Il fantabus

This film was a great way to spend an hour and a half winding up the day. I went to bed with a smile on my face!

It is not quite a "it's so bad it's good " type of film but it came close.

Don't take it seriously, let them off with a few flat jokes, and you'll have a giggle!

"The Big Bus" was released in 1976, four years before the landmark disaster flick-spoof, "Airplane!". Why "The Big Bus" was not as popular a film is a mystery, because it is every bit as funny as "Airplane!". The dialogue is witty, the sight gags are hilarious and plentiful, and the acting is just dead-pan enough to make it all work. Joseph Bologna and Stockard Channing head up an all-star cast heading from New York to Denver on a nuclear-powered bus, which is supposed to make the trip with no stops, but of course, disasters ensue. The bus is a luxury vehicle, complete with a piano bar, swimming pool, bowling alley and dining room. If you haven't seen "The Big Bus" check it out. It will make you laugh out loud.

How marvelous that this has just come out on DVD! This movie has been a fave since I was but a lad. It predates "Airplane" by about 4 years, and is about 4 times funnier, but inexplicably bombed at the box office. Guess it was ahead of its time.

The funniest bit is the lounge piano player with his "Six months to live" and "Doggy doctor" improvisations, and how he welcomes new patrons into the bar with "Hey, welcome to the Oriental Lounge!" accompanied by a little piano twinkle.

So it isn't "Citizen Kane" ... but the laughs are bigger!

The Big Bus is the kind of film that will make you giggle and grimace, frequently during a viewing. Almost of a kitchen-sink humor, you'll giggle out loud at the parodies of the great 70's disaster flicks.

This is a film with wonderful cameos featuring b-grade stars who evidently hadn't anything better to do that day, then show up at the studio and act out some schtick. It's campy, rompy, and fun. As I recall, the film's tagline was "You'll die laughing!" Well it is a disaster spoof...

Pay particular attention for a classic line in which elderly runaway from home Ruth Gordon tells Renee Auberjenoius (as a doubting priest) how happy she was that god put her in the seat next to a priest. Father Kudos responds, "If it was god that put you here, why didn't he give you a fancy window seat like mine?! I, Kudos, a doubter luxeriate in a window seat, while you, aging with age, get older yet in that disgrace of an aisle seat!! Where is your god now old woman?!" Ruth Gordon responds, "Jesus, I'm sorry I asked!"

Check this gem out - There are far worse ways to die, than to die laughing while watching "The Big Bus"!

This is a stupid film. I admit it. The acting is very broad, the script is dopey as can be and every element of the film says "DUMB" but it all works because the film never takes itself seriously and makes no pretense. Yes, it is meant to be stupid! I mean, just think about the plot--an air or sea disaster movie that instead occurs on a bus! And, this is no ordinary bus, but seems about 25,000 square feet (minimum) inside--complete with a huge lounge, seating for a huge number of passengers and even a bowling alley!! Plus, you add other plot ideas like a co-driver named "Shoulders" because he keeps driving over the shoulders of the road, a bomb planted aboard and the bus is actually NUCLEAR-POWERED!!! This movie is pure escapist fun. If you want something deep or really enjoy the films or Fellini or Truffaut and hate anything else, then this movie is not for you. If you like pure dopiness and could use a laugh, then this film is exactly what you need.