John Steinbeck's The Wayward Bus (1957)

I was concerned that because the release was limited to 3000 copies that the quality of the copy might be poor. The quality of the was excellent. The movie is very good.

Definitely loosely based on the Steinbeck novel but a great film nonetheless.... Mansfield and Collins are terrific hanging around with a cast of great B-movie character actors who hold the whole thing together. The fact that the little bus is named Sweetheart is enough to give the film a "Steinbeck" feel and the b/w 'scope picture is fantastic while the audio works very well on this blu-ray. The overall story is a little thin, but it all works out in the end.... I was surprised that the bus even survived the extra excitement the was thrown in to fill in some of the rough spots in the script, but all in all a great film which should be more known than it is....

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Based on John Steinbeck's novel of the same name, THE WAYWARD BUS (20th Century Fox, 1957) is one of those worthwhile films that gets unjustly overlooked because of its modest production. It's also relatively unknown today because it rarely gets played, even on stations like TCM. This is a shame, as it really is a fine film with an intimate, character driven story, excellent direction, vivid performances and great black and white cinematography. It's also a fitting showcase for the underrated acting talents of the era's other famous blonde bombshell, Jayne Mansfield.

The film is quite faithful to Steinbeck's novel about a group of travelers on a bus trip from the remote California town of Rebel Corners to San Juan, and the various perils and personal conflicts they encounter along the way. Although it was directed by the virtually inexperienced Victor Vicas, THE WAYWARD BUS looks like it was helmed by a pro who really knows his craft. The composition of people and objects within the frame shows a deft handling of Cinemascope's wide aspect ratio. Despite the low budget, scenes involving a rockslide, a raging storm and a hazardous bridge crossing that combines miniatures, process photography and live action are neatly pulled off.

What keeps the movie riding along is the offbeat, human drama played out by all the characters. Joan Collins, Jayne Mansfield and Dan Dailey share billing above the title, and they deliver solid performances that rank among their very best. The put upon bus driver is well played by newcomer Rick Jason in a role originally intended for Marlon Brando. Collins is Jason's alcoholic wife and owner of a roadside diner, Mansfield is a stripper trying to keep a low profile about what she does for a living, and Dailey is a fast working salesman who is on the make for her. The other passengers include an elderly couple with a nympho daughter, two lovestruck teenagers and a cranky, back-seat driving old man. The film manages to effectively depict themes of moral hypocrisy and the deception of mere appearance all within a tight, 89 minute running time.

I've been wanting to see this elusive movie for years, especially since I heard how good Jayne Mansfield is in it. As a Mansfield collector, when I saw THE WAYWARD BUS was available on Blu-ray I didn't hesitate in purchasing it. I'm happy to say that it was a choice I don't regret. Twilight Time's release is absolutely stunning. The transfer is nothing short of flawless; details jump out with amazing clarity, blacks are deep, whites are vibrant, with creamy grays in between. This is the way to present black and white in HD. The disc is a bit pricey but definitely worth it. Special features include an isolated music track, audio commentary by film historians Alain Silver and James Ursini, the original theatrical trailer and an illustrated booklet with liner notes by Julie Kirgo.

For Mansfield fans, this release of THE WAYWARD BUS is a must own, hands down. For others interested in film adaptations of Steinbeck's work, you won't be disappointed. I would encourage quality conscious collectors to pay attention to Twilight Time they put out an exceptional product.

Highly recommended.

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