Bus Riley's Back In Town (1965)

Returning to his hometown after he gets out of the Navy, a young man (Michael Parks) finds that life as he knew it has dramatically changed. He has some major choices to make about his life and career that get complicated when an old flame (Ann-Margret) enters the picture. Written by William Inge (BUS STOP) and directed by Harvey Hart (FORTUNE AND MEN'S EYES). Inge disliked the finished motion picture so much that he had his name taken off it and a pseudonym was given screenplay credit. Indeed, there's almost nothing in the finished film that would indicate that it came from the pen from the man who wrote PICNIC, COME BACK LITTLE SHEBA or SPLENDOR IN THE GRASS. It looks like a cheap (it was shot on the Universal backlot) made for TV movie. The film has no focus and scenes (like the one with Parks and Brad Dexter trying to sell a cleaning system to a housewife played by Alice Pearce) add absolutely nothing to the story and seem like it belongs in another movie. One feels sorry for Ann-Margret who not only has no chemistry with Parks but seems to have been directed to play her part like a cat in heat! No one comes out looking good here, not even the usually reliable Russell Metty (TOUCH OF EVIL) whose cinematography looks muddy. With Janet Margolin, Kim Darby (just awful), Jocelyn Brando, David Carradine, Mimsy Farmer, Nan Martin, Ethel Griffies and Brett Somers.