IMDb > The Buddy Holly Story (1978)
The Buddy Holly Story
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

The Buddy Holly Story (1978) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 14 | slideshow)

Overview

User Rating:
7.2/10   2,823 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 6% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
Alan Swyer (story)
John Goldrosen (source material "Buddy Holly His Life and Music")
more
Contact:
View company contact information for The Buddy Holly Story on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
3 November 1978 (Finland) more
Genre:
Tagline:
Music never felt this good. more
Plot:
A film about the life and career of the early rock and roll star. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
Won Oscar. Another 2 wins & 3 nominations more
User Comments:
Busey's Best more (44 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

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
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Runtime:
114 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Company:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
In the scene where Cindy Lou gets on the bus to go back to college, Busey was originally supposed to answer her question of "What am I gonna tell the kids at college?" with "Cindy Lou?...Kiss my ass!" But director Steve Rash didn't like that line and so they came up with "Boola, Boola." instead. (According to DVD commentary) more
Goofs:
Anachronisms: When Buddy sees his girlfriend off on the bus, the camera pans over to the bus station past a gas station that has a billboard with a Century 21 real estate sign over it. Century 21 started in 1971. more
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.
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in Saturday Night Live 25 (1999) (TV) more
Soundtrack:
True Love Ways more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
14 out of 15 people found the following comment useful.
Busey's Best, 10 December 2003
Author: (caspian1978@hotmail.com) from Attleboro, MA

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.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (44 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Buddy Holly Story (1978)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Who's that Guy? sweetshizzler
Would Buddy Holly been bigger than Elvis in time? jblassio
The dedication at the end? gabadabadoo
Marshall Crenshaw would have been perfect jja11576
Niki Sullivans's character mrube56
Favor: How Does It End? ComedyChick19
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Ray La Bamba Last Days Coal Miner's Daughter Sid and Nancy
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Biography section IMDb USA section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.