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MovieMail's Review
A roll-call of British comedy talent stars in these prize-winning 'Sykes silents' in which his comic inventiveness is to the fore. He's the English equivalent to Jacques Tati reckons Julian Upton.
These much-loved, Montreux prize-festooned comedies, all supervised by Eric Sykes for Thames TV between 1979 and 1988, are fascinating not just as a staggering roll call of guest stars - an A-Z of British comedy talent, from Richard Briers to Reg Varney - but also as very English counterpoints to the films of Jacques Tati.
Silent except for music, sound effects and, in the case of Rhubarb Rhubarb, the word “Rhubarb” as the only spoken dialogue, they brim with the kind of authority figures (incompetent police chiefs, vicars) and stock tradesmen (bungling house movers, builders) that English comedy has relied on from time immemorial.
Sykes himself is the English Tati, from his physical similarity - lanky, gangling gait, bemused countenance, well-meaning gestures - to the comic inventiveness he displays behind and on screen. But his influences go back much further, not only to his own music hall beginnings, but to the great era of American silent comedy.
Also in the collection is the feature length comedy thriller, If You Go Down in the Woods Today, rarely seen since its 1981 TV broadcast.
A fantastic compilation from one of Britain's best loved comedians, Eric Sykes, containing The Plank (1979), If You Go Down In The Woods Today (1981), Rhubarb, Rhubarb (1980), Mr H Is Late (1988) and It's Your Move (1982).
If You Go Down In The Woods Today: Eric Sykes plays a scoutmaster who takes eight scouts camping in peaceful Tangle Woods. When he and one of the cubs become lost, their hilarious adventures are monitored by the Police, Army, Navy, Air Force, MI5 and a bunch of crooks, almost turning Tangle Woods into Armageddon.
Rhubarb, Rhubarb: 'Sykes silent' in which a golf-playing police inspector meets his match in the local vicar. In a no holes barred game of golf, the outcome is dependent on divine intervention.
The Plank: Among an extraordinary cast of famous faces, Eric Sykes and Arthur Lowe play two builders who find they're missing a floorboard. As they go across town and back with a new one, they cause mayhem. The Plank has no dialogue but relies on sound effects and visual gags for its comic impact. A Montreux Award-winner.
Mr H Is Late: Following the brilliant comic tradition of his other Montreux Comedy prize-winners, Eric Sykes' silent film makes gestures speak louder than words. When a coffin on the 26th floor has to be delivered to the church, there's total chaos - and riotous comedy with over a dozen famous faces caught up in the confusion.
It's Your Move: Eric Sykes' silent piece stars an impressive array of British comic talent, in a story of a young couple moving house, and the hilarious mayhem which ensues when the removal men take over. Another Montreux Award-winner.
Co-stars and cameos include Richard Briers, Sylvia Sims, Jimmy Edwards, Rula Lenska, Joanna Lumley, Roy Kinnear, Henry Cooper, Lionel Blair, Spike Milligan and many more.
"Eric Sykes" -
Andrew Charters on 21st August 2010
Sorry this isn't a review, but wanted to say that the man is a genius. The scene in Son of Rambow when he is kidnapped in the old people's home is one of my favorites.... more >
Sorry this isn't a review, but wanted to say that the man is a genius. The scene in Son of Rambow when he is kidnapped in the old people's home is one of my favorites. I was on the floor in the Sheffield Showroom.
Andrew < less
