1969, Television: "On the Buses"

On February 28, 1969, the first episode of the British sitcom "On the buses" is broadcast on ITV. The series was created by Ronald Chesney and Ronald Wolfe. Initially it was rejected by the BBC but it got a green light by Frank Muir, Head of Entertainment at London Weekend Television.

The series spans seven seasons and a total of 74 episodes were broadcast from 1969 to 1973. The theme music "Happy Harry" was written by Tony Russell. Hammer Film produced three spin-off films: “They are On the Buses” (1971), “Mutiny on the Buses” (1972) and “Holiday on the Buses” (1973).

Stephen Lewis as Cyril "Blakey" Blake, Doris Hare as Mabel "Mum" Butler,
Bob Grant as Jack Harper and Anna Karen as Olive Rudge

Synopsis

The series follows mostly the misadventures of bus driver Stanley "Stan" Butler (Reg Varney) and his conductor Jack Harper (Bob Grant). The curse of their professional life is Inspector Cyril "Blakey" Blake…

Stephen Lewis as Cyril "Blakey" Blake, Reg Varney as Stanley "Stan" Butler
and Bob Grant as Jack Harper

Reg Varney as Stanley "Stan" Butler, Stephen Lewis as Cyril "Blakey" Blake,
Anna Karen as Olive Rudge and Cicely Courtneidge as Mabel "Mum" Butler

Main Cast

• Reg Varney as Stanley "Stan" Butler: a bus driver who works for the Luxton and District Traction Company. He lives with his mother Mabel, sister Olive and brother-in-law Arthur.
• Cicely Courtneidge (S01) and Doris Hare (S02–S07) as Mabel: "Mum" Butler, Stan's mother.
• Anna Karen as Olive Rudge: Stan's sister.
• Michael Robbins as Arthur Rudge: Stan's brother-in-law.
• Bob Grant as Jack Harper: Stan's conductor and best friend.
• Stephen Lewis as Cyril "Blakey" Blake: the inspector at the bus depot.

Michael Robbins as Arthur Rudge, Anna Karen as Olive Rudge
and Reg Varney as Stanley "Stan" Butler

 Awards

“Logie Awards”: Best British Show (Australia, 1973)

Stephen Lewis as Cyril "Blakey" Blake

Trivia

• All episodes and films were set in the fictional town Luxton.
• Reg Varney undertook a PCV driving test to be filmed driving the bus in exterior scenes.
• Stan Butler was supposed to be in his mid-30's, Reg Varney was already 52 when the series began. He wore heavy make-up so that he would appear younger.
• At one time Bob Grant worked in real life as a bus driver in order to pay his education at RADA.
• Doris Hare (“Mum”) was only 11 years older than her screen "son" Reg Varney.

"On the Buses" opening titles season 1

"On the Buses" opening titles season 3-6