Doomtomylo
a film so unique, intoxicating and bizarre that it not only demands another viewing, but is also forgivable as a satirical comedy where the jokes eventually take the back seat.
Hayden Kane
There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes
Scarlet
The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.
videorama-759-859391
The Brits know how to comedy, only here they've really missed. Sorry, but this show is not in the same vein as Some Mothers Do Ave Em, Are you being Served and of course, Benny Hill, probably the greatest English comic out there. Nevertheless, is the characters that make the show, most of all, Stephen Lewis as Blakey. Take him out of the equation, it would be a lesser reason, not to watch it. This is another comedy, which has you wondering when the laughs will start, and when they do, it's only mild laughter. Yes, this weak show, falls short on laughs. Olive, who plays Varney's suffering sister, and indeed is no oil painting, is unforgettable. Second to Blakey is Jack (Bob Grant), a player with the ladies, while Varney is solid as Stan. It may not be funny, but it's still watchable, because of the good performances by the actors. You be the judge.
richard.fuller1
Bought 12 episodes of this show now available on tape. This show has never seen the light of day in the U.S. of A.The only person connected here (tho she wasn't in any of these episodes) that I have heard of is Cicely Courtenidge (read about her in a movie actors book; never saw her in a movie. I suspect that book was a British publication), and the only person I recognized in these twelve episodes was Wendy Richard from "Are YOu Being Served?" in one brief appearance.What did I think of the show? First impression is that it was odd. At this same time, we in America were watching Brady Bunch, Partridge Family, All In The Family, Mary Tyler Moore show, Newhart, MASH.I remember odd things that might have compared, such as a short-lived show called "The Corner Bar".But enough of American shows.I let my sister watch an episode and she thought Olive and Arthur were hysterical.I thought ol' Stan was excellent at some zingers.The Inspector didn't seem to really be into it until much later on, in an episode dealing with Stan's health from sitting on the job all day long. Before that, Inspector seemed to strain facial expressions.I'm watching episodes of Hi De Hi now. Pity we didn't see more of these shows back when they first come out.
jamesraeburn2003
On The Buses was the creation of the writing duo Ronald Wolfe & Ronald Chesney. It was rejected by the BBC, but it's extraordinary success on ITV makes the former's decision rather foolish. Indeed some found it vulgar in that Reg Varney's Stan Butler was chasing after young clippie's young enough to be his daughters, and it was cheeply made but this didn't deter audiences from loving it. It ran for four years from 1969 to 1973. A testament to the enormous populartity of the series is that three big-screen spin-offs were produced by Hammer. They were On The Buses (1971), Mutiny On The Buses (1972)and Holiday On The Buses (1973). They all retained the regular TV cast and the first of the films became the most popular British film of 1971. Made for only £97,000, it's takings even outgrossed the James Bond film of that year, Diamonds Are Forever.The situation comedy revolved around the home life of bus driver Stan Butler (Reg Varney)who lived with is overly devoted mother (played by Cicely Courtneige in the first series, but replaced by Doris Hare at the start of the second series and remained thereafter), his none-to-bright sister Olive (Anna Karen) and his idle brother-in-law Arthur (Michael Robbins). The situation comedy also focused on his friendship with his lechurous conductor Jack (Bob Grant) and their uneasy relationship with their petty and miserable Inspector Blake (Stephen Lewis), known to them as Blakey. Then there was the womanising antics of both Stan and Jack, quite often it would go all wrong for Stan because his family never approved of the girls he brought home.Michael Robbins left the series just prior to the last series, the writers came up with the scenario that Arthur finally walked out on Olive, and that they were looking to divorce. Reg Varney would soon leave with the hope of becoming a star of films in specials, but this turned out to be unsuccessful and little was heard of him after that. In the story Stan went to work in a bus factory in the Midlands, and Inspector Blakey became the main attraction as he moved in to the Butler household as a lodger. Towards the end, Ronald Wolfe & Ronald Chesney gave up their position as the series' house writers, and later scripts were supplied by cast members Bob Grant and Stephen Lewis as well as people like George Layton.On The Buses is my favourite sitcom because it's one of the very few which have made me laugh. I also like the way it portrayed the working class background and the characters, especially Arthur (Michael Robbins) were marvelous, I will never forget them!
MillBay
This British comedy realistically portrays the lower-middle class existence. We have Stan, the bus driver, who is approaching middle-age, but still lives at home and helps support his Mum. Living in the same household is Stan's sister, Olive, and her husband, Arthur. Everybody lives together and pools their resources due to economic conditions. The home is a row house, and nothing fancy. This is much more realistic than many comedies of today, where minimum wage earners live in large Manhattan apartments, which only Bill Gates could afford to rent or own.This is definitely one of my favourite television series of all time. There is not one person in the cast who doesn't belong. Each character brings a unique talent and comedic style which makes this series one of the greatest. Who can ever forget poor, homely Olive and all the ridicule she must endure from her layabout husband, Arthur, and brother, Stan. And then there's Inspector Blake, who must endure his bus driver, Stan, and conductor, Jack(Stan's best friend), who call Blake everything from Dracula to Hitler. Of course, Blake's contempt for his workers doesn't make their life any easier either. I must say that I love British comedies and truly feel that this one is one of the best. I see that videos of the three "On the Buses" movies are available now, as are many of the episodes and I strongly recommend them if you want an evening of wit and entertainment. A rare treat indeed.
