kenneth Connor excels in his role of the bumbling Mayor and Jack Douglas twitches his way through the entire film. What's not to like? The lazy, dowdy Mayor's wife is Patsy Rowlands's best part in the series and June Whitfield's performance is sublime.

Definitely a one to watch.