Bus Riley's Back in Town (1965)

A young sailor returns home to discover his girl has married an older, wealthy man.

Director:

Harvey Hart

Writer:

William Inge

Stars:

Ann-Margret, Michael Parks, Janet Margolin

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ann-Margret	...	Laurel
Michael Parks	...	Bus Riley
Janet Margolin	...	Judy
Brad Dexter	...	Slocum
Jocelyn Brando	...	Mrs. Riley
Larry Storch	...	Howie
Crahan Denton	...	Spencer
Kim Darby	...	Gussie
Brett Somers	...	Carlotta
Mimsy Farmer	...	Paula
Nan Martin	...	Mrs. Nichols
Lisabeth Hush	...	Joy
Ethel Griffies	...	Mrs. Spencer
Alice Pearce	...	Housewife
Chet Stratton	...	Benii

Storyline

A young man returns home after a three year tour of duty in the navy only to find things are somewhat different from when he left. His kid sister has grown into a young woman, the job he thought was waiting for him turns out to have some unique conditions, and perhaps most importantly his former sweetheart has married a wealthy and much older man. Disillusioned, he drifts from job to job while trying hard to avoid the advances of his former girlfriend, who is unhappy in her marriage and longs for something extra. While all he wants to do is make something of his life, his will power will be put to the ultimate test.

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Plot Keywords:

character name in title

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 November 1965 (UK)

Also Known As:

Amargo retorno

Filming Locations:

Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Final film of Ethel Griffies.

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Connections

Referenced in Wonder Boys (2000)

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Soundtracks

"Got a Surfboard Ten Feet Long"
Music by Richard Markowitz
Lyrics by Jacques Wilson
Sung by Dobie Gray

User Reviews

A man returns from service in the navy to a small town, finding he no longer fits in.

I really love this movie -I saw it after Parks' series 'Then Came Bronson' which started when I was just seven years old. I honestly don't know how I remember the show.

I have done some research on 'Bus Riley...' and found that the movie was significantly changed by Universal; I don't know whether it was done during shooting or after the bulk of shooting was complete but a great deal of the original story was cut with new scenes filmed to 'push' Ann Margret as a Universal Studios talent. (William) Inge's original script had Judy (Janet Margolin, an absolutely lovely woman) as Bus' girlfriend. He came back to a job at the garage -with James Doohan playing a larger role and was not satisfied, unfulfilled and fell into the relationship with Ann Margret. Michael Parks, Janet Margolin and James Doohan had diminished roles as a result of the forced changes to the movie.

I cannot substantiate this version of events but have seen enough references to it to lend credence to the story -I believe it is why the AM character seems to make no sense at times.

Now, having said that, I still love this movie. I find Michael Parks to be an actor of rare talent and I believe he may have been blacklisted for being difficult to work with. I do think he is a better actor than James Dean, whom he was frequently compared to.