Mutiny on the Buses

One of the better film comedies of the early seventies trend of making the transition from the small to the big screen. All three films easily surpassed the blandness of the TV series which is currently (Aug 2000) enjoying a re-run on Granada Plus in the UK.

This follow up to Hammer studios' comedy hit On The Buses (1971) sees bus driver Stan (Reg Varney) getting engaged to sexy clippie Susy (Janet Mahoney), but unable to afford the downpayment on a place of their own. With Susy refusing to live at Stan's mum's house, the pressure is on for the driver to get his hands on some extra cash.

Unsurprisingly, Mutiny follows virtually the same successful formula of its predecessor, with lots of bawdy gags involving busty/leggy beauties, and a fair amount of slapstick. Once again, Stan and his best pal, conductor Jack (Bob Grant), have no problems scoring with the ladies despite their (let's be generous here) average looks. And once again, inspector Blakey (Stephen Lewis) tries to ruin the lads' fun, but always comes off worse. Meanwhile, Stan's brother-in-law Arthur (Michael Robbins) also joins the bus company as a driver, attracting the attention of 'Nymphy Nora', much to the annoyance of his wife Olive (Anna Karen).

Comedy highlights include Olive in an out-of-control motorcycle side-car, Stan and Jack sabotaging Blakey's radio unit, a cat-fight between Olive and Nora, a fire-drill that gets out of control, and, best of all, a trip to Windsor Safari Park in which Stan unwittingly gives a ride to a lion and a pair of chimpanzees with hilarious results (apes always make me laugh). It's not exactly high-brow entertainment, but will appeal to fans of the series and those who love classic British comedy in general.

6.5/10, rounded up to 7 for the gratuitous changing room evacuation scene that features lots of scantily clad young women (Including Mahoney in her underwear), and for Stan's sneaky distraction technique during a darts game.

The second of three film spin-offs from the very popular British situation comedy, On the Buses, is actually the best of the three. Of course this will mean nothing to any Brit who wasn't a fan of the format, or anyone perturbed by the absence of political correctness in movies from a different era.

Falling in line with the wave of sex comedy based movies that surfaced in 1970s Britain, Mutiny on the Buses pitches our sex hungry bus depot workers against a new management regime determined to actually operate a bus company! Hence the mutiny when all and sundry do all they can to usurp the plans of Inspector Blakey (Stephen Lewis) and Mr. Jenkins (Kevin Brennan). What follows, in between the kissing and fondling - and the not so sly innuendo - are the usual pratfall scenarios played for energetic laughs, with the stand out being a fire drill training stint that descends into frothy chaos.

Somewhat forgotten is that the snapshot of the era carries considerable value for those that lived it. The cramped housing arrangements, the sexual attitudes and the unemployment issues brought about by redundancy, these are here making a mark regardless of being played for laughs. The change over of ramshackle buses to the new type as a new era is ushered in - with the engine at the rear no less! And delightful old wives tales to help you to stop snoring.

Yes, there's the harmless smut (this is hardly the "Confessions Of" or "Adventures Of" standard of sex comedy films), and a gentle smell of misogyny (though the girls are empowered to take control here), but time is a funny thing and so is nostalgia. Mutiny on the Buses, good fun with a wink and a nod to early 70s Britain. 7/10

Stan gets engaged and is all set to move out, but his plans are scuppered when Arthur loses his job.

The second of the three movies, and it's a must for fans of the TV series, it translated well from sitcom to movie, not many shows managed to do it successfully, I can think of only this and Steptoe and son.

It is as you'd expect, bawdy, raucous, slapstick and a little bit cheeky, in there lies its charm, it's definitely not meant to be taken too seriously. Humour along the lines of the later Carry on films, and confessions movies.

Lots of amusing scenes, the misunderstanding about staff uniform is funny, Arthur and Olive on the out of control bike, the sabotaged radio, the foam, plenty of entertaining moments.

Cheeky postcards humour, it's enjoyable, 7/10.

Forget for a moment the PC argument that haunts this series this big screen spin off reflects the time it was set in and the era for this type of comedy. Jack and Stan are back laughing away manically at every single thing that happens usually to their hapless sidekick Blakey who surely goes down as one of the funniest ever sitcom characters. Here we have an engagement plot involving the usual twenty something who is lusting after middle aged Stan Butler. Lots of very funny scenes around this and a there is a good strong storyline involving the plot around them finding somewhere to live. We also have the usual antics around Stan Butlers cramped home with a good chunk of time spent dealing with Olive and Arthur and their very flatulent toddler ' little Arthur'. Lots of slapstick in this one and it is mainly set in the bus station and at Stans home which gives it an authentic feel of the original tv sit com. Stan and Jack still have every single female that crosses their paths lusting at their feet but this was part of the joke surely and massively adds to the preposterous idea that this would happen in reality. Hilarious scenes also in the safari park with Blakey and Stan and overall I would say this is the best film of the three cinematic outings. Forget the criticism which is totally unjustified , this was the early 1970s for heavens sake and it's very very funny stuff and well worth a watch for that factor alone.