On the Buses (1971)

Stan gets a little annoyed when his Mum and Sister keep buying expensive items on hire purchase, but the money he earns for overtime working as a bus driver means that he can afford it... ... See full summary »

Director:

Harry Booth

Writers:

Ronald Chesney, Ronald Wolfe

Stars:

Reg Varney, Doris Hare, Michael Robbins

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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)

Storyline

Stan gets a little annoyed when his Mum and Sister keep buying expensive items on hire purchase, but the money he earns for overtime working as a bus driver means that he can afford it... just! His job is secure, as bus drivers are hard to come by, and his overtime prospects are good, until the bus company decide to revoke a long standing rule and employ women bus drivers. Aghast at the thought of no overtime and, therefore, less wages, he joins forces with his long time work colleague Jack to sabotage the new female employees.

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Plot Keywords:

bus | based on tv series | sexist overtones | sequel | sidekick | 

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Genres:

Comedy

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

July 1971 (UK)

Also Known As:

A buszon

Filming Locations:

Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

£90,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

EMI Films, Hammer Film Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

88 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The Butlers live at 2 Malden Road. Olive gives birth at St Luke's Maternity Hospital.

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Goofs

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.

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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!

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Connections

Followed by Mutiny on the Buses (1972)

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Soundtracks

"It's a Great Life On the Buses"
Music by Geoff Unwin
Lyrics by Roger Ferris
Sung by Quinceharmon

User Reviews

"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.