Plank, The (1967)

The film begins with two Workmen laying floorboards in a house under construction. Elstow Avenue on Caversham Park Village, Reading in Berkshire. Identified on the Caversham Park Village Association website.

Richard Williams captured number 13 as it looks now and points out that between the front door and the garage you can see 'a mock' Blue Plaque which says 'The Plank' filmed here 1967.

When they find that they are one plank short of completing the floor, The Larger Workman (Tommy Cooper) leads the way to the car and they drive to the timber merchants. Ashburnham Road on the corner with Willow Bank, Ham near Richmond identified by Neil Rigby.

The sapling to the right has matured in this view where Antony Blair's Nissan Mira stands in for the Morris Eight.

After getting lost in the timber yard, the larger workman directs his colleague out. IMDb states Delamere Road, Southall in Greater London.

Delamere Road indeed but the site has been redeveloped into housing. (RL)

Delamere Road now in Hayes, but Southall at the time of filming. The entrance to the timber yard is now occupied by houses.

But the other properties remain. (RL)

The Smaller Workman (Eric Sykes) gets out after parking the Morris in a less than ideal position. Delamere Road.

More orderly parking today. (RL)

The two head back into the yard as a van approaches wanting to leave. Delamere Road, Southall.

That hedge had to go to park in the front garden. Best possible shot without trespassing. (RL)

The Van Driver looks to see if he can move parked cars along so that he can get on his way. Delamere Road looking towards the crossroads with Berwick Avenue.

Unusually today, fewer cars. (RL)

As the Van Driver returns the Workmen secure their plank to the car. Delamere Road, Southall in Greater London.

No such chaos today. (RL)

A Delivery Man (Roy Castle) rests in the back of his van, unfortunately he sits on the overhanging plank.

Now just a quiet suburban road with added greenery.

The Workmen set of back to the house with the Delivery Man clinging onto the plank. Looking west on Lower Richmond Road at the junction with Erpingham Road and Sefton Street in Putney.

Replacing Clive Brett's Google. The zebra crossing has been moved to behind me and converted to a pelican. SJ

Approaching Lower Putney Common on Lower Richmond Road, London SW15.

The new replacement for the Putney Hospital, seen in 'Nuns on the Run', is hidden behind the trees. SJ

Facing east on Lower Richmond Road, Putney at the junction with Gladwyn Road and Salvin Road.

Yet another zebra crossing has been lost. Replacing Clive's Google shot. SJ

Lower Richmond Road with the entrance to Festing Road to the left which, incidentally, is the road that Mr Benn's "Festive Road" was based on.

Well, I never knew that. It turns out, and a plaque celebrates it, that the cartoonist David McKee lived at 54 Festing Road in the 70s. SJ

Lower Richmond Road at the junction with Ashlone Road and Stanbridge Road SW15.

The postbox is still there. SJ

A Policeman (Jimmy Edwards) appears from the police station. Ellison Road in Barnes SW13.

If it ever was a real police station it certainly is not now and no handlebars of either type. (RL) Replacing Clive's Google shot. SJ

As he mounts his cycle, the Officer spots the car carrying the Delivery Man. Ellison Road.

The lawn has vanished. SJ

The car passes with its screaming passenger. Cleveland Gardens SW13.

Replacing Clive's google shot but the low sun of a winter's day has its hazards. 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.

What a difference a lick of paint makes. Replacing Clive/Google's shot of 2015. SJ

A Dustman picks up the plank and moves it from the roadway. On the left, Cleveland Gardens runs towards The Terrace from the corner of Terrace Gardens.

Rebuilding to the left. SJ

The Dustmen run away when the Delivery Man appears from the rubbish in the back of their truck. Terrace Gardens SW13.

Changes here too. This and many other locations were also seen in 'The Plank' (1979) as well so I returned in 2019, after a two year challenge remained avoided. SJ

The Delivery Man looks out from the back of the dustcart. Terrace Gardens at the junction with Limes Avenue.

Only the house on the left matches as there was no dustcart. SJ

Meanwhile, a Painter (Jim Dale) appears from a side door to continue his job. Cleveland Gardens in Barnes. Location identified by Paul Wilson.

Cleveland Gardens now from Paul Wilson.

Antony Blair found that the painter's work has stood the test of time!

As the Painter stands on the plank, a car approaches and runs over it. Facing south east on Cleveland Gardens at the corner of Terrace Gardens.

The curve today. SJ

Paint is spilled over the Householder (Barney Gilbraith) who has come to his door and the Policeman intervenes in the ensuing argument. Cleveland Gardens with Terrace Gardens to the right.

Looking north-east down Terrace Gardens towards Barnes High Street. SJ

Nearby, an American Tourist (Rex Garner) films his Wife (Libby Morris). Station Road looking towards Barnes High Street in the left background.

A new building in the middle of Barnes High Street. SJ

The Workmen's car runs into the Tourist as he steps back into the road. Station Road with Essex Court on the left.

Today. SJ

When apologies have been exchanged, the car drives away. Station Road facing the junction with Barnes High Street and Church Road in SW13.

Now, captured by Paul Wilson.

A closer match by Antony Blair.

The Workmen pull over to purchase cigarettes. Looking along Cleveland Road from Station Road, Barnes. Location identified by Paul Wilson.

Paul Wilson sent this picture.

The Larger Workman notices that the plank is no longer on the car's roof. Paul Wilson advises that the shop is at the junction of Station Road and Cleveland Road.

The replacement. SJ

"It's gone!" The buildings to the left stand on Station Road.

"And so's the shop." But happily these buildings still indeed stand. SJ

After searching nearby for the plank, the Smaller Workman has trouble with the car's bonnet. Cleveland Road, Barnes in London SW13.

Looking south. SJ

The Policeman continues to deal with the paint incident. Malthouse Passage at the corner of Cleveland Gardens and Terrace Gardens in Barnes identified by Paul Wilson.

Paul Wilson captured the same rebuilt corner now.

Antony Blair copies the screen capture.

After retrieving the plank, the Larger Workman heads back to the car. Limes Avenue, Barnes in London SW13. Location identified by Paul Wilson.

The same road now, proof from Paul.

Parking has increased over time as can be seen in Antony Blair's update fifteen years on.

The American Couple carry on with their filming. Station Road with Essex Court in the left background.

Acknowledging that this is not quite the correct angle a shot from Alan Underwood whose website is dedicated to the Metropolitan Drinking Fountain & Cattle Trough Association. www.mdfcta.co.uk The shot however, does full justice to both the capture and the trough. (RL)

Getting ready for the perfect shot. Station Road with Barnes Pond in the background. In the distance is The Crescent, a location used in 'The Deadly Affair'.

Barnes Pond amid the greenery somewhere. SJ

The Larger Workman walks past with the plank, knocking the American Woman into the horse trough that she is sitting on. Swinging 180 degrees from the previous image brings Essex Court into view.

Now. SJ

Smelling very strongly of refuse, the Delivery Man joins a bus queue. Cleveland Road facing Cleveland Gardens.

No sign of a bus-stop. SJ

As the queue disperses, a bus approaches. Cleveland Road in Barnes SW13.

No stop indeed as a bus would be doing well to get down here. SJ

Passengers leave the bus as the Delivery Man boards. Cleveland Road looking towards Station Road.

The post-box is still there, at a slight tilt. SJ

In another part of town, the Policeman watches an Old Man (Howard Douglas) attempt to cross a busy road. Junction of Cleveland Gardens and Cleveland Road, Barnes. Identified by Paul Wilson.

The same location from Paul Wilson who advises that in the film it looks like a main road, but the reality is that they are two small side roads.

Congestion is caused as the Workmen cross with the plank. Looking towards the River Thames on Cleveland Road at the junction with Cleveland Gardens.

Replacing Clive's Google from 2015. SJ

The plank is moved on. The corner of Cleveland Road and Cleveland Gardens, Barnes SW13.

Today. SJ

At a nearby pub, the plank causes problems for a Window Cleaner. Cleveland Gardens, Barnes. Location identified, and proof sent, by Paul Wilson.

Was this ever a pub? SJ

The Policeman takes notes after the road incident. Facing away from the River Thames on Cleveland Road at the junction with Cleveland Gardens.

No apparent changes. SJ

When they finally secure the plank back onto the car,the Workmen continue their journey to the house. The junction of Cleveland Road and Station Road with Barnes Green on the right.

Perhaps a winter shot would show more of the buildings on Barnes High Street. SJ

The pair turn off the main road to join a queue of cars. Clive Abbey places this as Milton Road at the junction with Upper Richmond Road, East Sheen, London SW14. (RL)

MIlton Road has now been sealed off from Upper Richmond Road West. SJ

The Larger Workman catches sight of a Man (Ronnie Brody) carrying a nude statue. John Edge identifies this as the junction of Milton Road and Church Path and points to part of the Church Path street sign behind the telephone box.

The Church Path sign has moved up. SJ

The Policeman continues on his beat. The Avenue by the corner of Ennerdale Road, Richmond TW9. The houses behind Jimmy Edwards have been demolished adds Neil Rigby (NR).

Stephen Watkins confirms that the buildings have been demolished, leaving this view almost unrecognisable.

A Girl (Clovissa Newcombe) walks past as the 'copper' mounts his cycle. Ennerdale Road near the corner with The Avenue in TW9. (NR)

Stephen Watkins provides this comparison of the location.

A Van Driver (Graham Stark) and his Mate (Ian Wilson) spot the Girl who waves, needing a lift. It was surely a different era! The Avenue in TW9 with an entrance to Kew Gardens in the background. (NR)

Stephen took this shot of The Avenue looking towards Kew Gardens.

After the Girl is picked up, the Policeman spots the Workmen's car with its troublesome cargo. The Avenue with St Luke's church in view. (NR)

Stephen Watkins took this from a similar position.

A truck approaches the car from behind as the preceding van is gained on. Ennerdale Road with the junction of The Avenue in Richmond. (NR)

Steve provides this modern shot.

The plank gets trapped in the back of the van and, from behind, the front of the truck. Ennerdale Road with the junction of The Avenue TW9. (NR)

Stephen captures the same junction.

The van and the truck continue ahead with the plank stuck between them as the car turns off. Ennerdale Road with the junction of The Avenue, TW9. (NR)

The now much bigger trees still stand in Stephen Watkins view.

A queue of traffic holds up the van and the truck. Hatherley Road coming from Ennerdale Road. (NR)

Another matching image from Stephen.

Pulling away, the van leaves the truck with the plank firmly stuck in the cab bodywork. Facing north on Ennerdale Road at the junction with The Avenue, Richmond.

Steve provides this image of the location now.

A mini stops and the Driver asks directions from the Policeman as the truck approaches. Ennerdale Road by the junction with The Avenue heading North. (NR)

Steve Watkins revisited the area.

When they find that their load has again disappeared, the Workmen get into an argument with a Council Cement Layer (Dave Freeman) when trying to take his plank. Ellison Road, Barnes with Cleveland Road in the left background. London SW13. Location identified by Paul Wilson.

And Paul also provided the proof adding that the police station is on the other side of this building.

After directing the Mini's Driver, the Policeman is 'picked up' by the plank sticking out of the truck's front. Ennerdale Road passing Eversfield Road TW9. (NR)

Steve Watkins captured the same corner.

The two Workmen find their plank outside the police station as, inside, its victims complain to the desk sergeant. Ellison Road, London SW13. The building appears to be a hall or library at the time of filming but is now in residential use.

Substantially altered but the rest of it to the right, seen in earlier captures, matches. SJ