On the Buses (1971)

Director:

Harry Booth

Writers:

Ronald Chesney (written by)
Ronald Wolfe (written by)

Release Date:

July 1971 (UK)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot:

Stan gets a little annoyed when his Mum and Sister keep buying expensive items on hire purchase, but...

Plot Keywords:

Bus | Based On TV Series | Sequel | Working Class | Independent Film

Cast

Reg Varney	...	Stan Butler
Doris Hare	...	Stan's Mum
Michael Robbins	...	Arthur Rudge - Stan's Brother-in-Law
Anna Karen	...	Olive Rudge
Stephen Lewis	...	Blakey, Stan's Inspector
Bob Grant	...	Jack Harper, Stan's Conductor
Andrea Lawrence	...	Betty
Pat Ashton	...	Sally
Brian Oulton	...	Manager
Pamela Cundell	...	Ruby
Pat Coombs	...	Vera
Wendy Richard	...	Housewife (as Wendy Richards)
Peter Madden	...	Mr Brooks
David Lodge	...	Busman
Brenda Grogan	...	Bridget (as Brenda Gogan)

Runtime:

88 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Certification:

UK:A (original rating) | UK:PG (video rating) | Iceland:L | Singapore:PG | Finland:S | USA:PG

Filming Locations:

Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, England, UK

Company:

EMI Films

Goofs:

Continuity: As the driver walks towards the cab after Stan puts the spiders in it, she is wearing boots. In the next shot, when she is feeling the spiders on her legs, she is wearing shoes.

Quotes:

Blakey, Stan's Inspector: 'What's the matter with you, can't you drive? eh? Oh my god, look what you've done! Quick, get in that cab, pull away, quick! Hurry up!
Vera: I can't! Theres spiders in my cab!
Blakey, Stan's Inspector: Spiders? I don't care if you've got ants in your pants! You get in that cab and pull away quick!

Movie Connections:

Followed by Holiday on the Buses (1973)

Soundtrack:

It's a Great Life On the Buses

"Not hilarious, but still charming"

This spin-off from the popular ITV sitcom was the most popular British film of 1971, it's takings even outgrossing Diamonds Are Forever, the James Bond film of that year. Take my word for it, the critics tore it to pieces and they still do now when it's shown on television.

I don't think it's overly funny but I still love it. Okay so it's sexist, but like the Carry On films, even though it's not hilarious it still possesses a certain charm that these overblown American comedies cannot hope to achieve.

All the series regulars are here. Reg Varney, Doris Hare, Anna Karen,Bob Grant and Stephen Lewis. While they were all charming, Michael Robbins stands out for me because his comic timing was impeccable. For example, he would sit there reading the paper and suddenly he would look up and utter something amusing.