Plank, The (1979)

When two floor layers find that they are one plank short of completing their task, the Larger Workman (Eric Sykes) leads the way to the car and they drive to the timber merchants. Grove Farm Park off Batchworth Lane in Northwood, Greater London identified by R. Payne.

Antony Blair captured this shot of the now 40 year old houses.

The two workmen arrive at the timber yard and park up in an less than ideal location. Sanford Capel recognises this as looking along Churchfield Road towards Sidney Road in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey.

Leafier with double yellow lines. (RL)

After the workmen's car is removed from the site to the roadway by a fork-lift driver, a truck attempts to leave the yard. Sanford advises that this is outside the Gridley Miskin timber yard on Churchfield Road. The site is still in operation as a branch of Jewson builders merchants.

A more permanent wall has replaced the fence panels. (RL)

The Truck Driver (Brian Murphy) looks for the owners of the vehicle obstructing his exit. Churchfield Road in Walton-on-Thames identified by Sanford Capel.

The houses are still there buried behind the trees. (RL)

Seeing no one nearby, the truck driver attempts to move the parked car out of the way. Facing south-west along Churchfield Road. Location found by Sanford Capel.

And nearly 40 years on. (RL)

A Woman (Diana Dors) watches from her window as the two workmen return to their car with a plank. The Crescent in Barnes SW13 identified by Alexander Jones.

Alexander provides this view of the property.

A Delivery Man (Charlie Drake) gets into the back of his van, unfortunately he sits on the overhanging plank. Outside the Gridley Miskin timber yard on Churchfield Road.

Now outside the Jewsons Builders Yard. (RL)

The workmen set off back to the building site with the delivery man clinging onto the plank. Churchfield Road in Walton-on-Thames located by Sanford Capel.

The trees have certainly grown to soften the view. (RL)

The Delivery Man holds on for his life. James Batchelor identifies this as the corner of Lower Richmond Road and Roskell Road in Putney SW15, which also features in the original 1967 version of 'The Plank'.

Looking south-west from Lower Richmond Road. SJ

A repeat of the previous capture showing the corner of Lower Richmond Road and Roskell Road . . . .

. . . to accommodate this comparison from Alex Jones who arrived at the location within hours of Simon's visit.

The camera tilts down the front of a police station. The old police station on Lonsdale Road, Barnes in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames.

Now converted to flats. SJ

A Policeman (Jimmy Edwards) appears and prepares to mount his bike. Facing The Terrace and Barnes High Street from Lonsdale Road SW13.

Some infill between the old police station and The Bull's Head. SJ

The car carrying the delivery man is spotted by the policeman. Lonsdale Road as it runs alongside the River Thames.

Same tree shapes on the river banks. SJ

The officer turns as the car passes with its screaming passenger. Lonsdale Road with Barnes Railway Bridge in the right distance.

Now. SJ

As the car turns a sharp corner, the delivery man is thrown into the back of a dustcart and the plank breaks free from the roof. Cleveland Gardens at the junction with Terrace Gardens, Barnes. The same location was used in the original.

New windows to the left. SJ

A Dustman (Kenny Lynch) picks up the plank and moves it from the roadway. Terrace Gardens in Barnes SW13.

A little off-angle thanks to parking. SJ

The dustman runs away when the delivery man appears from the rubbish in the back of the dustcart. Terrace Gardens SW13.

Looking north-east towards Barnes High Street. SJ

Nearby, a Photographer (Frankie Howerd) takes pictures of a Model (Ann Sidney). Station Road in Barnes.

Looking west from Station Road with Barnes Pond behind me. SJ

The Workmen's car runs into the Photographer as he steps back into the road. Station Road looking towards Barnes High Street in the background.

Looking north. SJ

Oblivious that the plank is no longer on the roof, the workmen drive through town... Now identified, click the date to find out.

Looking north-west on Cross Street towards St. Michael and All Angels Church, Barnes, London SW13. SJ

The Workmen pull over outside a shop.

No longer a shop. SJ

The Larger Workman notices that the plank is missing.

Looking north-east along Westfields Avenue, SW13. SJ

The Smaller Workman has trouble with the car's doors whilst the Larger Workman goes in search of the plank.

Cross Street again from the corner of Westfields Avenue. SJ

After finding his way out of the dustcart, the Delivery Man walks back to town. Terrace Gardens SW13.

The tree is obscuring some of the background. SJ

As a Painter (Bernard Cribbins) stands on the plank, a car approaches and runs over it causing paint to be spilled over the House Owner (Lionel Blair). Facing south east on Cleveland Gardens at the corner of Terrace Gardens.

The door and window have gone. SJ

The House Owner is not impressed by having his face covered in red paint. Looking towards The Terrace from Cleveland Gardens.

Rounded window now appeared. SJ

The Policeman attempts to deal with the paint incident. The corner of Cleveland Gardens and Terrace Gardens in Barnes.

Re-design but still recognisable. SJ

The Larger Workman finds the paint covered plank. Cleveland Gardens opposite Malthouse Passage.

Now. SJ

After retrieving the plank, the Larger Workman heads back to the car.

The corner of Terrace Gardens and Limes Avenue, SW13. SJ

When passers by crowd around the Larger Workman after he falls in the street, the Smaller Workman (Arthur Lowe) walks past and picks up the plank. Alexander Jones advises that this is Limes Avenue off Terrace Gardens in Barnes.

Limes Avenue now, a very similar view by Alexander.

The Smaller Workman is about to walk past with the plank, knocking the Model into the horse trough. Station Road with Essex Court in the left background.

Pulchritudinous flower bed now. SJ

The Delivery Man attempts to clean up in the horse trough. Station Road at the junction with Essex Court in SW13.

Looking across to Essex Court. SJ

As he makes his way back to the car, the Larger Workman spots the Smaller Workman.

The two workmen are reunited.

In another part of town, the Policeman watches an Old Man (Wilfrid Hyde-White) attempt to cross a busy road. Ranelagh Avenue at the corner of Bellevue Road in SW13.

The hedge has grown. SJ

Until a Young Lady helps the Old Man, the Policeman doesn't move. Looking into Bellevue Road from Ranelagh Avenue.

An added lean-to in the background. SJ

The Old Man asks for directions from the Smaller Workman. Ranelagh Avenue in Barnes.

Same corner. SJ

Now safely across the road, the Young Lady (Liza Goddard) stands by as the Larger Workman stops traffic. Archway Street in SW13, at the corner with White Hart Lane located by Alexander Jones.

Taken from a similar angle by Alexander.

Congestion is caused as the workmen cross with the plank. Alexander Jones identifies this as Ranelagh Avenue in Barnes SW13.

Alexander returned to the location.

At a pub close by, a Window Cleaner (Reg Varney) helps manoeuvre the plank, knocking a pint of beer into his bucket in the process. The Edinburgh Castle public house at the corner of Archway Street and White Hart Lane found by Alexander.

Alexander provides this comparison.

The Window Cleaner is pulled through the pub window by the owner of the beer. Outside The Edinburgh Castle in Barnes SE13 located by Alexander Jones.

A little more clutter in Alexander's view.

The two workmen listen to the argument inside the bar before moving on. Identified by Alexander Jones, The Edinburgh Castle was renamed The Tree House in 1996.

Unfortunately, Alexander's images show that the change of name didn't alter the pub's fortunes.

The Policeman continues on his beat. Glebe Road at the junction with Cardigan Road.

Only nearly the correct angle. SJ

After securing the plank to the top of the car, the workmen follow a van as they head towards the building site. Looking east on Cardigan Road in Barnes SW13, recognised by Alexander Jones.

Alexander provides this up to date shot.

The plank gets trapped in the back of the van and, from behind, the front of the truck. Facing Laurel Road on the opposite side of Glebe Road from Cardigan Road.

The tree has thickened. SJ

The van and the truck continue with the plank stuck between them as the car turns off at the next junction. Glebe Road at the junction with Cardigan Road.

With the postbox seen in 42. SJ

At another crossroads, the van pulls away leaving the truck with the plank firmly stuck in the cab bodywork. Glebe Road at the junction with Laurel Road SW13.

The truck turns off and continues on its way. Glebe Road in Barnes SW13.

Looking north up Glebe Road. SJ

As the Policeman attempts to mount his cycle, a car draws alongside. Looking towards Rectory Road on Cardigan Road SW13.

The only obvious match is at the end of the road. SJ

The car stops for the driver to ask directions from the Policeman as the truck approaches. Cardigan Road looking back towards properties on Glebe Road.

Missed this shot of Cardigan Road looking west out so, three years later, I returned to make amends. SJ

As the directions are given, the truck waits. Cardigan Road with the junction of Bellevue Road to the right. Barnes, London SW13.

I'm not very confident about this one. But that is Bellevue Road to the right. SJ

Propelled by the overhanging plank, the Constable and his bike are deposited in a nearby lake.

The truck finally arrives at its destination: the building site. Facing east on Grove Farm Park, Northwood in Greater London located by R. Payne

Antony Blair replaces R. Payne's Google view with this original of the location now.

The two workmen arrive and park close to the truck, then find the plank on top of the car. R. Payne found Grove Farm Park off Batchworth Lane in Northwood, Greater London.

Returning to where he started, Antony Blair takes another shot on the completed estate.

Entering the house, the Workmen discover that Children have taken up all of the floor boards to use as see-saws.