Elstree Calling

Stan Butler (Reg Varney) and Jack Harper (Bob Grant) in a scene from On the Buses.

On The Buses Feature:

Between 1971 and 1973, three On the Buses spin-off films were made by Hammer Films at Elstree Studios. As a huge and life-long fan of these films, I decided to add a special feature on these films to this website.

On the Buses was the first of the three On the Buses films made. It was made and released in 1971 and starred Reg Varney, Doris Hare, Michael Robbins, Anna Karen, Stephen Lewis and Bob Grant. The film was written by Ronald Chesney & Ronald Wolfe, and directed by Harry Booth. The production supervisor was Roy Skeggs, who I had the pleasure of meeting in June 2007.

One of the questions I most get asked about the On the Buses films is where was the bus depot located? Well, I can confirm that the depot building (seen in the vid. cap. above) was in actual fact Stage 5 at Elstree Studios. This stage was also used for, amongst many other film & TV productions, the filming of certain scenes in the first three Star Wars films. Sadly, this stage was one of six to be demolished during 1991 when Brent Walker owned the site. That part of the studios' site is now home to a Tescos supermarket development. It always feels quite strange whenever I walk around this site knowing that some of my most-favourite film and television production were shot there when the land belonged to the studios!

Elstree Studios is situated in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, and scenes for the first two of the On the Buses films were not only filmed at the studios but nearby in-and-around Borehamwood. Locations in Borehamwood used for the filming of On the Buses included: Shenley Road (scenes mainly seen in the opening title sequence), Malden Road (2 Malden Road was used as the exterior for the Butler's house), Whitehouse Avenue (Turnaround Betty's) and Manor Way (the laundrette).

Meanwhile back at the studios, as well as using stage space, the film production used one of the entrances to stage block 1 - 4 as the maternity hospital entrance and a studio gateway as the main entrance to the maternity hospital's site.

When the cast were initially approached to appear in a film version of On the Buses, they were asked to sign to make a total of three films, the second being Mutiny on the Buses. Believe it or not, the title for this film was invented by a member of the public after Hammer Films ran a national competition to find a title for the film. The winner was invited to a special lunch to meet the cast at Elstree Studios during the production of the film.

The same main cast, of course, appeared in the second film, released in 1972, with this film again being directed by Harry Booth. 

Stage 5 at Elstree was once again used as the bus depot, while Shenley Road in Borehamwood was again used for parts of the opening title sequence. The exterior of 2 Malden Road (close to the main entrance of ATV Centre, now BBC Elstree) was again also used to play the Butler's house. Manor Way, Borehamwood, was also used for certain scenes in the film, including in part of the opening title sequence. Incidentally, Manor Way would also be used in parts of the films, Confessions of a Pop Performer and Confessions of a Driving Instructor.

Although a great deal of the filming for the third and final of the On the Buses films, Holiday on the Buses, was carried out at a Pontin's Holiday Camp in Prestatyn, North Wales, several scenes, including the opening title sequence, were filmed at Elstree Studios in Borehamwood.

The main cast came back for one more film, released in 1973, and were joined by the likes of Henry McGee and Kate Williams. And this time the film was directed by Bryan Izzard. 

The opening title sequence filmed at Elstree Studios was quite complicated and involved a bus crash staged just outside Stage 5, which was again appearing as the bus depot. But this time just at the start of the film.

Parts of the exterior and interior of one of the since-demolished studio buildings at Elstree were used as the Labour Exchange that Jack & Stan are seen at both the start and end of the film.

Anna Karen continues to work and makes occasional appearences in the BBC soap, EastEnders, which is currently filmed at BBC Elstree, almost opposite from Elstree Studios. But sadly, Reg Varney, Michael Robbins, Doris Hare, Bob Grant and Anna Karen's husband Terry Duggan (who appeared in the first film) have all sadly passed away. Some of the cast may have gone, but, thanks to film, video & DVD, we are still fortunately able to watch and enjoy the three On the Buses films. And long may new generations discover them! I know I will always continue to love watching them...  

Feature: © Paul Burton 2008

Please click the following link to buy the On The Buses Films on DVD

Please click here to visit the website of the On the Buses Fan Club.

Please do not reproduce any part of this feature without first contacting Paul Burton to request permission.