On The Buses

ITV

Scriptwriters Ronald Chesney and Ronald Wolfe provided ITV with its most successful comedy of all time, On The Buses, starring Reg Varney as Stan Butler, Bob Grant as Jack Harper and Stephen Lewis as Inspector Blake.

On The Buses followed the exploits of Stan and Jack, who worked as driver and conductor for the Luxton Bus Company in London.  Stan and Jack were a couple of (unlikely) happy go lucky lothario’s, constantly on the pull with the ‘clippies’ at the depot, much to the distaste of Inspector Blake.  Cyril Blake aka ‘Blakey’ was the long suffering Inspector of the depot who was forever at odds with the pair, trying to dissuade them from their womanising antics and poor time keeping.

The rest of the Butler family consisted of Stan’s be-speckled sister Olive (Anna Karen) and her husband Arthur (Michael Robbins) , a miserly layabout who had little faith in his wife’s abilities "You clumsy great clot!”.   A great example of their relationship occurs when she discovers that she is pregnant again.  Feeling pleased with herself, she informs Arthur that the doctor has suggested that, for a time at least, Arthur must: “Go without some of his little pleasures!”   "Oh no!” protests Arthur, “There’s no way I’m going without my Telly!”

Originally, Cicely Courtneidge portrayed Stan’s Mum but was later replaced by the more familiar Doris Hare.

The show was drenched in 1970’s working class Britain and the characters became much-loved household names up and down the country.  The public seemed to identify immediately with the day-to-day trials and tribulations of work, relationships and money problems.  Of course, they also recognised very funny scripts.  Most of the humour was similar to that of the ‘Carry On’ films with lots of ”Cor blimey’s!” and double entendres featuring in each episode.

On The Buses became such a huge hit for ITV and even managed to knock Coronation Street off the No 1 spot in the television ratings. 

Blakey became a national icon and the words “I ‘ate you Butler!” and his infectious laugh was being imitated all over the country.   Even today it is still instantly recognisable some 30 years since the series demise.

Towards the end, some of the principle characters left the series before it had run its course including Reg Varney and Micheal Robbins.  A short time later the show was cancelled.

There were three hilarious spin off movies made by Hammer (Horror) studios namely On The Buses (1971), Mutiny On The Buses (1972) and finally Holiday On The Buses (1973).  The first theatrical release in 1971 was the biggest money-spinner at the UK box office for that year, over taking James Bond’s latest outing as 007 in Diamonds Are Forever. 

Holiday On The Buses is a personal favourite which sees the two sacked from the Luxton Bus Company and both get a job working at Pontins Holiday camp in North Wales.  Unbeknown to them, Blakey also got the sack and is now head of security at the very same camp. Stan arranges for the whole Butler family to join them for a break (discount rates of course) and its not long before a riot of laughter ensues.   Added to this already great cast was the wonderful Wilfred Brambell (Steptoe), Arthur Mullard and Queenie Watts for good measure.

On The Buses also spawned a spin-off in 1974 called Don’t Drink The Water which saw Stephen Lewis return as Blakey.  This time he had retired and had moved to Spain with his sister Dorothy played the fabulous Pat Coombs.

Unfortunately, there are those in this world of political correctness who still frown upon the series (and films) as being extremely vulgar and sexist towards women.  However, On The Buses is thankfully regarded by the masses as a classic piece of 'cheeky postcard' British humour.  At the time the critics hated it, but most importantly, the viewers loved it and regularly tuned in, in their millions.

Sadly Bob Grant, Michael Robbins and Doris Hare are no longer with us.  However, Reg Varney is still going strong and Anna Karen occasionally makes the odd TV appearance.  Her last major role was as Peggy Mitchell’s sister in EastEnders.  Stephen Lewis is still doing the rounds regularly appearing in the BBC’s long running, Last of the Summer Wine. 

The show, which allegedly was initially first turned down by the BBC, remains to this day ITV’s biggest ever comedy smash hit.  The series was made by regional ITV provider London Weekend Television (LWT) and was remade in the USA under the title Lotsa Luck.

‘Awe Gawd, That’s made my day that has!’ you lecherous morons you!!
 

GALLERY l COMEDY CENTRAL  l TV GOLD

Credits Greg Halpin & Jason D'Arcy ©TV Fetish 2006-2008