| 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 Harold Orton for the Children's Film Foundation. A novel based on the script was later published. [3]
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]
The film was notable as the first foray of David Charlton into acting.
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." [2]
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." [5]