Review for The Eric Sykes Collection

Eric Sykes is possibly one of England's last great comedy institutions. He is of the great era that brought us Spike Milligan, Tony Hancock, Tommy Cooper and Peter Sellars. His contribution to the world of comedy cannot be understated and yet sometimes it is just that. When you look at what he was part of, things like The Goon Show, Hancock and Sykes. I think he was one of the most prolific comedy writers and performers that I can think of and this disk containing five of his classic TV comedies is proof.

The set includes If You Go Down to the Woods Today, Rhubarb Rhubarb, Mr H is Late, It's Your Move and The Plank. The fact is this disk is worth it just for The Plank as it is possibly one of the funniest half hours I have ever spent as Eric Sykes and Arthur Lowe try to transport a single plank to the building site. Sounds simple? It is an almost silent half hours of gag after gag after gag. So good that this went on to win the Golden Rose of Montreaux (an award won by such shows as The Frost Report, The Muppet Show and The League of Gentlemen).

One of the things that will strike you (or at least those of you who grew up on the likes of Carry On films and old 1970s comedies) is the fact these shows seem to have everyone in it. Spike Milligan, Joanna Lumley, Richard Briers, Tommy Cooper, Hattie Jacques, Jimmy Edwards, Bernard Cribbins, Frankie Howerd and even Henry Cooper. I think it would probably easier to say who isn't in it. All are written and directed by Eric Sykes and all are filled with so many gags, mostly sight gags and very little dialogue that you just sit and marvel at how he was able to pull all of this together. Of the other shows, which are all wonderful, the next best is It's Your Move, which is probably any homemover's nightmare as Richard Briers moves into his new house only to have it utterly destroyed by Sykes and his moving company.

The lack of extras is a little disappointing and the fact that they didn't include the more famous version of The Plank starring Tommy Cooper is a missed opportunity. However, having all five of these in one place and the sheer amount of laughter on offer here makes for a classic dose of comedy for all.