Holiday on the Buses
| Industry | Film production |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Borehamwood , United Kingdom |
| Products | Films |
Holiday on the Buses is a 1973 British comedy film helmed by director Bryan Izzard, featuring performances by Reg Varney, Doris Hare, Michael Robbins, Anna Karen, Stephen Lewis, and Bob Grant. Produced under the guidance of Ronald Chesney and Ronald Wolfe for Hammer Films, this movie serves as the third and final cinematic extension of the ITV sitcom On the Buses. It follows the earlier films On the Buses (1971) and Mutiny on the Buses (1972). Plans for a fourth installment were ultimately abandoned.
Plot
Due to careless driving behind the wheel, Stan Butler causes several accidents, resulting in his termination alongside conductor Jack and inspector Blakey. After several weeks without work, Stan and Jack manage to find employment as bus staff at a Pontins holiday camp located in Prestatyn, North Wales, where Blakey is employed as a security inspector. Using his employee discount, Stan invites his family to join him for a vacation; however, his brother-in-law Arthur declines to cover train fare expenses and instead transports them via motorcycle and sidecar. An accident causes most of their luggage to be lost in a river, ruining their clothing.
While at the holiday camp, Blakey keeps a close eye on Stan and Jack’s mischiefs while simultaneously pursuing a romantic interest in the nurse and conducting dance lessons. Stan tries to charm guest Mavis but is consistently blocked by her mother. He also attempts to flirt with staff member Sandra, breaching work regulations, but ends up looking after Little Arthur, who mischievously sprays ink throughout their chalet, forcing the family to redecorate before management becomes aware.
Stan’s attempt to impress Mavis with a boat cruise fails due to seasickness, and efforts to repaint their chalet are repeatedly disrupted by family accidents. Following further damage involving petrol and cigarettes, Stan and Jack resort to stealing a toilet to fix their chalet while distracting Blakey by organizing dance classes for Olive and Arthur. When Olive’s glasses break, she mistakenly enters another guest’s chalet.
Stan pursues Maria, an Italian employee guarded by her brother Luigi. A misunderstanding provoked by Blakey leads Luigi to assault Stan; however, the manager later confirms no wrongdoing occurred. Meanwhile, Jack secretly dates the nurse but escapes when Blakey arrives, causing Blakey to wrongly suspect Stan. This results in Blakey’s dismissal for breaching staff rules.
The Butler family’s holiday ends with mixed results but again includes lost luggage. Stan and Jack borrow a bus for an evening outing but become stuck in sand; their delay causes the bus to be submerged by the tide, leading to their termination. Returning to unemployment benefits, they discover Blakey working at the job centre. Despite initial boasting, Blakey assists Stan in securing demolition work operating a wrecking ball, concluding with Stan demolishing a building.
Cast
- Reg Varney as Stan Butler
- Doris Hare as Mabel "Mum" Butler
- Michael Robbins as Arthur Rudge
- Anna Karen as Olive Rudge
- Stephen Lewis as Inspector Cyril "Blakey" Blake
- Bob Grant as Jack Harper
- Wilfrid Brambell as Bert Thompson
- Kate Williams as Red Cross nurse
- Arthur Mullard as Wally Briggs
- Queenie Watts as Lily Briggs
- Henry McGee as holiday camp manager
- Adam Rhodes as Little Arthur
- Michael Sheard as depot manager
- Hal Dyer as Mrs. Coombs
- Franco De Rosa as Luigi
- Gigi Gatti as Maria
- Maureen Sweeney as Mavis
- Eunice Black as Mrs Hudson (Mavis' mum)
- Sandra Bryant as Sandra
- Carolae Donoghue as Doreen
- Annette Long as Betty
- Tara Lynn as Joyce
- Harry Fielder as busman
- Alex Munro as patient
Production
The movie was primarily filmed at The Pontin's Holiday Camp located in Prestatyn, North Wales, while interior scenes were completed at EMI-MGM Elstree Studios in Borehamwood. Additional footage was captured in the towns of Dyserth, Rhuddlan, and Rhyl.
The open-top bus featured in the film, identified as XFM 229, was a Bristol LD model that had originally been operated by Crosville Motor Services before being dismantled in 1982.
This production represents the final film roles for Reg Varney and Michael Robbins within the On the Buses series; both actors had departed from the television show during its concluding season that same year.
Critical reception
The Monthly Film Bulletin labeled the movie a "dire third spin-off," remarking that only brief comedic moments were provided by guest stars Queenie Watts and Arthur Mullard. The critique pointed out that much of the acting depended heavily on crude humor.
In its evaluation, The Radio Times Guide to Films assigned a rating of 1 out of 5 stars, describing it as "one of the worst films you'll ever see," emphasizing its reliance on risqué jokes rather than meaningful content.
Hugh Leonard, writing for the Sunday Independent, awarded zero stars, declaring that the film "should be buried in unhallowed ground."