The Buddy Holly Story (1978)

User Rating:

7.2/10   

Director:

Steve Rash

Writers:

Alan Swyer (story)
John Goldrosen (source material "Buddy Holly His Life and Music")

Release Date:

3 November 1978 (Finland)

Genre:

Biography | Drama | Music

Tagline:

Music never felt this good.

Plot:

A film about the life and career of the early rock and roll star.

Plot Keywords:

Star | Song | Rock Music | Blizzard | Rock Star

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 2 wins & 3 nominations

Cast

Gary Busey	...	Buddy
Don Stroud	...	Jesse
Charles Martin Smith	...	Ray Bob
Conrad Janis	...	Ross Turner
William Jordan	...	Riley
Maria Richwine	...	Maria Elena
Amy Johnston	...	Cindy Lou
Dick O'Neill	...	Sol Gittler (as Dick O'Neil)
Fred Travalena	...	Madman Mancuso
Neva Patterson	...	Mrs. Holly
Arch Johnson	...	Mr. Holly
John F. Goff	...	T.J. (as John Goff)
Gloria Irizarry	...	Mrs. Santiago
Jody Berry	...	Engineer Sam
Richard Kennedy	...	Preacher

Runtime:

113 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

4-Track Stereo

Certification:

West Germany:o.Al. | Australia:PG | Netherlands:AL | Finland:K-12 | UK:PG | USA:PG | Canada:PG

Filming Locations:

Biltmore Hotel - 506 S. Grand Avenue, Downtown, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

ECA

Trivia:

Also according to Busey and Director Steve Rash, the scene at the roller rink after the band's first rock number in which the extras clapped and cheered was an unexpected reaction to their performance. As you can see in the film, Busey, Smith, and Stroud sort of lose their place and start nervously laughing.

Goofs:

Factual errors: Buddy never toured with Sam Cooke.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Buddy Holly: Hey, Riley, we're all plugged in and checked up... yeah, we're ready.
Buddy Holly: [to Ray Bob] Riley wants to hear you at the mike - that's the one right there; say somethin' into that mike.
Ray Bob Simmons: One, two, three, testing... one...
Buddy Holly: [to Riley] How's that sound?
Riley Randolph: All right, that's a good level, Buddy, hold it right there... Yeah, you better get ready, it's about thirty seconds till eight.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Comedy Central Roast of Larry the Cable Guy (2009) (TV)

Soundtrack:

True Love Ways

Busey's Best

At times, you forget that you are watching Gary Busey play Buddy Holly and start to think that you are really watching Buddy Holly! Besides the terrific acting, Busey is really singing and playing the guitar when on stage. The movie is made as real as a documentary. Like snap shots from his life, the Buddy Holly Story is just that, Buddy Holly's story.