John Steinbeck's The Wayward Bus
Theatrical release poster
Directed byVictor Vicas
Screenplay byIvan Moffat
Based onThe Wayward Bus
1947 novel
by John Steinbeck
Produced byCharles Brackett
StarringJoan Collins
Jayne Mansfield
Dan Dailey
Rick Jason
CinematographyCharles G. Clarke A.S.C.
Edited byLouis Loeffler
Music byLeigh Harline
Distributed by20th Century-Fox
Release date
  • May 27, 1957 (1957-05-27) (United States)
Running time
87 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$1.4 million[1]
Box office$1.75 million (US rentals)[2]

The Wayward Bus is a 1957 American drama film directed by Victor Vicas and starring Joan Collins, Jayne Mansfield, Dan Dailey and Rick Jason. Released by 20th Century-Fox, the film was based on the 1947 novel of the same name by John Steinbeck.

Plot

Alice Chicoy is the wife of driver Johnny. He owns a small, rundown bus that makes side trips. Alice is the owner of a little restaurant in Rebel Corners and likes liquor a bit too much.

Unhappy with what has become of her life, she decides to "surprise" her husband midway through his bus trip. Among the passengers, Camille Oakes is a burlesque dancer on the way to a well-paying job in San Juan. Camille gets caught up in a flirtation with traveling salesman Ernest Horton.

Most of the story takes place on the bus. Slowly making their way through a treacherous California mountain region, the passengers undergo a variety of life-altering experiences. The journey has its most profound effects upon the iconoclastic salesman and the lonely burlesque dancer.

Cast

Uncredited (in order of appearance)
Max WagnerPassenger trying to sleep in left front seat of bus arriving at Johnny and Alice's bus stop café
Anna LutherPassenger sleeping in right front seat of bus arriving at Johnny and Alice's bus stop café
Tom GreenwayMr. Breed, owner of gas station servicing Johnny's bus after landslide
Joe DevlinBus dispatcher at San Juan bus terminal who tells Johnny, "You're blocking number six... get on your loading spot"
Milton FromeMr. Stanton at San Juan bus terminal who tells Celeste that her performance is scheduled for tomorrow night
Minta DurfeeWoman at San Juan bus terminal who is annoyed at Johnny standing in front of ladies room door waiting for Alice

Production

Development

Steinbeck completed the novel in 1946 for publication in 1947.[3] As it was his first novel since The Grapes of Wrath, there was Hollywood interest in it prior to publication.[4]

In March 1947 George Stevens announced that he had bought screen rights to the novel on behalf of Liberty Films, the production company he established after the war along with Frank Capra, William Wyler and Sam Briskin. Steinbeck received a cash down payment and a percentage of the profits.[5] He wanted Barbara Bel Geddes to star.[6]

Charles Feldman

Liberty Films wound up relatively quickly. In June 1949 Charles Feldman announced that the novel was one of four properties he was developing for screen treatment (other others being the plays The Silver Whistle and Finian's Rainbow and the novel Tender Mercy). Gene Solow was writing a script based on the novel.[7] Feldman wanted Charles Boyer and Gertrude Lawrence to star.[8][9]

In January 1952 Feldman announced that William Saroyan had written a script and he wanted to start filming in April at Sam Goldwyn Studios. He said Jennifer Jones wanted to star and he hoped to get Marlon Brando as the male lead under the direction of George Stevens. Feldman said Saroyan's screenplay had some new characters not in the book and a "more sharply defined love story" which took the book out of its "original Grand Hotel style."[10]

In February 1953 Feldman announced that one of the key roles would be played by Geraldine Page who had just signed a seven-year contract with Feldman off the back of her stage success.[11]

In July 1954 Henry Hathaway was announced as director.[12][13]

20th Century-Fox

In September 1955, Feldman sold his rights in the novel to 20th Century-Fox. It was part of a package deal along with five other properties, the others being Bernadine, Heaven Knows, Mr Allison, Hilda Crane, Lonely Steeple and Tender Mercy.[14]

By May 1956. Charles Brackett was assigned as producer, and Susan Hayward was going to star as Alice.[15] Jayne Mansfield was going to star but could not get out of a commitment to appear in Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? on Broadway. Robert Mitchum was going to star under a new long term contract he had signed with 20th Century-Fox.[16] Hathaway was attached to direct.[17]

In June 1956 Hayward pulled out, declaring that she had just played an alcoholic in I'll Cry Tomorrow and did not want to play another one.[18]

Fox eventually decided to delay production until Mansfield had finished her run in Rock Hunter so she could appear in the film.[19]

In August. Richard Widmark signed to star. He was soon followed by Gene Tierney.[20] By October, Hathaway dropped out as director.[21] Tierney also pulled out, saying she did not feel up to the role.[22]

The studio wanted to cast Shelley Winters in a key role but she would only do it if the studio would also cast her in the big screen version of A Hatful of Rain, which she had played on Broadway. Fox refused and Joan Collins was cast instead. Studio contract player Rick Jason was given a key part.[23]

Joanne Woodward intended to play Mildred Pritchard, but dropped out to star in The Three Faces of Eve, and the role went to Dolores Michaels, her first acting role.[24]

Shooting

Victor Vicas was chosen to direct. He also wrote the script with Ivan Moffat. "We've had to make a few changes," said Vikas about the novel. "We've reduced the sex angle so it's acceptable to the film medium, lowered the overall ages of the passengers and thrown in a few of the modern conveniences such as a helicopter rescue service. In addition, we've supplied a bit more suspense to the bus ride. A landslide which just misses the bus for example, and a bridge going out under the weight of the vehicle. And instead of the bus getting mired in the mud, we have it caught with one wheel over the edge of a cliff on a washed out road."[25]

Filming started January 1957.[26]

Reception

The film received disappointing reviews.[27] Fox had hoped to repeat the success of 1956's Bus Stop (starring Marilyn Monroe), but ended up crafting the Steinbeck novel into what one commentator called "the kind of lowbrow schlock the novel had satirized".[28]

United Press International wrote in a review of the film that Michaels' "torrid" scene, a seduction scene in a hayloft where she makes a pass at the bus driver (Rick Jason), "manages to steal the sexiest scene in the picture," over better known actresses Jayne Mansfield and Joan Collins, and wrote that Hollywood had not had a scene like it since Jane Russell in The Outlaw. Director Victor Vicas shot two versions, an "A" scene and a "B" scene, because of the censors.[29]

Award nominations

The Wayward Bus was one of 33 films nominated for the Golden Berlin Bear Award at the 7th Berlin International Film Festival.[30]

Home media

The film was released on Blu-ray in June 2012 by Twilight Time under license from 20th Century Fox.

References

  1. ↑ Aubrey Solomon, Twentieth Century Fox: A Corporate and Financial History, Scarecrow Press, 1989 p251
  2. ↑ Aubrey Solomon, Twentieth Century Fox: A Corporate and Financial History, Scarecrow Press, 1989 p227
  3. ↑ Gestapo Has Undset Understandably Upset By Clip Boutell. The Washington Post 13 Oct 1946: S6.
  4. ↑ BY WAY OF REPORT: Film Studios Bid for New Novels--Addenda Second Time Around The Winner Foreign Showcase By A.H. WEILER. New York Times 3 Nov 1946: 68.
  5. ↑ HEPBORN TO STAR IN METRO PICTURE: Actress Gets Lead in Film of 'B.F.'s Daughter,' Based on Novel by Marquand By THOMAS F. BBADY New York Times 19 Mar 1947: 30.
  6. ↑ Stevens' Next to Be 'The Wayward Bus' By Hedda Hopper. The Washington Post 20 Aug 1947: 17.
  7. ↑ FELDMAN WORKING ON FOUR PICTURES: 'Silver Whistle,' 'Wayward Bus,' 'Finian's Rainbow' and 'Tender Mercy' Are Projects By THOMAS F. BRADY New York Times 30 June 1949: 19.
  8. ↑ Tierney, Boyer Figure in Feldman Film, Plans; Donlevy in India Deal Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times 16 Apr 1949: 11.
  9. ↑ RANDOM NOTES ABOUT PEOPLE AND PICTURES: Jed Harris to Direct Film--Of Bogart And Bacall--Sequel to 'Iwo Jima' B AND B: SEQUEL: BONANZA: By A.H. WEILER. New York Times 5 Feb 1950: 93.
  10. ↑ BY WAY OF REPORT: Last Stop for 'Wayward Bus' By A. H. WEILER. New York Times 27 Jan 1952: X5.
  11. ↑ OF PICTURES AND PEOPLE: Gregory Ratoff Forms Independent Firm For Local Production -- Other Items By A. H. WEILER. New York Times 1 Feb 1953: X5.
  12. ↑ Looking at Hollywood: Story of Levi Pants and How They Grew to Be Told in Film Hopper, Hedda. Chicago Daily Tribune 31 July 1954: 17.
  13. ↑ HESTON KEPT BUSY IN 4 SCREEN ROLES: Completing 2 for Paramount, He Is Set for Films With de Mille and Universal By THOMAS M. PRYOR Special to The New York Times.23 Aug 1954: 21.
  14. ↑ SIX BOOKS BOUGHT FOX FOR FILMS: Purchase From the Feldman Group Includes 'Wayward Bus' by John Steinbeck New York Times 10 Sep 1955: 11.
  15. ↑ Looking at Hollywood: Susan Hayward Gets Star Role in 'The Wayward Bus' Hopper, Hedda. Chicago Daily Tribune 26 May 1956: a4.
  16. ↑ Louella Parsons: Bob Mitchum Signs Big Picture Deal, The Washington Post and Times-Herald 8 June 1956: 32.
  17. ↑ PROBLEMS SLOW ACTIVITY AT FOX: Story and Talent Difficulties Keep Studio from Planned Film Production Record Tony Curtis to Star of Local Origin, By THOMAS M. PRYOR, New York Times, 16 June 1956: 12.
  18. ↑ THE ADULTRESS' WILL BE FILMED: Drama Will Be First of Three by Rouse and Greene for United Artists Release By OSCAR GODBOUT New York Times 29 June 1956: 17.
  19. ↑ Kilgallen: Malden Seeks Schweitzer's Life Story The Washington Post and Times-Herald (9 July 1956: 30.
  20. ↑ FOX NAMES STARS OF 'WAYWARD BUS': Widmark and Gene Tierney to Act in Movie Version of John Steinbeck Novel Welles to Co-Star By THOMAS M. PRYOR New York Times 4 Oct 1956: 29.
  21. ↑ FOX NAMES STARS OF 'WAYWARD BUS': Widmark and Gene Tierney to Act in Movie Version of John Steinbeck Novel Welles to Co-Star by THOMAS M. PRYOR New York Times 4 Oct 1956: 29.
  22. ↑ 'Anne Frank' Is Buddy's Plum of Year by Hedda Hopper. The Washington Post and Times-Herald 11 Nov 1956: H7.
  23. ↑ Looking at Hollywood: Joan Collins Back Home for 'The Wayward Bus' Hopper, Hedda. Chicago Daily Tribune 5 Jan 1957: 12.
  24. ↑ Elliott, Harry (April 15, 1959), "Sparky of Hollywood Breaks Ice at Visit", Lawrence Journal-World, pp. 1, 2
  25. ↑ LATE 'BUS': Steinbeck Novel Filmed After Decade of Delay Acquisition On the Set Remodelled By DOUGLAS ROBINSON. New York Times 24 Mar 1957: 123.
  26. ↑ 'FAIR LADY' TEAM TO JOIN IN MOVIE: Loewe Will Do Score, Lerner Screen Play and Lyrics for 'Gigi' at M-G-M Work for Jayne Mansfield By THOMAS M.PRYOR New York Times 13 Feb 1957: 39.
  27. ↑ Railsback, Brian E.; Michael J. Meyer (2006). A John Steinbeck Encyclopedia. p. 422. ISBN 9780313296697. Retrieved September 3, 2011.
  28. ↑ John Steinbeck (2006). Gary Scharnhorst (ed.). The Wayward Bus(Introduction). ISBN 9781101177198. Retrieved September 3, 2011.
  29. ↑ "Young Actress Scores In Torrid Film Scene", Sarasota Herald-Tribune, United Press International, March 22, 1957
  30. ↑ "Berlin International Film Festival, Awards for 1957(Golden Berlin Bear)". Retrieved September 3, 2011.
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