By Daily Mail Reporter PUBLISHED: 15:48 EST, 22 November 2012 | UPDATED: 07:14 EST, 23 November 2012 It was the iconic image that marked the start of some of Britain's classic 20th century movies including the Carry On films, The Red Shoes and A Matter Of Life And Death. A bare-chested man striking a gong introduced Rank Organisation films right up until the company stopped making them in the 1990s. Now, the firm - which currently runs bingo clubs and casinos - has brought back the Gongman for the 21st century with a nationwide competition to celebrate its 75th anniversary.
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Bare-chested man striking gong signalled start of Rank Organisation movies
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Company produced classics such as Carry On films, The Red Shoes and A Matter Of Life And Death
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Firm has brought back the Gongman to celebrate its 75th anniversary - and even a Gongwoman - in a contest which saw 1,000 entrants
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New metal gong is much smaller than original plaster/papier-mache one
And in a nod to girl power, there's also a @placeholder.