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Posted by: Bobby May 26 2008, 04:19 PM

In 1956, this romantic comedy was the first movie produced under Marilyn Monroe Productions. Marilyn hand-picked this project as the one that would signal the start of a new era of her life and career, a time that would give her more creative control of her work. She adopted an 'Ozark' accent for the part of Cherie and won a lot of praise for her performance in the picture, which co-starred an unknown actor named Don Murray.

"I didn't have my lipstick on yet!" - My favourite line from the film There are some very funny moments in Bus Stop, as the two lead characters clash head-on with their views on the world and on their lives. Cherie was an adorable character and Marilyn played it so very well, especially the use of the false accent. I will always dislike the corny and unrealistic ending but that's just my own view. The film itself was very enjoyable but I was slightly disappointed by the all-too-familiar 'happy ending'. What did you think?

Posted by: magda24 May 26 2008, 04:38 PM

Ok, i know it's not a common view but I dislike this movie. I find it artifcial and dull and I really, really, can't stand Don Murray's charachter. He's irritating as hell- his stupidity, behaviour etc. He's supposed to be funny and frsh in a wholesome way but I couldn't stand a guy like that. I always had this strange feeling that Cherie would finally become an abused wife (especially as Boo or whatever his name was couldn't even remember her own name). I like Marilyn's performance but it was much bigger than this movie.Josh Logan fails to be a good director.There are some nice close ups but other than that...big dissapointment.

Posted by: Bobby May 26 2008, 04:51 PM

Interesting views. I see what you mean about Beau's characteristics; they're very annoying and for the most part, the character is not very likeable at all. I totally didn't buy that convenient U-turn at the end where he apparently sees the error of his ways; it was all a little too easy and choreographed for me, I just didn't believe it. Having said that though, I think in the rest of the film, Cherie and Beau compliment each other in an interesting way.

I guess what I mean is, I do agree with what you're saying but that the problems you had with the film overall, I had only with the very end.

But opinions are what this forum's all about

Posted by: Kowalczyk May 26 2008, 05:18 PM

I think Bus Stop tried to be both a comedy and a drama and wasn't completely successful. Perhaps Beau's rowdy character and strange methods of persuasion would've worked in a comedy, and the Pride and Prejudice style turn around would've worked in a drama and maybe in some cases they would've come together brilliantly, but I don't think they did in Bus Stop. Not that I think it's a terrible film, it just couldn't decide whether to be funny or whether to have a serious 'message'. By making Beau funny (in his own special way that is ) it made it unrealistic that Cherie (who was supposed to be a bit more... civilised) would go for him... They do compliment each other in a way but not enough to 'go anywhere in the world with [Beau] now' after the three days the film goes through. Perhaps if they'd become friends, or gone out for a date it would've been more believable - but then, that's not Hollywood is it!

God, I hope that makes sense. I think I have a tendency to ramble... Anyway, I also want to say that I think Marilyn acted really well in this movie; it was the rest that let her down.

PS. Bobby, you've been quite busy on the movies forum already haven't you!

Posted by: magda24 May 26 2008, 05:27 PM

You definetely make sense, Angela. These are my exact feelings about this movie- I said I disliked it but perhaps I should have said I was ambivalent.And yes, Bobby was quite busy creating topic (Kudos!) while I was chasing him with my posts:)

Posted by: Kowalczyk May 26 2008, 05:38 PM

Thank you, Magda. I now have to go and look up ambivalent in the dictionary! How embarrassing...

Edit: Also, I agree with what you said about how annoying Beau is.

Posted by: Bobby May 26 2008, 05:39 PM

Females chasing me is very much a new experience! You're more than welcome though, especially if we're talking MM!

Angela, that was a good and well-thought-out post

Posted by: Kowalczyk May 26 2008, 05:40 PM

Why, thank you ever so! Yours was just elegant yourself.

Posted by: Tara May 26 2008, 07:03 PM

I love Marilyn's performance as Cherie, she is sheer perfection. I would recommend any young actress starting out in film to watch it again and again, because it's a masterclass in screen acting. I don't think she puts a foot wrong here. Logan had faith in her ability, he gave her the chance to act her socks off and it really paid off. The film itself is dated of course, and the attitudes to sex and marriage are not exactly PC. The ending makes no sense, I'll admit.

But I like it that it's not a high-glamour movie as Marilyn's previous efforts were, but a little slice of everyday life. The women's performances are far better than the men's for some reason. I read the play recently and it's quite different, Cherie and Bo's story is just one part of it and in some ways that's better. But of course we wouldn't have seen so much of Marilyn if it had stayed that way. It changed from an ensemble piece to a star vehicle, and it was about time she got one. I'll never forgive Hollywood for not giving her an Oscar, or at least a nomination.

Posted by: Bobby May 26 2008, 07:07 PM

Here's a question: do you think Marilyn was more deserving of an Oscar nomination for Bus Stop than for TPATS?

Posted by: Tara May 26 2008, 07:25 PM

Personally, yes I do. But she was great in TPATSG as well.

Posted by: magda24 May 26 2008, 07:30 PM

It's a tough one but I decide for TPATS. I don't know why, she just touched my heart in this movie. But she had no chances, being comedienne and sexy one. Actually I think Marilyn deserved Oscars for 4 movies in her career: TPATS, Bus Stop, SLIH and Misfits. And they in ACADEMY knew nothing about acting not even having her nominated. Period.

Posted by: Lacrymosa May 26 2008, 08:28 PM

Her best performance to me, she's so heartbreaking in some scenes. The only thing you want to do when watching at this movie is to hold her in your arms and protect her forever.

Posted by: mmmMarilyn May 26 2008, 08:38 PM

I pretty much sob every time she gives her " I want a guy who..." speech on the bus, she's so heartbreaking and tender--and in the final scenes, the close-ups where she and Beau and about to kiss, are just INSANE! She looks so perfect in them, they both look so tender (because I agree that he's a little TOO over-the-top in the film although that's how he's supposed to be) but anyway, those moments are my favorites.

Posted by: filthy22 May 26 2008, 08:44 PM

It's a very long time since I watched bus stop, but I agree with you that I find Don Murray's character annoying. He really put me off the film, although Marilyn was wonderful of course!

Posted by: lorileime May 27 2008, 12:50 AM

I agree that the ending of Bus Stop is unrealistic. Overall, I like the movie and I love, love, love Marilyn's performance. She really showed what she was capable of as a dramatic actor in this film. She is sweet and tender and vulnerable and real. But as you've all mentioned the story line is not fleshed out enough and it ends up so predicably. Overall, I love to watch this film purely for Marilyn's sake. As Tara said, it should be watched by every aspiring actor. She really understood what Cherie was feeling in this film. As far as an Academy Award Nomination, I once read that Marilyn herself was incensed at the fact that the 'I wanna man" scene was cut short and that not only the character was cut down in breath and scope, buy her performance was pratcially wrecked by the way the final scene was edited and shown. I would love to see the extra footage that she was so proud of. She thought that if that scene would have been left intact, it would have, at least, given her a chance at a nomination. For me, I think a nomination would have been justified anyway.

Posted by: Katri^ May 27 2008, 11:02 AM

I love this film : ) I was pretty stunned when I first watched Bus stop! Marilyn's performance is amazing. Cherie must be one of my favorite characters, too, and the accent is wonderful! : D
Cherie might not be a very good singer, so when I was watching this ( a long time ago), and she started singing, my dad came and said something like "There's nothing special in her, she can't even sing!". Well, it shows that she could do that role too very well!

If I'd have to decide from which movie Marilyn would have deserved an Oscar, it would be Bus stop. Though she did a great job in TPATSG, too!
A big part of her being so great in this film, was, like Tara said, because Logan had faith in her. And that I think encouraged Marilyn very much. She really gave everything she got for this part.

Posted by: abeautifulchild May 28 2008, 03:00 AM

Marilyn absolutely deserved an oscar for Bus Stop! Her Cherie was so real and yet so subtle. Everything down to her choice of costumes to the Ozark drawl and the terrible singing was just excellent and so right for Cherie. Of course, and again, Marilyn outshined everyone in this movie. I agree that Don Murray was annoying, I can't stand watching him on the screen or hearing him talk (yell) but of course, as it was with Olivier in TPATSG, that was the character not the actor. I found the storyline to be unrealistic and corny at the end too. I really thought that the only realistic part of the movie WAS the character of Cherie- I mean it happens all the time, a country girl from a small town wants to be a movie star! But all the rest of it, for instance like how Beau somehow manages to basically kidnap Cherie without anyone interfering for that long, is ridiculous and not very believeable. Frankly, I just love this film because of Marilyn's performance- I too think that she was her best in this as far as drama goes. And as always Marilyn was gorgeous!- can't leave that out. Like everyone else I do SO wish that they didn't cut any of Marilyn's scenes.

Posted by: bruno May 30 2008, 09:11 PM

I personnaly don't like at all this movie : I think Marilyn's acting is awfully complicated, heavy, un-natural, and she seems to carefully apply all what she has learned from the actor's studio : not an inch of spontaneity. Furthermore, she is once again the dumb blonde she did not want to portray anylonger, so the whole thing is unlogical and mystery for me. Her hair looks terrible too...
Everything is predictable in it, and the humor is every thing but light. a complte failure in my opinion. Sorry friends to be so negative, but what a disappointment !

Posted by: arsena1 May 31 2008, 01:29 PM

Couldn't of said it any better. It's very true that the two genres comedy and drama do mix well, but in this instance somewhat failed to prosper. I believe though eventhough the plot was very one dimensional, I was more drawn to the characters and while watching the movie I became more caught up in wondering what the characters were doing instead of completely following the story. Marilyn's performance was phenomenal and I really enjoyed Beau's 'boisterous' act lol.

So, yes Bus Stop didn't have the most diligent plot, aspiring to be one of the best we've seen with films in the 50's/60's but the characterisation was in my opinion done very well

Posted by: JanCollector Jun 1 2008, 05:14 PM

Don Murray needed to take it down a notch (or twenty). A truly horrible performance and it's ludicrous that he (and not Marilyn) was nominated for an Oscar.

Posted by: lorelei Jun 1 2008, 06:31 PM

I did'n know he was nominated for an Oscar!!! I feel shocked!

Posted by: abeautifulchild Jun 1 2008, 06:33 PM

No kidding. God, that makes me angry! Why in hell did the Academy snub her like that?! And Don Murray was an unknown too...

Ugh

Posted by: dwane Jun 1 2008, 06:45 PM

i really love this movie and don murray is one of my favorite leading men from marilyn's movies.

Posted by: AdoreMarilynMonroe Jun 1 2008, 07:54 PM

I think Marilyn shows a lot of maturity as an actress in this movie. There is a scene on the bus where her character describes her history with men & the way she would like to be treated by a man. That scene gives me chills. Also the final scenes of the film are fantastic, Marilyn does some incredible work. The emotion in her whole being is fabulous, those closeups are heartwrenching.

I just wish I could enjoy Don Murray's performance in this film. But his character is so immature and obnoxious, I can not root for a romance between the two characters. Everytime I get to the end, I want Cherie to tell him she won't marry him.

It's just for me, he treats her badly the whole film and there's nothing charming or endearing that makes me as a woman think "Yes, this is the one I want to marry." I think if they had worked on showing more of a relationship building before his 2 minute apology at the end, the film would have been better. Even with socal moral of the time, I can't see that many women being charmed by his character. It is a shame, because I really enjoy Marilyn in it.

Posted by: lorileime Jun 3 2008, 05:21 PM

A very funny story. I told a friend that MM's birthday was on June 1st, so she went to the video store to rent GPB. They didn't have it, but she got Bus Stop. She said she hadn't seen any MM films so this was a first for her. Here's what she emailed to me: I liked Bus Stop. HOWEVER, what is poor Cherie going to do married to that utter lunkhead!! I wanted her to marry Virge. I think the sequel is, she leaves stupid Bo, comes back to the Bus Stop, marries Virge, they adopt the 2 kids, live with Grace & Carl happily ever after. Bo gets gored by a Brahma bull, not killed just incapacitated and has to live with himself forever.

Loved Black Magic, loved the landscapes, loved Marilyn, Vera and Grace. I enjoyed the parade and I even kind of liked the rodeo stuff. But Bo was totally detestable.



Me again:
If it's that obvious, why didn't they see back then that Don Murray was an idiot? I don't get it.

Posted by: Kowalczyk Jun 4 2008, 05:44 PM

A bit of a silly point from me, but don't you love when Marilyn gives Beau that little wink/smile during 'Black Magic'?

Posted by: mmmMarilyn Jun 4 2008, 06:34 PM

YES YES YES! That is one of my favorite movie moments--there is something so natural about that smile--it is without her "trick" of lowering the upper lip or whatever that was-- so it is just big and bright and cute, like the one she gives "Daphne" after he covers her back about the alcohol in SLIH. So precious!

Posted by: Kowalczyk Jun 4 2008, 07:14 PM

Yes, I love that one too!

Posted by: bruno Jun 4 2008, 07:32 PM

...but aren't you bothered at all by the fact that she is again a completely dumb blonde in this movie ???
Sorry not to follow the majority, but that really makes me angry that she couldn't get read of that component from her character.

She could have portrayed a lost, desenchanted, sad, touching personality, and yet with sobriety.
Here I just find a very affected, complicated, and girlish way of behaving, in almost every scene.
And I know for sure she could have done it soberly, because that is how she was in real life, when the camera was off -a remembrance from Don Murray himself...
Sorry again for not sharing your opinion, but that is also why forum exist !

Posted by: AdoreMarilynMonroe Jun 6 2008, 06:23 AM

LOL! Maybe it was the fact that this was his first major role? I don't know, I've never really understood it.
The email your friend sent was nice, in that it's not just the diehard Marilyn fans who struggle with his character.

Posted by: meztisa Jun 7 2008, 12:51 PM

Going to offset, didn't Don Murray and Marilyn not get along? Supposedly she accidentally cut him in the eye during a hand gesture.

Posted by: lorileime Jun 7 2008, 06:17 PM

Yes, I think you're right about they didn't get along, or at least Marilyn didn't like him. I remember a story about the scene where she's in bed and he comes 'bustin in like a wild Indian". Her line was, "Nine o'clock! I didn't even get to bed til five." And his line was supposed to be, "Five o'clock, well no wunder yur so pale and white." But he kept saying, 'No wunder yur so pale and scaley' and Marilyn kept getting more and more annoyed with him not being able to remember his line. Supposedly she said something to the effect that he kept mistakenly saying scaley because it was a Freudian slip and he was subconciously referring to something snake-like (hence the scales) which in actuality was a reference to his penis, which to her was an affront because he was trying to assert his masculinity to establish himself as dominant. Something to that effect. I don't remember completely, but she was not pleased with it at all.

Posted by: Elsie Marina Jun 17 2008, 05:53 PM

Oh wow I had never heart that story before loreleime!

On the same scene the way she said she "didn't even get to bed till 5" to me was one of the best pieces of acting, the tone of her voice just perfectly surmises the agony of getting woken up way too early.

Posted by: abeautifulchild Jun 17 2008, 05:57 PM

My little brother is ten. Because of me, he's seen practically all of Marilyn's movies- but Bus Stop is his favorite

Posted by: Elsie Marina Jun 17 2008, 05:58 PM

Aw that is so cute!

Posted by: abeautifulchild Jun 17 2008, 06:00 PM

Heehee.

Actually, I think the reason why he liked it is because Marilyn was so 'real' in her performance.

He doesn't like her breathy voice in her more famous roles

Posted by: Elsie Marina Jun 17 2008, 06:02 PM

Tsk. Have you tried brainwashing him? Playing GPB next to him while he sleeps?

Posted by: abeautifulchild Jun 17 2008, 06:09 PM

Posted by: Elsie Marina Jun 17 2008, 06:09 PM

It's worth a try!

Posted by: Tara Jun 17 2008, 07:45 PM

Cherie is not a very bright girl, that's how she was written. She has big dreams but lacks the talent or shrewdness to achieve them, and typically of the 1950s movie, the solution to her problems is to find a husband. In that sense it is not a big departure from some of Marilyn's earlier roles, except that it's depicted more realistically and sympathetically this time. But emotionally, Cherie is more mature than Bo and has more understanding of life and human nature. That is the true complexity of the role, which doesn't exist in Pola or Lorelei. Cherie has a past and an emotional history. It wasn't just about looking gorgeous and being funny anymore. Personally, I do think Marilyn captures the lost, sad quality of Cherie marvellously, given the limitations of the story. The direction is quite stagy and after all, it was adapted from a play. Once I got past that dated aspect of the movie, I found Marilyn's performance to be one of her finest artistically - though the film itself is quite average.

I totally respect your opinion though Bruno, and it's interesting to hear all the different responses to Bus Stop. If we all thought the same way about everything, life would be very dull!

Posted by: Kowalczyk Jun 17 2008, 08:03 PM

Fantastic post Tara.

Posted by: bruno Jun 27 2008, 05:24 PM

Yes, a real good post, I agree !(total respect too, from my side).
However, what bothers me is that the exaggeratedly simpering manners and silly quotes are in total contradiction with Marilyn's public intention to play serious - and "normal brained" people.
I do not see at all a realistic performance, but something very sophisticated, and may be a way to escape from her desired trajectory, like if she herself felt was not that ready yet to do it. That would make Marilyn probably even more human (if it is possible !), but not the Cherie character.

Posted by: Kowalczyk Jun 27 2008, 07:59 PM

Do you think maybe Cherie was a compromise? Like a compromise between the sweet but simple dumb blondes she played previously and the more serious roles, where her character's had a background and complexity, she intended to play in future? (May just be rambling here but thought I'd bring it up. )

Posted by: bruno Jun 27 2008, 08:08 PM

Well, I did not think it up this way, but that could be very true !
May be it was meant to make a transition. I don't know, really, and it is for me one big mystery in her career.

Posted by: Alanma Sep 27 2008, 01:56 PM

Didn't know whether to put this here or 'book club'.
Have a look there. Abebooks have some of the paperback that accompanied the original release.

Posted by: lorileime Oct 1 2008, 09:03 PM

I have just begun preliminarily gathering some items that I will need to make my next doll scene which is from Bus Stop. I was watching the clip of the scene I'm doing over and over so I could focus on the little details in the room and I noticed something that I had never seen before. When Marilyn is first seen in this movie, she's in her 'dressing' room at the Blue Dragon. She is talking to the waitress about when she entered a talent contest and she came in second to a couple of fellas jug'lin milk bottles. As she's talking there are two very quick seconds where you can see that her robe is safety pinned at the top so that it doesn't open while she's jesterin' with her hands. Just thought I'd add that in.

Posted by: Bobby Oct 2 2008, 11:23 AM

I certainly hadn't noticed that; well spotted Tony. Please consider taking photos of your scene once you've got it set up.

In that scene, I really like the enthusiasm with which Cherie/Marilyn tells her friend (the name escapes me) that she's going to "Hollywood an' Viiine!"

Posted by: lorileime Oct 9 2008, 02:03 AM

So, I'm still watching and rewatching the scenes in Bus Stop that I need for my doll scene and I just went a little futher because, well, because I just wanted to watch a little more and guess what else I just discovered about this movie. Cherie was a smoker. On her night stand next to the bed when Beau breaks in to wake her up to take her to the parade, there is a pack of cigarettes and a pack of matches. I wonder why they didn't show her actually smoking in the movie. It would have given the character a little more depth and history to see that. I don't advocate it, but it would have helped in character development maybe.
And, I have a theory about the song That Old Black Magic. I think that it's never been available on an audio format because it wasn't recorded separately from the movie. I think she actually sang it as she performed it. Does anyone know if that might be true?

Posted by: madmouth Mar 16 2009, 03:28 AM

This film was uncomfortable to watch. It didn't come off the way the production team intended it to, largely b/c the male lead wasn't a humorous bumpkin but a bomb about to explode and a wifebeater in the making. there was nothing funny about him; he was truly frightening. Marylin gave one of her best performances in "Bus Stop", however; 'Cherie' seemed to have been full of Marylin's own bleeding instability. It was a scary glimpse into the heart of a very disturbed and profoundly moving woman.

Posted by: Bobby Aug 4 2009, 07:56 PM

I have a quick question that I've wondered about for a long while. How much say did Marilyn have in the casting of Don Murray?

Thanks in advance

Posted by: magda24 Aug 11 2009, 06:49 PM

It was Joshua Logan that chose Murray after he had seen him in a stage production. Marilyn was apparently not so happy about this choice, especially that Murray had no previous experience in movie industry and was younger than her, which made her uncomfortable. It seems she didn't have much to say or maybe she was willing to trust Logan in the beginning. I think the total lack of chemistry between Murray and Monroe, along with a Don's overacting and Logan's bad directing is one of the main reasons Bus Stop falls short of a masterpiece it could have been.

Posted by: Bobby Aug 16 2009, 11:55 AM

Thank you for your intelligent response, Magda. I think though, that Don's (albeit annoying) acting in the film probably fit the part of the boisterous and uncouth Beau. But I wouldn't disagree about Josh Logan's direction. The climatic scene in particular - with the very close closeups - seemed convoluted at best.

Thanks again for your post though. I'd have thought Marilyn would have had a bigger say in her leading man as she did for TPATS and LML later on. Ah well.

Posted by: magda24 Aug 18 2009, 06:52 PM

Thanks and you're welcome:)

Posted by: Paju Oct 19 2010, 09:11 PM

I just watched this movie again last week and realized I hadn't posted anything about it. This is actually one of my favorite MM movies, and was among the first three movies (GPB and SYI being the two others) I saw. I'm guessing I was about 8 when I first saw Bus Stop. When I was younger, I didn't notice Cherie's lack of certain kind of intelligence or Bo's bordering-on-abusive manners. I actually thought Bo's behavior was funny because people really don't treat each other like that (or so I thought). Maybe that was partly intended as well.

I absolutely adore Marilyn as Cherie, even more each time I watch the movie. Everything about her is perfect. I also like the other women - especially Grace and Vera. Other supporting characters are good as well and different enough from each other. Bo was a bit annoying, but being the romantic that I am, I believe that Cherie and the others manage to help him understand something and that he changes in the end of the movie. He's young and he had to learn. I have always loved the end of the movie. What Cherie really wants is to find a good place in the world, and since Bo has changed for better I believe he can provide that for her. Have you ever thought of what might have happened to someone like Cherie had she reached her beloved "Hollywood & Vine"?

My favorite things and scenes have a lot to do with Marilyn. Without her, the movie would not have been nearly as good as it is now. I have always loved the scene where Bo rips Cherie's tail and she gets angry. Marilyn just holds the movie together and makes it interesting. No-one could have been a better Cherie.

Posted by: sugarkane20 Jan 9 2011, 01:28 AM

What outfits did Billy design for this movie? I always see his named mentioned for this movie, didn't Marilyn wear used clothes?

Posted by: CYRILPARIS Nov 5 2011, 05:36 PM

from Marilyn Monroe Metamorphosis by David Wills and Stephen Schmidt

Posted by: Diamond Dec 25 2012, 12:41 PM

Don't have it on DVD yet but I've seen it on internet one day!
Marilyn really impressed me in this film, she's so ... (I think there's no word to express my feeling in every movie )

Posted by: flowing stream Jul 21 2013, 12:12 PM

Hi all,
Have just been informed by the seller that my copy of Bus Stop on Blu Ray as been shipped! The original release date was supposed to be 30 July. So they got it out earlier! Yay!!!!

Posted by: marilyn144 Aug 2 2013, 06:32 AM

Blu-Ray !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! .

Posted by: marilyn144 Aug 3 2013, 04:48 AM

hope you like it.!!!

Posted by: bruno Aug 25 2013, 07:05 PM

Thanks a lot, the difference between the B-Ray and the standard DVD version is very visible.

Posted by: Stacy Jan 28 2019, 07:50 AM

Posted by: Fav May 10 2020, 04:13 PM

I just found out that Milton and Marilyn wanted Rock Hudson to play Don Murrays part in this movie and Rock turned it down because Milton had once turned down photographing him for Life magazine. It's at about 23 or 24 minutes in here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uc_3SYInn9g&t=1500s Imagine how different it would have been with Rock Hudson in it.

Posted by: JC 96816 May 11 2020, 06:53 AM

Stacy, fixed this one up for you. and made a black and white...adding it in Bus Stop...I upscaled it but it would not attach here.