Bus Stop (1956)

hyped garbage

Better Late Then Never

Awesome Movie

Good films always raise compelling questions, whether the format is fiction or documentary fact.

I don't understand why some reviewers criticize Don Murray's(Bo) performance as idiotic. That's what the director wanted! This is basically a screwball romantic comedy. If a young Cary Grant or contemporary Jerry Lewis had been there instead of Murray, I think this would have been more easily recognized for what it is. Today, no doubt, Bo would be drugged to calmness, as a clear cut case of ADHD. True, in the age of compulsory group schooling, Bo's unfamiliarity with girls suggests another kind of sexual orientation, or a residence so far from a school that it wasn't practical for him to go to a school. Think of Bo as Li'l Abner and Cherie as Daisy Mae, except that Li'l Abner is the one doing the chasing. If this isn't your brand of humor, I guess you can complain, but don't fault Murray!Marilyn(Cherie, not Cherry, as Bo prefers), as Bo's quarry, is a deglamorized, beat up, cheaply costumed, Ozark hillbilly floozy, who happens to be singing as part of her entertainment act in a Phoenix dive. Her extreme hillbilly twang and terrible rendition of "That Old Black Magic" speaks against her ambition to become a Hollywood star. She doesn't like her present job, being pawed and ogled at and abused by her manager. Thus, the sudden offering to become the wife of a Montana ranch owner offers an alternative from disappointment in Hollywood and her present situation. I'm sure it wasn't every desirable man who was willing to take this ignorant floozy for a wife. Bo seemed not to care about her past. He seemed unusually honest about his feelings. If he was as honest in his portrayal of his situation in Montana, he might make a good husband, if on the hyperexcitable side. But Cherie was taking a chance that he might be a con man. As a husband, he may be excessively controlling, possessive and jealous, thus potentially abusive. But, maybe not so bad. Remember, he's only visiting Phoenix, so has minimal time to land Cherie. Thus, he has to be rather forward to impress her quickly. At least, his spectacular rodeo performance proved he was very good in handling horses and cattle. His extreme persistence in his devotion to her, accompanied by embarrassing public displays, at first turned off Cherie. But, in the end, her resistance melting away. I hope she didn't regret it. Although not real obvious, I figured Virgil didn't go back to Montana with them because he had a crush on Grace and because he figured Cherie was now Bo's new partner. No clue what Virgil might do for a living around Grace's Diner.Reportedly, Marilyn was hell to work with during shooting: supersensitive, complaining, crying, forgetting her lines. Murray was not impressed with her basic egocentric personality.A favorite antic of Bo's: when he lassos Cherie, who's about to get on the bus for LA(I assume), to make her get on the bus for Montana."The Bus Stop Song" was composed for this film. It was sung during the credits and also early on the bus, led by guitar- playing Arthur O'Connell(Bo's friend(Virgil).Available as part of the Marilyn Premier DVD Collection.

A naive but stubborn cowboy (Don Murray) falls in love with a saloon singer (Marilyn Monroe) and tries to take her away against her will to get married and live on his ranch in Montana.So, Don Murray was nominated for best supporting actor (he lost to Anthony Quinn for "Lust for Life"). I have to admit I do not really know who Murray was, and today (2015) it seems the only big name attached is Monroe. But then, I have not (yet) seen "Lust for Life", so I cannot fairly say if Murray was robbed.The strangest thing about this film is the title. Sure, once you see it you can understand why you might call it "Bus Stop", but it seems to be much more about ranches and cheap saloons than public transit.

I will start by saying that I am not a fan of Marilyn Monroe and never have been. So, when I decided to sit down to watch this, I was a bit skeptic. However, I was delightfully surprised! This was Monroe's first film after her year long break to attend acting school and one can definitely see the improvement. Although not an Oscar winning performance, the depth of her character surprised me. On a whole, the film itself is quite interesting. The first twenty minutes were a bit rocky for me, but it steadily improved. The last two scenes of the picture were worth waiting for. So beautifully done, with so much tenderness. Again, the film is not a "ten out of ten" but is worth a try...even if you aren't normally a fan of Monroe.P.S. The theme, which is sung by "The Four Lads," is extremely catchy.

I really wish don wasn't in this he was so annoying trying to get with Marilyn and fails because he tries too hard and I wish I can like every movie Marilyn is in but I cant because this kinda sucks and some other films I feel so bad Marilyn had to be a part of this whatever just don't watch if you hate annoying characters that tries too hard to get a GIRL just don't bother either check out just because Marilyn I guess but seriously who wrote a character like that. he should 've been OK she hates me I'll let her be but instead tries and fails tries and fails throughout the film just really don't bother unless you want to get annoyed and want to go through the screen and punch don because of how annoying he is as a character please