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A bunch of random strangers get on a bus for a short haul across the border to Mexico. They find out something about the other passengers, but more about themselves.

At one time this had been planned as a prestige production, with names like Marlon Brando, Anthony Quinn, Susan Hayward, and Gene Tierney mentioned for the role. By the time it came to the screen, the cast consisted of lesser-regarded players like Dan Dailey, Joan Collins, Jayne Mansfield, and Larry Keating in the roles. Although on paper it looks like a low-rent version of GRAND HOTEL, the characters are well drawn from a Steinbeck story, and the performers offer much stronger performances than the usual work they are noted for.

Credit producer Charles Brackett. He started as a writer, and in the mid-1930s, he hooked up with Billy Wilder. When they grew tired of directorial interference with their scripts, Wilder began to direct regularly, with Brackett as the producer. After 1950, they went on their own ways. Brackett continued to produce, occasionally taking writing credit, through 1962. Along the way, he picked up three Oscars, including one honorary one, amidst a baker's dozen nominations. He died in 1969, aged 76.

I was surfing the channels and came upon this gem. I liked it! Interesting to see Rick Jason out of uniform. The one neat thing about it is the ending. Good movie.

You hear so little about this film although it was taken from a well received John Steinbeck novel which I understand had to be cleaned up for the screen version. Of course in today's world there's nothing particularly shocking about any of the unruly passengers as they get detoured on a rundown bus making a short trip through California.

RICK JASON is the ruggedly handsome driver (whatever happened to him?), JOAN COLLINS is his unhappy wife tipping the bottle, JAYNE MANSFIELD is a showgirl riding to her next strip assignment, DAN DAILEY is a stock character as a traveling salesman with an eye for a pretty girl, and others are strictly cardboard creations.

But it's strikingly photographed in B&W and CinemaScope, briskly directed by Victor Vikas (who won a directing award for this at the Berlin Film Festival), and not as bad as it might seem for all of its obscurity in the realm of classic films.

Probably lacks the punch of the Steinbeck novel in transferring his characters to the screen in accordance with the code of the '50s.

Starting from a backwater bus stop, a load of assorted passengers and their hunky driver have to negotiate terrible road conditions, while dealing with personal problems along the way.

Catch that bus. No wonder it's "wayward". Looks like it was bought at a junk yard sale, but, hey, it proves to be a real trouper. Chicoy (Jason) is the driver and he's got to get his assorted passengers to their destination, come heck or high water, both of which make a scary appearance. Meanwhile, the passengers have to pair up or straighten out, meaning the bus journey is not just literal but symbolic of personal discoveries. That may not be an original plot device, but the road effects are really well done. One thing for sure, except for Mansfield the film has a really drab look to it. Even the usually glamorous Collins is dressed down. Speaking of Collins, she's the only one to go over- the-top amongst a generally well-acted storyline. Going in, I thought this would be a Mansfield showcase, but it's not. She's just one of the passengers with her own personal difficulties to get straight. In fact, her budding romance with an aging Dailey is rather poignant. All in all, the movie adds up a decent time-passer with a few thrills and some non-sappy soap opera to carry the narrative.

Kind of a remake of bus-stop, from the year before. this one has the incredible Joan Collins, who played opposite Bob Hope and Bing Crosby in Road to Hong Kong. here, she's Alice, who works in a diner where the bus stops. although she's a plain jane in this one. you almost won't recognize her. With Jayne Mansfield as Camille, and Dan Dailey as Ernest. and Rick Jason is Johnny, the bus driver, Alice's husband. when washouts and a slide block the road, Johnny wants to see if he can drive around them. it's pretty good. Directed by Victor Katz. after his first fifteen films, he moved into television. It's a Steinbeck story; the usual interactions between people, traveling on a journey, far from home. and some great california scenery, although there's nothing specific listed here on imdb. good stuff.