The film BUS STOP is more "staged" than PICNIC the film, and much more dependent on dialogue. All the action in BUS STOP takes place in a few settings including a Montana bus stop, but if you appreciate clever dialogue you won't be disappointed.

Don Murray plays a young man who was orphaned and raised by a friend of his father who is the foreman of the ranch Don inherited on his father's death. Don has spent his whole life living on his ranch and all he wants to do is smooze with horses and cattle. One day, his mentor-guide-friend-foreman suggests since Don has "come of age" i.e. reached manhood, he needs to broaden his scope, get out in the world and maybe even marry. The two plan a trip to the big city (Helena in the 1950s?).

In the "big city" Don's mentor exposes him to many things--shops where he can buy new duds, city food, and city night life which consists of a visit to a local honky-tonk/saloon where the fabulous Cherie (Marilyn Monroe) is playing. Cherie is a woman with a past, a long, long past. She's about the same age as Don, but she is much more worldly. Don, who has seen few if any other women, thinks she is the most beautiful girl in the world and he falls for her in a big way. He decides he wants to marry her and take her home to the ranch. She wants no part of this ignorant young cowboy whom she thinks is drunk or crazy, but the earnest young Don will not take no for an answer. Through a series of misadventures, Cherie, Don and the foreman-friend end up stuck in a Montana bus stop in a blizzard--where most of the "action" takes place.

Cherie is still in her costume from the honky-tonk (she left her dressing room under duress) and plenty cold since her outfit leaves little to the imagination. It mostly consists of a bathing-suit like covering which accentuates Marilyn's charms and a long train which Cherie calls a tail. Marilyn spent the whole movie in this outfit and I think it is in a costume museum somewhere. As Don hops back and forth around Cherie, trying to persuade her to come with him to the ranch and be his wife (the foreman-friend who heartily disapproves of Cherie has already told Don he must let her go), Cherie yells "Stop stepping on my tail."

BUS STOP is not an action tale, it is a love story, so women will enjoy it more than the men (well maybe). Don Murray was perfect for his part--the naif, and Marilyn was perfect as the jaded young honky-tonk singer. If you like 1950s stage-screen plays, stories with a country-western theme (right out of a Merle Haggard song), and lots of good dialogue, this is a winner. And, anyone who thinks Marilyn was a dumb blonde better guess again.


Marilyn Is The Best, But...   May 23, 2001
 5 out of 6 found this review helpful

I want to start by saying that I absolutely love Marilyn Monroe and she did an excellent job in this movie as in all her movies. I had to give it 4 stars just because she's in it. However, Don Murray, who plays the male lead, in my opinion, ruined it. He is so corny and often downright annoying. He overacts the part and is very unrealistic. I mean, sure he's a cowboy, but a cowboy can be manly and romantic. He is neither. But if you can get past that, the movie is amusing and Marilyn shines. I enjoyed watching it just because it's funny to see her using a hillbilly accent. She actually does it pretty well. If you're a Marilyn fan you will probably enjoy this and want to add it to your collection. Otherwise it may be a little too corny for you. I personally plan to buy it to add to my collection. It is nice that it is coming out on DVD since it is very hard to get on video anymore.


"BUS STOP"   February 12, 2001
 3 out of 5 found this review helpful

I found "Bus Stop" one of Monroe's finest pictures. The movie should be considered her first true display in a "comedic/dramatic" role portraying "Cherie" the "Chanteuse". This movie is a true classic; it was the first movie that proved to the executives at Twentieth Century Fox that Marilyn Monroe could finally stand alone and form her own Production Company,i.e., "Marilyn Monroe Productions", which "Bus Stop" became its first production. Monroe showed the executives at Twentieth Century Fox, film critics and the whole viewing public of the world that she could finally star and portray in films that her character(s) had profound depth and emotion and not just the "dumb blonde image" that most of the public would reflect upon her acting roles. An important "foot-note" regarding this film, is that it was a "pivotal" change in Monroe's acting studies, in that she was studying under the "Actor's Studio" in New York under the guidance and tutelege of Lee Strasberg and the "Method" Acting System. A case in point, Monroe's memorable rendition of "That Ole' Black Magic", with the slight "off-key" "hill-billie" accent shows that she was immersed in her portrayal of "Cherie" a third class saloon performer. Her co-star Don Murray did a fine performance as "Bo" her innocent, rowdy, cowboy-rodeo contestant and inexperienced, "husband-to-be" persuer. All-in-all, "Bus Stop" should be classed as a must film to have for all Marilyn Monroe afficionadoes, and classic movie collections. It's one of my favorites!


This is wonderful!   January 9, 2001
What a great movie! Don Murray is perfect in the role of Beau and Marilyn Monroe is, well, awesome. If you ever wonder why some people become legends, she shows in this film why she is one. When she is on the screen, you don't look at anyone else! She is touching, beautiful, sexy - she's got it all. The rest of the cast is excellent as well, but you'll remember the 2 leads forever.


MARILYN IS OUR CHERIE   January 5, 2001
 5 out of 6 found this review helpful

We've got to admit that this kind of material belongs to the theater.However the casting of DON MURRAY in a real far out character and MARILYN MONROE as a dancer works surprizingly well.The saloon scene with MARILYN singing the 1942 MERCER classic THAT OLD BLACK MAGIC is fun.The fighting match in the snow is a real audience rouser.Perhaps one can say that the character that MURRAY plays seems rather unappealing and rather unbelievable.To resume the story simply, it's a youngman from the country who becomes a man when he discovers sex the first time he sees CHERIE.