P’tang, Yang, Kipperbang [Kipperbang] **** (1982, John Albasiny, Alison Steadman, Abigail Cruttenden) – Classic Movie Review 8381

Director Michael Apted’s 1982 P’tang, Yang, Kipperbang [Kipperbang] is one of Channel 4’s First Love series of films, which was rewarded with a cinema screening release in the UK and an American release too as Kipperbang.

In 1948, awkward 14-year-old London schoolboy Alan Duckworth, or Quack Quack (John Albasiny), has a passion for cricket and also for Ann Lawton (Abigail Cruttenden) who is in his class and in the school play with him.

Meanwhile schoolmarm Miss Land (Alison Steadman) is rehearsing the show, although her mind is on groundsman Tommy (Garry Cooper), with whom she is having a fling.

P’tang, Yang, Kipperbang is a gentle, charming and funny tale with flashes of truth about love, both young and mature. Steadman easily romps away with the acting honours but the other actors are good too, and the piece is solidly built on Jack Rosenthal’s finely crafted script.

It was made at Wimbledon Chase Middle School, Wimbledon, and Cardinal Vaughan School, Kensington, London.

Also in the cast are Maurice Dee, Mark Brailsford, Chris Karallis, Frances Ruffelle, Robert Urquhart, Maurice O’Connell and Tim Seeley.

P’tang, Yang, Kipperbang [Kipperbang] is directed by Michael Apted, runs 85 minutes, is made by Channel 4 Television, Goldcrest Films International and Enigma TV, is released by Channel 4, is written by Jack Rosenthal, is shot by Tony Peirce-Roberts, is produced by David Puttnam and Chris Griffin and is scored by David Earl.

© Derek Winnert 2019 Classic Movie Review 8381

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