| The Sky-Bike | |
|---|---|
 Opening titles | |
| Directed by | Charles Frend |
| Screenplay by | Charles Frend |
| Story by | Charles Frend |
| Produced by | Harold Orton |
| Cinematography | John Coquillon |
| Edited by | Richard Mason |
| Music by | Harry Robinson |
Production company | Eyeline Films |
| Distributed by | Children's Film Foundation |
Release date |
|
Running time | 62 min |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
The Sky-Bike is a 1967 colour British children's film written and directed by Charles Frend (his last feature as director).[1][2] It was produced by Harol Orton for the Children's Film Foundation. A novel based on the script was later published.[3]
Plot
[edit]Tom Smith, living in English suburbia, is an only child who dreams of flying. He spends a lot of time at an abandoned airfield and there he meets a man who has invented a flying bicycle, but it will not stay in the air. They decide to adapt it for two cyclists, to give greater power. Their aim is to win £5000 in a competition for the first man-powered flight. They have a rival team, also based at the airfield, and both are troubled by the security guard and his two Alsatians. Tom is aided by his friend Porker and his sister Daphne.[4]
Cast
[edit]- Liam Redmond as Mr. Lovejoy (Graves for business)
- William Lucas as Mr. Smith
- Ellen McIntosh as Mrs. Smith
- Spencer Shires as Tom Smith
- Ian Ellis as Bill (Porker)
- Della Rands as Daphne
- John Howard as Jack
- Bill Shine as Wingco
- David Lodge as airfield guard
- Guy Standeven as Squadron Leader
- Andrew Venn as Bert
- Harold Bennett as old man (Drophead Charlie)
- Harry Locke as cycle shop owner
Critical reception
[edit]The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "An agreeable and often imaginative children's film, a little weak on plot but making up for it with the splendid central idea of a competition for man-powered flying machines. The Sky Bike itself is a charming flight of fantasy, and it is to the credit of the producers that on what must have been a very low budget they have managed to get the machines into the air for quite long periods. Mechanically minded youngsters should find the whole thing very intriguing."[5]
TV Guide called it an "Imaginative children's adventure film ... not always believable, but this flaw can easily be overlooked given the high energy of the production."[6]
References
[edit]- ^ "The Sky Bike". British Film Institute Collections Search. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
- ^ SKY BIKE, The Monthly Film Bulletin; London Vol. 35, Iss. 408, (Jan 1, 1968): 79.
- ^ Prows to adventure Wordsworth, Christopher. The Guardian 6 Dec 1968: 13.
- ^ "The Sky Bike (1968) - Charles Frend | Synopsis, Characteristics, Moods, Themes and Related". AllMovie.
- ^ "The Sky Bike". The Monthly Film Bulletin. 35 (408): 79. 1 January 1968 – via ProQuest.
- ^ "The Sky Bike | TV Guide". TVGuide.com.
External links
[edit]- The Sky-Bike at IMDb
- The Sky-Bike at Spinning Image