"Director: Howard Ross (II)"

• On The Buses - Series 1 - Episodes 4 To 7 | DVD | (15/07/2002) from £9.97   |  Saving you £3.01 (43.12%)   |  RRP £9.99

  Set around a London bus depot, On the Buses starred Reg Varney as Stan, an ageing bachelor and driver of the No.11 bus who still lives with his Mum (Cicely Courtneidge), his plain sister Olive (Anna Karen) and disgruntled brother-in-law Arthur (Michael Robbins). At work, he fraternises with the laddish and lecherous Jack (Bob Grant), with whom he pursues innumerable (and improbable) giggly, mini-skirted "clippies" (conductors) and cheeks the beady-eyed and punctilious bus inspector, Blakey (Steven Lewis) This first series was broadcast in black and white in 1969. Much of the comedy derives from gender role reversal--Stan and Arthur forced to do the household chores when Olive and Mum fall ill ("Family Flu"); "The Canteen", in which the busmen decide to run the canteen themselves; or "The Darts Match", in which Stan and Jack are bested at darts by--imagine--a pair of dollybird clippies. Despite its immense popularity, On the Buses hasn't dated well. Like the buses themselves, the jokes don't arrive very often and when they do, they're visible a long way off. The studio audience whoops cathartically at anything remotely alluding to sex, making you wonder at the repressed nature of British society in 1969. In later decades it would come to be treasured as somewhat creaky kitsch by audiences nostalgic for an age of politically incorrect innocence. On the DVD: On the Buses has no extra features here. The original black and white versions have scrubbed up reasonably well, although defects such as fading sound and poor dubbing have proven beyond amendment.--David Stubbs

• On The Buses - Series 2 - Episodes 1 To 3 | DVD | (15/07/2002) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £5.99

  Set around a London bus depot, On the Buses starred Reg Varney as Stan, an ageing bachelor and driver of the No.11 bus who still lives with his Mum (Doris Hare), his plain sister Olive (Anna Karen) and disgruntled brother-in-law Arthur (Michael Robbins). At work, he fraternises with the laddish and lecherous Jack (Bob Grant), with whom he pursues innumerable (and improbable) giggly, mini-skirted "clippies" (conductors) and cheeks the beady-eyed and punctilious bus inspector, Blakey (Steven Lewis) Despite its immense popularity, On the Buses hasn't dated well. Like the buses themselves, the jokes don't arrive very often and when they do, they're visible a long way off. The studio audience whoops cathartically at anything remotely alluding to sex--even a bared male nipple--making you wonder at the repressed nature of British society in 1969. In later decades it would come to be treasured as somewhat creaky kitsch by audiences nostalgic for an age of politically incorrect innocence. On the DVD: On the Buses has no extra features here. The original black and white versions have scrubbed up reasonably well, although defects such as fading sound and poor dubbing have proven beyond amendment. --David Stubbs

• On The Buses - Series 1 - Episodes 1 To 3 | DVD | (15/07/2002) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £9.99

  Set around a London bus depot, On the Buses starred Reg Varney as Stan, an ageing bachelor and driver of the No.11 bus who still lives with his Mum (Cicely Courtneidge), his plain sister Olive (Anna Karen) and disgruntled brother-in-law Arthur (Michael Robbins). At work, he fraternises with the laddish and lecherous Jack (Bob Grant), with whom he pursues innumerable (and improbable) giggly, mini-skirted "clippies" (conductors) and cheeks the beady-eyed and punctilious bus inspector, Blakey (Steven Lewis) This first series was broadcast in black and white in 1969. Much of the comedy derives from gender role reversal--Stan and Arthur forced to do the household chores when Olive and Mum fall ill ("Family Flu"); "The Canteen", in which the busmen decide to run the canteen themselves; or "The Darts Match", in which Stan and Jack are bested at darts by--imagine--a pair of dollybird clippies. Despite its immense popularity, On the Buses hasn't dated well. Like the buses themselves, the jokes don't arrive very often and when they do, they're visible a long way off. The studio audience whoops cathartically at anything remotely alluding to sex, making you wonder at the repressed nature of British society in 1969. In later decades it would come to be treasured as somewhat creaky kitsch by audiences nostalgic for an age of politically incorrect innocence. On the DVD: On the Buses has no extra features here. The original black and white versions have scrubbed up reasonably well, although defects such as fading sound and poor dubbing have proven beyond amendment. --David Stubbs

• On The Buses - The Best Of Series 3 And 4 - Vol. 4 | DVD | (11/08/2003) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £9.99

  Running from 1969 to 1973 On The Buses was one of the most successful comedy series ever made. Re-live the flares and wide collars with the On The Buses crew. 'On the Buses' is British comedy at its best. Starring Reg Varney as jack-the-lad bus driver Stan Bob Grant as his chirpy conductor Jack and Stephen I'll 'ave you Butler! Lewis as the long-suffering dim-witted Inspector Blake who does his best to get the buses out on time while making their lives as miserable as possible. Episode titles: Nowhere To Go The Canteen Girl Dangerous Driving The Other Woman.

• Please Sir! - The Best Of Please Sir! | DVD | (03/02/2003) from £21.28   |  Saving you £8.71 (29.00%)   |  RRP £29.99

  Featuring the best episodes from series 2 and 3. British comedy at its best 'Please Sir' is fondly remembered by an entire generation of TV viewers. Starring John Alderton as the idealistic teacher Bernard Hedges who is put in charge of the worst class ever come back to school and relive the hilarity with 'Please Sir!'. They're Off: Bernard's class is taking his teaching methods a little too seriously when they place a bet based on what he told them in class. Appalled Bernard has to cancel the bet or the school will cancel him! Common Law: Bernard plays detective after Sharon is molested in the park on the way home from school. Prepared to be surprised because you'll be shocked at the identity of the culprit! Panalal Passes: By The first Parent Teacher Association meeting is a failure when only the parents of the new boy Panalal turn up. But when Bernard organises a second PTA meeting it's not the parents who are too lazy to turn up it's the teachers! The Sporting Life: The sports master has resigned and guess who they get to replace him! Unfortunately Bernard's swimming classes descend into chaos as Duffy's terrified of water and Dunstable just can't seem to keep those unusual swimming trunks on. Norman's Conquest: 5c decide to adopt an animal after watching a wildlife preservation programme. The adopted pet is named after Norman but what exactly is it and will it survive 5c? X Certificate: Determined that 5c will not just be the tea boys this Open Day Bernard and the class make a film about the school. It impresses no-one until a second interpretation catches the attention of a passing journalist... The Decent Thing: When Bernard spends a night with Sharon's mother he doesn't bargain on the consequences such as Sharon telling people that her mother is in the club again. Is Bernard about to have his first nervous breakdown? The Generation Gap: Class 5c becomes socially aware and take to promoting care in the community amongst the older residents. Unfortunately it's not necessarily the students who have to be co-operative as Potter finds out with Mr. De'Ath. The School Captain: The newly founded House system at Fenn Street runs into a few teething problems with election rigging and uncooperative students all whilst Bernard is trying to maintain his own reputation as Housemaster. Out Of The Frying Pan: Mrs. Savage has a rather unorthodox attitude towards lunchtime as she forces all of the school to eat in the local pub then resigns much to the confusion of Cromwell - but then he's never tried her cooking! Mixed Doubles: Abbott narrowly avoids a fight with a local yob but still manages to land a brick through a shop window. Maureen confesses her role to Bernard but will he do the right thing and tell the shopkeepers?

• On The Buses - Series 1 and 2 (4 Disc Box Set) | DVD | (12/08/2002) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £29.99

  Set around a London bus depot, On the Buses starred Reg Varney as Stan, an ageing bachelor and driver of the No 11 bus who still lives with his mum (Cicely Courtneidge in the first series, Doris Hare in the second), his plain sister Olive (Anna Karen) and disgruntled brother-in-law Arthur (Michael Robbins). At work, he fraternises with the laddish and lecherous Jack (Bob Grant), with whom he pursues innumerable (and improbable) giggly, mini-skirted "clippies" (conductors) and cheeks the beady-eyed and punctilious bus inspector, Blakey (Steven Lewis) The first series was broadcast in black and white in 1969, and the show eventually ran until 1973. Eventually, On the Buses would be both celebrated and reviled for its leery, pre-feminist sauciness, and for the exasperated gurning of Lewis' little Hitler-esque inspector. The first series in particular, however, is more keen to develop the theme of Stan as Mummy's boy, with Lewis only a secondary character. Much of the comedy derives from gender role reversal--Stan and Arthur forced to do the household chores when Olive and Mum fall ill ("Family Flu"); "The Canteen", in which the busmen decide to run the canteen themselves; or "The Darts Match", in which Stan and Jack are bested at darts by--imagine--a pair of dollybird clippies. Despite its immense popularity, On the Buses hasn't dated well. Like the buses themselves, the jokes don't arrive very often and when they do, they're visible a long way off. The studio audience whoops cathartically at anything remotely alluding to sex--even a bared male nipple--making you wonder at the repressed nature of British society in 1969. In later decades it would come to be treasured as somewhat creaky kitsch by audiences nostalgic for an age of politically incorrect innocence. On the DVD: On the Buses has no extra features here. The original black and white versions have scrubbed up reasonably well, although defects such as fading sound and poor dubbing have proven beyond amendment. --David Stubbs

• On The Buses - The Best Of Series 3 And 4 - Vol. 1 | DVD | (11/08/2003) from £22.96   |  Saving you £-9.98 (N/A%)   |  RRP £9.99

  Running from 1969 to 1973 On The Buses was one of the most successful comedy series ever made. Re-live the flares and wide collars with the On The Buses crew. 'On the Buses' is British comedy at its best. Starring Reg Varney as jack-the-lad bus driver Stan Bob Grant as his chirpy conductor Jack and Stephen I'll 'ave you Butler! Lewis as the long-suffering dim-witted Inspector Blake who does his best to get the buses out on time while making their lives as miserable as possible. Episode titles: First Aid The Cistern Busmen's Perks The Snake.

• On The Buses - Series 2 - Episodes 4 To 6 | DVD | (15/07/2002) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £9.99

  Set around a London bus depot, On the Buses starred Reg Varney as Stan, an ageing bachelor and driver of the No.11 bus who still lives with his Mum (Doris Hare), his plain sister Olive (Anna Karen) and disgruntled brother-in-law Arthur (Michael Robbins). At work, he fraternises with the laddish and lecherous Jack (Bob Grant), with whom he pursues innumerable (and improbable) giggly, mini-skirted "clippies" (conductors) and cheeks the beady-eyed and punctilious bus inspector, Blakey (Steven Lewis) Despite its immense popularity, On the Buses hasn't dated well. Like the buses themselves, the jokes don't arrive very often and when they do, they're visible a long way off. The studio audience whoops cathartically at anything remotely alluding to sex--even a bared male nipple--making you wonder at the repressed nature of British society in 1969. In later decades it would come to be treasured as somewhat creaky kitsch by audiences nostalgic for an age of politically incorrect innocence. On the DVD: On the Buses has no extra features here. The original black and white versions have scrubbed up reasonably well, although defects such as fading sound and poor dubbing have proven beyond amendment. --David Stubbs

• On The Buses - The Best Of Series 3 And 4 - Vol. 3 | DVD | (11/08/2003) from £18.70   |  Saving you £-8.71 (N/A%)   |  RRP £9.99

  Running from 1969 to 1973 On The Buses was one of the most successful comedy series ever made. Re-live the flares and wide collars with the On The Buses crew. 'On the Buses' is British comedy at its best. Starring Reg Varney as jack-the-lad bus driver Stan Bob Grant as his chirpy conductor Jack and Stephen I'll 'ave you Butler! Lewis as the long-suffering dim-witted Inspector Blake who does his best to get the buses out on time while making their lives as miserable as possible. Episode titles: Going Steady The Squeeze On The Make Brew It Yourself.

• On The Buses - The Best Of Series 3 And 4 | DVD | (11/08/2003) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £29.99

  One of the most successful TV series ever made running from 1969 to 1973 'On the Buses' is great British comedy at its best. Starring Reg Varney as jack-the-lad bus driver Stan and Stephen Lewis as the long-suffering dim-witted Inspector Blake ('Blakey') who does his best to get the buses out in time whilst making their lives as miserable as possible.

• On The Buses - The Best Of Series 3 And 4 - Vol. 2 | DVD | (11/08/2003) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £9.99

  Running from 1969 to 1973 On The Buses was one of the most successful comedy series ever made. Re-live the flares and wide collars with the On The Buses crew. 'On the Buses' is British comedy at its best. Starring Reg Varney as jack-the-lad bus driver Stan Bob Grant as his chirpy conductor Jack and Stephen I'll 'ave you Butler! Lewis as the long-suffering dim-witted Inspector Blake who does his best to get the buses out on time while making their lives as miserable as possible. Episode titles: Mum's Last Fling Radio Control Foggy Night The New Uniforms.