Watch Runaway Bus

Runaway Bus is a British comedy film from 1954, directed by Val Guest and starring Frankie Howerd, Margaret Rutherford, and Petula Clark. The film tells the story of a group of travelers who find themselves on a dangerous journey when their bus driver, accidentally killed, is replaced by a motor racing enthusiast, who loses control of the vehicle, causing it to race out of control through the streets of London.

The film's plot centers around a group of passengers who board a bus in London, all with different reasons for taking the journey. There's Luigi (George Coulouris), a shady art dealer, and his assistant, Rosa (Lana Morris), who are transporting a valuable painting; the eccentric Miss Cynthia Beeston (Margaret Rutherford), who is on her way to a job interview for a position as a governess; and Petula Clark in a supporting role as the young daughter of one of the passengers.

The bus driver, Stan (Frankie Howerd), is a bumbling and nervous man who is prone to accidents. Things take a turn for the worse when the bus driver is killed in a freak accident while trying to retrieve a cat from the engine. The passengers and conductor Cpt. Purkiss (Raymond Huntley) are stranded on the side of the road with no driver in sight, until they are rescued by an unexpected hero: Tom (Terence Alexander), a dashing young racing driver who happens upon them while he's out for a spin in his sports car.

Tom agrees to drive the bus to its destination, but things quickly spiral out of control when he starts swerving through the streets at high speeds, with the terrified passengers and Cpt. Purkiss clinging on for dear life. The action really heats up when Tom realizes that he's running out of fuel, and needs to make a risky pit stop at a local petrol station, where things go from bad to worse.

As the bus hurtles through the streets of London, the passengers find themselves in increasingly absurd and dangerous situations, including careering through a department store, a circus, and a tunnel, with hilarious results. Along the way, we see the passengers interact with each other, forming unexpected connections and friendships as they bond over their shared predicament.

Despite its simplistic plot and somewhat dated humor, Runaway Bus remains a charming and entertaining film to this day, largely due to the performances of its talented cast. Frankie Howerd, in particular, shines as the hapless bus driver, providing plenty of comic relief with his trademark mannerisms and delivery. Margaret Rutherford is equally memorable as the eccentric Miss Beeston, who steals many scenes with her hilariously quaky voice and imposing stature.

Although it's not a film that will leave a lasting impact on viewers, Runaway Bus is a fun and quirky romp that's perfect for a lazy afternoon or evening in. It's a nostalgic look back at a simpler time in cinema, before the advent of CGI and high-speed chases. It's a film that celebrates the joy of simple pleasures and the importance of camaraderie, making it a great choice for audiences of all ages.

Runaway Bus is a 2009 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 14 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.1.