Bus Stop
Cowboys Beauregard Decker and Virgil Blessing attend a rodeo in Phoenix, where Decker falls in love with beautiful cafe singer Cherie. He wants to take Cherie back to his native Montana and marry her, but she dreams of traveling to Hollywood and becoming famous. When she resists his advances, Decker forces Cherie onto the bus back to Montana with him, but, when the bus makes an unscheduled stop due to bad weather, the tables are turned.
Critics Sentiment
Bo offers Cherie his coat and helps her onto the bus
Bo ropes Cherie like cattle and forces her onto the Montana bus
The film's largest shift occurs when Bo transforms from an abusive kidnapper to a respectful, apologetic man, with sentiment jumping 4.5 points from his lowest moment to the touching finale.
Bus Stop follows a polarizing sentiment arc that mirrors its protagonist's character development, starting with Monroe's acclaimed performance but quickly diving into uncomfortable territory as Bo's aggressive behavior dominates the middle hour. The film redeems itself in the final act when genuine emotion and character growth replace the earlier stagey comedy, culminating in a genuinely moving conclusion that showcases Monroe's dramatic abilities.
Full cast
Showing 20 of 37
Marilyn Monroe
Cherie
Don Murray
Beauregard 'Bo' Decker
Arthur O'Connell
Virgil Blessing
Betty Field
Grace
Eileen Heckart
Vera
Robert Bray
Carl
Hope Lange
Elma Duckworth
Hans Conried
Life Magazine Photographer
Max Showalter
Life Magazine Reporter
Linda Brace
Evelyn (uncredited)
Mary Carroll
Cashier (uncredited)
J.M. Dunlap
Orville (uncredited)
Ed Fury
Cowboy in Saloon (uncredited)
Buddy Heaton
Clown (uncredited)
Fay L. Ivor
Rodeo Usher (uncredited)
Richard Culvert Johnson
Messenger (uncredited)
Terry Kelman
Gerald (uncredited)
Lucille Knox
Blonde on Street (uncredited)
Pete Logan
Announcer (uncredited)
Kate MacKenna
Elderly Passenger (uncredited)
Crew
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