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Bus Riley's Back in Town Review: Maybe if William Inge's original screenplay hadn't been worked over by other hands, Bus Riley's Back in Town might have been an absorbing character study of a man caught in a small town where he really doesn't belong. Unfortunately, we can only judge what ultimately made it up on the screen, which is essentially a sloppy, tawdry little melodrama full of clichés and trite dialogue rather than the incisive tale that it might have been. Rumor has it that Inge took his name off the screenplay because other writers not only rewrote his material but totally changed the emphasis, building up the part played by Ann-Margret from a small featured part into a starring role that throws the story out of balance. This certainly seems to be true, for Ann-Margret's character has far more to due than seems necessary, and her actions are so often so unmotivated as to support the case that she was put into scenes only to increase her screen time. This has a terrible effect on the story itself, essentially ruining it, but matters are worsened by the fact that the talented Ann-Margret herself disappoints this time out. Her sex kitten routine comes across as rather mechanical and her acting in general is not good. She's still sexy as all get out: it's just all for show. In the title role, Michael Parks is dull and mannered, but Janet Margolin does very well as Judy. The supporting cast is generally fine. Director Harvey Hart makes an effort to create some visual interest, but he can't take the disjointed story and make it work. Craig Butler, All Movie Guide

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