User:Tentinator/List of On the Buses characters
The following is a list of characters that appeared in the ITV sitcom On the Buses. All the main characters were created by Ronald Wolfe and Ronald Chesney.
Stan Butler[edit]
| Stan Butler | |
|---|---|
| On the Buses character | |
| First appearance | "The Early Shift" |
| Last appearance | "Goodbye Stan" |
| Portrayed by | Reg Varney |
| In-universe information | |
| Gender | Male |
| Occupation | Bus driver |
| Family |
|
| Relatives |
|
Stanley "Stan" Butler, played by Reg Varney, is a bus driver for The Luxton & District Traction Company. He drove the number eleven route to the cementary gates and attempted to "woo the conductresses".[1][2][3] Both Stan and Jack, his conductor, did their best to annoy Inspector Blake.[4][5]
Varney was allowed to drive the bus himself, as long as he didn't carry any fare-paying passengers.[5]
On 22 March 1973, The Age said Varney had quit the role as Stan and that he had only signed to do seven shows out of the thirteen-part seventh series.[6] Varney said:
We act it straight. It can be drama as well as comedy. It's a fine hairline, knowing the difference. We don't put in jokes. In fact, we take out jokes if they are interfering with the truth of the situation.[7]
Olive Rudge[edit]
| Olive Rudge | |
|---|---|
| On the Buses character | |
| First appearance | "The Early Shift" |
| Last appearance | "Gardening Time" |
| Portrayed by | Anna Karen |
| In-universe information | |
| Gender | Female |
| Family |
|
| Spouse | Arthur Rudge (husband) |
| Relatives |
|
Olive Rudge (née Butler), played by Anna Karen, is the brother of Stan Butler and was married to Arthur Rudge. The beginning of series seven saw Olive get divorced in court.
Arthur Rudge[edit]
| Arthur Rudge | |
|---|---|
| On the Buses character | |
| First appearance | "The Early Shift" |
| Last appearance | "The Prize" |
| Portrayed by | Michael Robbins |
| In-universe information | |
| Gender | Male |
| Occupation | Booking clerk |
| Family | Linda (sister) |
| Spouse | Olive Rudge (wife) |
| Relatives |
|
Arthur Rudge, played by Michael Robbins, is the layabout husband of Olive Rudge.
Mum[edit]
| Mabel Butler | |
|---|---|
| On the Buses character | |
| First appearance | "The Early Shift" |
| Last appearance | "Gardening Time" |
| Portrayed by |
|
| In-universe information | |
| Gender | Female |
| Occupation | Housewife |
| Family |
|
| Spouse | Albert Butler (husband) |
| Children |
|
| Relatives | Arthur Rudge (son-in-law) |
Mabel "Mum" Butler was initially played by Cicely Courtneidge for the first series. The role was recast to Doris Hare, who played the character from series two to series seven.[2] Mum is the mother of Stan Butler and Olive Rudge.[2][8]
Reception[edit]
The Daily Telegraph said:
The widowed Mrs Butler was a sympathetic role which Doris Hare played with naturalness. The series brought her widespread recognition; half way up a mountain in Montenegro she was once obliged to admit to an enthusiastic fan, "Yes, I'm Reg Varney's mum."[2]
Jack Harper[edit]
| Jack Harper | |
|---|---|
| On the Buses character | |
| First appearance | "The Early Shift" |
| Last appearance | "Gardening Time" |
| Portrayed by | Bob Grant |
| In-universe information | |
| Gender | Male |
| Occupation | Bus conductor |
Jack Harper, played by Bob Grant, is Stan Butler's best friend and conductor.[9] Both Stan and Jack are known for their attempts to "woo the conductresses".[1][3]
Inspector Blake[edit]
| Cyril Blake | |
|---|---|
| On the Buses character | |
| First appearance | "The Early Shift" |
| Last appearance | "Gardening Time" |
| Portrayed by | Stephen Lewis |
| In-universe information | |
| Gender | Male |
| Occupation | Bus inspector |
| Family | Dorothy Blake (sister) |
| Relatives | Sally (niece) |
Inspector Cyril "Blakey" Blake, played by Stephen Lewis, is a dictatorial bus inspector for The Luxton & District Traction Company. He became famous for his catchphrase "I 'ate you, Butler", used towards driver Stan Butler.[10][11][12][13][1][14][2] The catchphrase was sometimes followed by "Get that bus out!"[5]
Others[edit]
| Character | Episode | Actor | Circumstances |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harry Smith | Episode 1 | Harry Smith | One of Stan Butler's friends. |
References[edit]
- ^ a b c Jon E. Lewis; Penny Stempel (September 1996). Cult TV: the essential critical guide. Pavilion Books.
- ^ a b c d e "Doris Hare". The Daily Telegraph. 1 June 2000. Retrieved 29 October 2013.
- ^ a b Stubbs, David (17 November 2008). "Reg Varney reaches the end of the line". The Guardian. Retrieved 29 October 2013.
- ^ "On The Buses' Varney dies at 92". BBC News. 16 November 2008. Retrieved 29 October 2013.
- ^ a b c Hayward, Anthony (18 November 2008). "Reg Varney: Comic actor and entertainer who found fame in 'On The Buses'". The Independent. Retrieved 29 October 2013.
- ^ "Reg quits the buses". The Age. Australia. 22 March 1973. p. 29. Retrieved 29 October 2013.
- ^ "Comedian found niche at helm of bus". The Australian. 18 November 2008. Retrieved 29 October 2013.
- ^ "On the Buses star dies". BBC News. 31 May 2000. Retrieved 29 October 2013.
- ^ "On the Buses TV star found dead". BBC News. 19 November 2003. Retrieved 29 October 2013.
- ^ Ned Sherrin (25 September 2008). Oxford Dictionary of Humorous Quotations. Oxford University Press. p. 62. ISBN 978-0-19-923716-6.
- ^ Rowbotham, John (7 August 2008). "Inspectors Make An Impact On Hamilton Buses". Hamilton Advertiser. Retrieved 29 October 2013.
- ^ Adam Joe Lawton (2012). Journey to Peace: A True Story of Forgiveness and Reconciliation. Troubador Publishing Ltd. p. 241. ISBN 978-1-78088-318-2.
- ^ Ultimate DVD. Visual Imagination. 2006.
- ^ Tribune. Tribune publications, Limited. 2003.
External links[edit]
Category:Lists of British television series characters Category:On the Buses