The Buddy Holly Story

 

Moviedrome Introduction

Film Details

Release Date: 1978

Director: Steve Rash

Stars:

Gary Busey as Buddy Holly

Plot Summary

The film begins in Lubbock, Texas, where Buddy Holly and his band, the Crickets, struggle to break into the music industry. With persistence and innovation, they develop a unique sound that propels them to national fame. The story highlights Holly's relationships, including his marriage to Maria Elena Santiago, and his clashes with music industry executives who try to control his creative vision. The narrative builds to his tragic death in a plane crash, which also claimed the lives of Ritchie Valens and J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson.

Personal History

I did go to the cinema to watch La Bamba.

Current Review

First off - I am surprised this very run of the mill biopic is classed as a cult film.

Secondly - if you told me that Gary Busey (2nd Moviedrome appearance) was going to play Buddy Holly, I wouldn't have believed you. Gary is too big. Gary's teeth are too big. Gary is too old - he was 33 when the film was made. Buddy died at 22.

But he does make a fine job of it and well worthy of his academy award nomination. He could sing and play guitar well.

The film is made up of large segments of live performances. An early scene at a roller disco running into a handful of songs. Some drama with courtship, marriage, fatherhood before we end with the tragic last show and performances by the Big Bopper. In between, we have the first white band peforming at a black music hall in Harlem.  Where they brought the house down.

Ends with the final gig and some heartfelt but unlikely dialogue. The last image freezes after Gary/Buddy announces they will see you next year. Superimposed text tells the tragic tale.

OK but not what I would have expected from Moviedrome.

Quirky Facts

As expected - Many of the actors did their own singing and played their own instruments live during the filming of the production numbers. This included the film's main players Gary Busey, Don Stroud and Charles Martin Smith.

According to director Steve Rash and actor Gary Busey, the opening 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, Don Stroud and Charles Martin Smith sort of lose their place and start nervously laughing.

Quotes

[last lines]
Buddy Holly: Thank you, Clearlake! C'mon... we love you, we'll see you next year.

Sustenance

It will be the usual American recommendations

Future Inspiration

You could predict TV, Music and Book AI recommendation but there is a TV Series called Sun Records (2017) that was previously unheard off and might be worth looking into.