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External links

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	==External links==		==External links==
	*[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0063936/episodes?season=1 Series 1] at the [[Internet Movie Database]]		*[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0063936/episodes?season=1 Series 1] at the [[w:Internet Movie Database\|Internet Movie Database]]

	{{On the Buses}}		{{On the Buses}}

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en>Rlink2: /* Production */Adding archives to assist with Wikipedia:Verifiability, WP:SOURCEACCESS

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{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2017}}
{{Infobox television season
| season_number =
| bgcolour = #ffe699
| image = On the Buses series 1.jpg
| image_size = 200px
| image_alt =
| caption = ''On the Buses'' series 1 DVD
| starring =
| country = United Kingdom
| num_episodes = 7
| network = [[ITV (TV channel)|ITV]]
| first_aired = {{Start date|1969|2|28|df=yes}}
| last_aired = {{End date|1969|4|11|df=yes}}
| next_series = [[On the Buses (series 2)|Series 2]]
| episode_list = List of On the Buses episodes
}}
The '''first series of ''[[On the Buses]]''''' originally aired between 28 February 1969 and 11 April 1969, beginning with "The Early Shift". The series was produced and directed by Stuart Allen. The designer for the first three episodes was David Catley, and Andrew Gardner for the rest of the episodes. All the episodes in this series were written by [[Chesney and Wolfe|Ronald Chesney]] and [[Chesney and Wolfe|Ronald Wolfe]].

==Development==

===Origin of ''On the Buses''===
[[Chesney and Wolfe]] were looking for a new idea for a [[sitcom]] in the late 1960s.{{sfn|Fisher|2011|p=8}} They knew that [[Reg Varney]] would be the [[leading actor]] because of his previous work on ''[[The Rag Trade]]'' for the [[BBC]] with them.{{sfn|Fisher|2011|p=8}} Chesney and Wolfe wanted a combination of ''The Rag Trade'' and ''[[Meet the Wife (TV series)|Meet the Wife]]'', with life at work and at home.{{sfn|Fisher|2011|p=9}} They decided that a [[Bus garage|bus depot]] setting was the best idea, together with a home setting.{{sfn|Fisher|2011|p=9}}

===Production===
Chesney and Wolfe took their plans to the BBC, who had previously commissioned several of their works.{{sfn|Fisher|2011|p=10}} The head of comedy at the BBC, [[Michael Mills (British producer)|Michael Mills]], rejected the project.{{sfn|Fisher|2011|p=10}} Less than a week after the BBC's decision, they took it to [[London Weekend Television]] (LWT).{{sfn|Fisher|2011|p=11}} [[Frank Muir]], a friend of theirs and the head of light entertainment at LWT, accepted the sitcom.{{sfn|Fisher|2011|p=11}}<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/ronald-wolfe-writer-and-producer-best-known-for-the-rag-trade-and-on-the-buses-6280279.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220524/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/ronald-wolfe-writer-and-producer-best-known-for-the-rag-trade-and-on-the-buses-6280279.html |archive-date=24 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live | title=Ronald Wolfe: Writer and producer best known for 'The Rag Trade' and 'On The Buses' | work=The Independent | date=22 December 2011 | access-date=17 November 2013 | author=Gaughan, Gavin}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=Paul Newland|title=Don't Look Now: British Cinema in the 1970s|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9BZCLVHpA-gC&pg=PA183|year=2010|publisher=Intellect Books|isbn=978-1-84150-320-2|page=183}}</ref><ref name="Guardian">{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2011/dec/19/ronald-wolfe | title=Ronald Wolfe obituary | work=The Guardian | date=19 December 2011 | access-date=23 December 2013 | author=Heyward, Anthony}}</ref> Frank Muir suggested Stuart Allen as producer, who had just finished ''[[All Gas and Gaiters]]''.{{sfn|Fisher|2011|p=12}}

For the character of Stan Butler, Reg Varney was first choice but on a list given to Frank Muir of possible actors, he was second on the list.{{sfn|Fisher|2011|p=13}} [[Ronnie Barker]] was first and [[Bernard Cribbins]] third.{{sfn|Fisher|2011|p=13}} They knew that executives usually went for the second choice because it felt safer.{{sfn|Fisher|2011|p=13}} For Inspector Blake, [[Dudley Foster]] was their first choice but they were unsuccessful in getting him.{{sfn|Fisher|2011|p=14}} Both [[Stephen Lewis (actor)|Stephen Lewis]] and [[Bob Grant (actor)|Bob Grant]] were found by Stuart Allen, who were to play Inspector Blake and Jack Harper respectively.{{sfn|Fisher|2011|p=14}} They both came from ''[[Prime Minister parodies (Private Eye)#Harold Wilson: Mrs. Wilson's Diary|Mrs Wilson's Diary]]'', a television version of the play directed by Allen.{{sfn|Fisher|2011|p=14}} Lewis and Grant had previously written and acted together.{{sfn|Fisher|2011|p=14}} Wolfe found the actor for Arthur Rudge easily; he saw [[Michael Robbins]] as a bus passenger on television in ''The Harry Worth Show''.{{sfn|Fisher|2011|p=14}} In the same week, Robbins was sent another offer for ''[[The Dustbinmen]]'' which he declined.{{sfn|Fisher|2011|p=14}}

The last two members to be cast were Mabel "Mum" Butler and Olive Rudge.{{sfn|Fisher|2011|p=14}} Allen wanted [[Cicely Courtneidge]] as Mum and she was given the part for just the first series because she had a theatre production in the [[West End of London|West End]].{{sfn|Fisher|2011|p=15}} [[Doris Hare]] was chosen to play Mum from the second series.{{sfn|Fisher|2011|p=15}} [[Anna Karen]], who played Olive Rudge, was found accidentally.{{sfn|Fisher|2011|p=16}} When Karen turned up to rehearsals for ''[[Wild, Wild Women]]'', she looked horrible because she had the flu and Chesney told Wolfe that she could be Olive.{{sfn|Fisher|2011|p=16}}<ref>{{cite book|author=Barbara Windsor|title=All of Me|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=crK08rebZN0C&pg=PT179|date=8 November 2012|publisher=Headline|isbn=978-0-7553-6465-7|page=179}}</ref>

===Filming===
[[London Transport Board|London Transport]] refused to allow their buses to be used because they thought it would give them a bad reputation.{{sfn|Fisher|2011|p=22}} [[Eastern National Omnibus Company]] supplied all the buses used in the ''On the Buses'' series.{{sfn|Fisher|2011|p=23}} Their main bus depot in [[Wood Green]] was used for filming too.{{sfn|Fisher|2011|p=23}} The depot's exterior was changed for the series, with it appearing to be called the Luxton Bus Company.{{sfn|Fisher|2011|p=23}} Reg Varney went to Eastern National's Basildon depot several times for experience and to take his driving test as a bus driver.{{sfn|Fisher|2011|p=23}} Varney could legally drive the bus, but couldn't take passengers with him.{{sfn|Fisher|2011|p=23}}

==Cast==
* [[Reg Varney]] as Stan Butler
* [[Bob Grant (actor)|Bob Grant]] as Jack Harper
* [[Anna Karen]] as Olive Rudge
* [[Cicely Courtneidge]] as Mabel "Mum" Butler
* [[Stephen Lewis (actor)|Stephen Lewis]] as Inspector Cyril "Blakey" Blake
* [[Michael Robbins]] as Arthur Rudge

==Episodes==
{{See also|List of On the Buses episodes}}
<onlyinclude>{|class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="width:100%; margin:auto;"
|-
! scope="col" style="background:#ffe699;" | Episode No.
! scope="col" style="background:#ffe699;" | Series No.
! scope="col" style="background:#ffe699;" | Title
! scope="col" style="background:#ffe699;" | Directed by
! scope="col" style="background:#ffe699;" | Written by
! scope="col" style="background:#ffe699;" | Original air date
{{Episode list/sublist|On the Buses (series 1)
|EpisodeNumber=1
|EpisodeNumber2=1
|Title=The Early Shift
|DirectedBy=Stuart Allen
|WrittenBy=[[Chesney and Wolfe|Ronald Chesney]] and [[Chesney and Wolfe|Ronald Wolfe]]
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1969|2|28|df=yes}}
|ShortSummary=Inspector Blake gives Stan and Jack a new work schedule, which has them both working on the early morning buses with no canteen facilities. An unofficial [[Strike action|strike]] takes place at the bus company with no strike pay. Stan takes part in an early [[Picketing (protest)|picketing protest]] and a television crew arrives at the [[Bus garage|bus depot]], giving the strike publicity.{{sfn|Fisher|2011|p=53}}{{sfn|Walker|2009|p=26}} This episode was filmed 14 February 1969.
|LineColor=ffe699
}}
{{Episode list/sublist|On the Buses (series 1)
|EpisodeNumber=2
|EpisodeNumber2=2
|Title=The New Conductor
|DirectedBy=Stuart Allen
|WrittenBy=Ronald Chesney and Ronald Wolfe
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1969|3|7|df=yes}}
|ShortSummary=Stan has been given a new conductor who turns out to be the attractive [[Bus conductor|clippie]] Iris. The two of them go on a date after their shift and afterwards, they both go to Stan's house. Mum isn't happy about them being at home together and does her best to ruin the romance between them for the evening.{{sfn|Fisher|2011|p=53-54}}{{sfn|Walker|2009|p=27}} This episode was filmed 21 February 1969.
|LineColor=ffe699
}}
{{Episode list/sublist|On the Buses (series 1)
|EpisodeNumber=3
|EpisodeNumber2=3
|Title=Olive Takes a Trip
|DirectedBy=Stuart Allen
|WrittenBy=Ronald Chesney and Ronald Wolfe
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1969|3|14|df=yes}}
|ShortSummary=Stan is shocked to hear that Olive is applying for a job as a clippie at his bus company. He thinks Olive doesn't have a chance of getting the job. However, Mum ensures Olive gets the job by providing false information on the papers. When Olive is given the job, and after a disastrous rehearsal at home, Stan's nightmare worsens when Mum tells Inspector Blake to put Olive on Stan's route to help her out. This results in disaster as Olive falls ill from the exhaust fumes, frequently holding up the bus to get a breath of air, and winds up suffering from motion sickness so severe that Mum takes over and ends up spilling the money satchel and losing all the fares. Stan saves Olive from being sacked by telling Blakey that she's pregnant.{{sfn|Fisher|2011|p=54}}{{sfn|Walker|2009|p=28}} This episode was filmed 28 February 1969.
|LineColor=ffe699
}}
{{Episode list/sublist|On the Buses (series 1)
|EpisodeNumber=4
|EpisodeNumber2=4
|Title=Bus Drivers' Stomach
|DirectedBy=Stuart Allen
|WrittenBy=Ronald Chesney and Ronald Wolfe
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1969|3|21|df=yes}}
|ShortSummary=Arthur tells Stan that his stomach pains are caused by his poor diet of greasy chips. Stan tells him his condition is known as the "bus driver's stomach", caused by sitting in the bus cab all day long. After Mum hears Arthur reading out aloud from a book about the seriousness of the condition, she puts Stan on a diet. The bus company has announced that all unfit bus drivers are to be given alternative jobs within the company such as cleaning and maintenance jobs. Doctor Clark comes to Stan's house and assesses him, and later Stan passes the company medical. A work colleague of Stan's failed the medical and was promoted to the position of bus inspector.{{sfn|Fisher|2011|p=55}}{{sfn|Walker|2009|p=29}}
|LineColor=ffe699
}}
{{Episode list/sublist|On the Buses (series 1)
|EpisodeNumber=5
|EpisodeNumber2=5
|Title=The New Inspector
|DirectedBy=Stuart Allen
|WrittenBy=Ronald Chesney and Ronald Wolfe
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1969|3|28|df=yes}}
|ShortSummary=Stan applies for the position of bus inspector after he realises the benefits of him getting extra money. Little interest from others for the position means Stan is promoted to inspector. All Stan's colleagues turn against him because of his position and he is removed from the company's darts team. Stan gives up being an inspector and becomes a bus driver again.{{sfn|Fisher|2011|p=55}}{{sfn|Walker|2009|p=30}}
|LineColor=ffe699
}}
{{Episode list/sublist|On the Buses (series 1)
|EpisodeNumber=6
|EpisodeNumber2=6
|Title=The Canteen
|DirectedBy=Stuart Allen
|WrittenBy=Ronald Chesney and Ronald Wolfe
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1969|4|4|df=yes}}
|ShortSummary=The busmen run the canteen for themselves after they're dissatisfied by the way the management has run it. [[Union representative|Shop steward]] Jack puts Stan in charge of the canteen. Stan has to find a cook and gives the job to Mrs Sharma, his colleague's wife, after telling Stan that she had previously worked as a cook in a bus depot. The next day, Stan realises that Mrs Sharma can't speak English and previously worked for an Indian bus depot, not an English bus depot. The Indian food she gives the busmen isn't the food they want and upsets their stomachs, so Stan fires Mrs Sharma and gives the job to Olive, who is helped by Mum. However, they are unable to cook anything, with Mum unable to use the electric stove which results in her scorching the bottom off the pan and Olive accidentally putting the fish in the deep freeze, so Stan goes to a local fish and chip shop and buys the food for the busmen there. The management take control of the canteen again after the canteen has lost more money than ever before as a result of Stan's actions.{{sfn|Fisher|2011|p=56}}{{sfn|Walker|2009|p=31}}
|LineColor=ffe699
}}
{{Episode list/sublist|On the Buses (series 1)
|EpisodeNumber=7
|EpisodeNumber2=7
|Title=The Darts Match
|DirectedBy=Stuart Allen
|WrittenBy=Ronald Chesney and Ronald Wolfe
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|1969|4|11|df=yes}}
|ShortSummary=The clippies Iris and Jenny challenge Stan and Jack to a darts match, with bets being placed on the result. Preparations taken by Stan are hampered when his favourite set of darts are found in Olive's stew when he practices at home. Iris arranges a date with Stan to distract him from the match. After the clippies win the match, Stan is forced to abandon his date and take Mum home.{{sfn|Fisher|2011|p=56-57}}{{sfn|Walker|2009|p=32}}
Note: This is Cicely Courtneidge's final appearance as Mum. She was replaced by Doris Hare in series 2.
|LineColor=ffe699
}}
|}</onlyinclude>

==See also==
* [[1969 in British television]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

===Bibliography===
{{refbegin}}
*{{cite book | last=Walker | first=Craig | title=On the Buses: The Complete Story | publisher=Apex Publishing Ltd | year=2009 | isbn=9781906358693 }}
*{{cite book | last=Fisher | first=Tex | title=I 'Ate You Butler! - The Making of On the Buses: Behind the Scenes of Britain's Favourite Sitcom | publisher=Deck Chair Publishing | year=2011 | isbn=9780956563415 }}
{{refend}}

==External links==
*[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0063936/episodes?season=1 Series 1] at the [[Internet Movie Database]]

{{On the Buses}}

[[Category:On the Buses]]
[[Category:1969 British television seasons]]