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The Buddy Holly Story (1978)

7.1
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Ratings: 7.1/10 from 4,440 users  
Reviews: 50 user | 17 critic

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

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(story), (source material "Buddy Holly His Life and Music"), 1 more credit »
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Title: The Buddy Holly Story (1978)

The Buddy Holly Story (1978) on IMDb 7.1/10

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Won 1 Oscar. Another 4 wins & 3 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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William Jordan ...
Maria Richwine ...
Amy Johnston ...
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Sol Gittler (as Dick O'Neil)
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Neva Patterson ...
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John F. Goff ...
T.J. (as John Goff)
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Jody Berry ...
Richard Kennedy ...
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Storyline

The musical career of Buddy Holly is chronicled, from the days when "Peggy Sue" was "Cindy Lou," a song about his first girlfriend, to the meteoric run of "That'll Be The Day" up the charts, to his marriage, breakup with the Crickets, reunion with the Crickets, and untimely death. Written by Jason A. Cormier <wildrose@mindspring.com>

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Taglines:

The Music You'll Love Forever. The Man You'll Never Forget. The Movie You Must Not Miss. See more »

Genres:

Biography | Drama | Music

Certificate:

PG | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

3 November 1978 (Finland)  »

Also Known As:

A História de Buddy Holly  »

Company Credits

Production Co:

,  »
Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Color:

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
See  »
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Did You Know?

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. See more »

Goofs

KDAV was a daytime-only radio station in the 1950s. See 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.
See more »

Crazy Credits

Caption shown after the end credits are over: "This film is dedicated to those who loved him first - Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence Holley, Maria Elena Holly" See more »


Soundtracks

"Mockin' Bird Hill"
(uncredited)
Written by Vaughn Horton
Performed by Gary Busey
See more »

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User Reviews

Busey's Best
10 December 2003 | by (Boston, MA) – See all my reviews

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.


22 of 23 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you?

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