On the Buses

Enjoyable, even if it is undeniably sexist.

I remember discovering the television series of 'On the Buses' when I was younger, via my grandparents, and loving it - admittedly at an age of not fully understanding the humour et al. I do remember watching this just about. It's amusing, nothing laugh-out-loud worthy but it's suitably entertaining.

Reg Varney, Bob Grant and Stephen Lewis are a very good trio. Lewis' Blakey is arguably the good guy, despite being portrayed as the antagonist - especially in this plot, given he's the supporter of women bus drivers. I gotta say, Grant's Jack is incredibly creepy. The things you don't notice as a kid, eh?

It does have charm, helped by it giving a nice exterior snapshot of 1960s/70s England and the buses of the time. The film, and series, is always most enjoyable - at least to me - when they are out on the road with the buses.

Obviously misogynistic and all rather dumb, but there are things it does reasonably well.

When Inspector Blake's (Stephen Lewis) decision to hire women bus drivers threatens Stan (Reg Varney) and Jack's (Bob Grant) over-time windfalls and lay-about ways, the boys take time off from seducing clippies, afternoon delights, and dealing with Stan's dysfunctional family (including an enormously pregnant Olive) to ensure that the ladies don't last. As I always liked the characters in the original show, I decided to give the film version a butchers. Not surprisingly, the plot is thin, the gags painfully predictable (has there ever been a sidecar in a comedy that stays attached to the motorcycle?) and there's lots of cleavage and frilly knickers on display. Stan has a certain short charm but seeing his mate Jack as a highly accomplished lothario is a bit of a challenge (in the TV series, even Blakey got in a few wisecracks about Jack's prominent choppers). Stan's hapless sister Olive (Anna Karen) and her miserable husband Arthur (Michael Robbins) are hilarious (to this day I can't hear the name 'Arthur' without hearing Olive's plaintive voice), as is the much put-upon Inspector Blake, whose mustache-muffled snickering whenever he thinks he has Stan and Jack on the ropes still cracks me up. Needless to say, as a tamely raunchy British 'sex comedy' from the early 70s, the show has something to offend everyone in our more righteous (judgemental?) era, so if you're adverse to displays of toxic (but silly) masculinity, stereotypical (but silly) femininity, and sexist (but silly) 'woman-driver' jokes, I'd suggest that you skip this relic.

Dated, but wonderful. "On The Buses" was part of my childhood and ab-so-lutely a product of its time, so i understand (and respect) why many non-Brits or young Brits hate it. Filmed between 1969 and 1973 as a 70 episode tv series and three movies it chronicles the lives of bus driver Stan (Reg Varney), his family, his best mate Jack (Bob Grant) and their constant battles with Inspector Blake (Stephen lewis). It doesn't sound much on paper but the reality for millions around my own age (40) and older was hilarious comedy and I wouldn't hesitate to call it a classic. I used to long for Sunday evenings to see the latest episode. Of course it's sexist and vulgar and anti PC. That's the way comedy (and life) was back then, and in my opinion we were better for it! It's also a stunningly accurate portrayal of British working class life in the early 70s. Here's a little 'aside' for those of you who slag off the crudity and sexism of On The Buses. My Granny hated it (for those reasons) and used to watch the sober / religious tv show presented by Jess Yates instead. We later discovered he was "shagging" everything he could get his hands on! At least On The Buses was never hypocritical. It was always well written and the cast were excellent. The talent and depth they brought to the characters puts it right up there with Dads Army and Only Fools & Horses. Michael Robbins had a deadpan style and razor sharp timing that few actors could equal. There's always a hilarious sense of the famous British 'repression' in his character. Some people may remember his guest appearance as a Flea Exterminator in an episode of "The Good Life". He can never bring himself to say the word "flea" and always refers to them as "the little offendors". There's a great chemistry between Stan and Jack and I really felt that Reg Varney and Bob Grant were mates. Of course, the highlight of On The Buses was always the priceless Inspector, "Blakey". Stephen lewis is a genius and the character he created is second to none, anywhere in British tv. With his Hitler moustache, pained expressions and classic catch-phrases he's a comedy icon. Like all fans I was very saddened by the recent death of Bob Grant. If only the poor man could've realised how much laughter he brought to the world. RIP Bob.

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.

We seem to live in a world of "watch what you say & do". Today's sitcoms are ruled by very well calculated PC rules. We have all embraced this refreshingly new approach to behavior. Unfortunately we are losing our sitcom heritage. We can now only laugh at a very narrow band of situations e.g "man bashing" seems to be a favourite with modern writers. Can't blame 'em, they've got bills to pay as well as me & thee. On The Buses gives us a window into the past. Prior to the 1980's this is how life was. I know I've lived there. All the characters are charicatures (eh?) of people we have known and either loved or hated. Mum (Doris Hare) is holding on to her long suffering but loyal son Stan (Reg) who never gets his way with the ladies as does Jack (Bob). This is one of the mysteries of the universe!!. Blakey is the boss we've all had & hated. Bring back British Sitcom.