IMDb > La Bamba (1987)
La Bamba
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Videos (see all 3)
La Bamba (1987) -- Lou Diamond Phillips steps into the role of singer Ritchie Valens who went from nowhere to superstardom right before a tragic plane crash known as the day the music died.
La Bamba (1987) -- Biographical story of the rise from nowhere of singer Ritchie Valens whose life was cut short by a plane crash.
La Bamba (1987) -- Biographical story of the rise from nowhere of singer Ritchie Valens whose life was cut short by a plane crash.

Overview

User Rating:
6.6/10   7,159 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 17% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Luis Valdez
Writer:
Luis Valdez (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for La Bamba on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
24 July 1987 (USA) more
Genre:
Biography | Drama | Music more
Tagline:
Born to poverty. Destined for stardom. He Lived the American Dream. more
Plot:
Biographical story of the rise from nowhere of singer Ritchie Valens whose life was cut short by a plane crash. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
more
Awards:
Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 1 win more
NewsDesk:
(12 articles)
Sotomayor Does the Mambo
 (From The Wrap. 17 September 2009, 6:32 AM, PDT)
New 'Stargate Universe' Promo
 (From CinemaSpy. 9 September 2009, 11:57 AM, PDT)
User Comments:
Bio of young 50's rocker Ritchie Valens more (43 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Lou Diamond Phillips ... Ritchie Valens

Esai Morales ... Bob Morales
Rosanna DeSoto ... Connie Valenzuela (as Rosana De Soto)
Elizabeth Peña ... Rosie Morales
Danielle von Zerneck ... Donna Ludwig

Joe Pantoliano ... Bob Keane
Rick Dees ... Ted Quillin
Marshall Crenshaw ... Buddy Holly
Howard Huntsberry ... Jackie Wilson

Brian Setzer ... Eddie Cochran
Daniel Valdez ... Lelo
Felipe Cantu ... Curandero
Eddie Frias ... Chino
Mike Moroff ... Mexican Ed
Geoffrey Rivas ... Rudy
more
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Additional Details

Also Known As:
Let's Go (USA) (working title)
more
Parents Guide:
View content advisory for parents
Runtime:
108 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Dolby
Certification:
Iceland:L | Netherlands:AL | Canada:A (Nova Scotia) | Canada:AA (Ontario) | Australia:M | Finland:K-12 | Sweden:11 | UK:15 | USA:PG-13 | West Germany:6 | Singapore:PG
Filming Locations:
Cowboy Palace Saloon - 21635 Devonshire St, Chatsworth, Los Angeles, California, USA more
Company:
Columbia Pictures Corporation more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
According to Lou Diamond Phillips in the VH1 documentary "Behind The Music: The Day The Music Died" (1990), Ritchie Valens' sister was on the set the day they filmed the "coin toss" scene where Ritchie wins (or rather, loses) the chance to fly on the plane with Buddy Holly and The Big Bopper. As the scenes were being shot, Ritchie's sister began to weep uncontrollably and when Phillips tried to console her, she hugged him and sobbed, "Why Ritchie? Why did you get on the plane?" more
Goofs:
Factual errors: In the scene where Ritchie gives his mom the house, "Bob-o" calls Ritchie's mom "Mrs. Valens". Her name is actually "Mrs. Valenzuela" as "Valens" was a stage name. more
Quotes:
Donna Ludwig: I will never let anyone get in the way of my feelings for you,ever again. more
Movie Connections:
Featured in "Behind the Music: The Day the Music Died (#2.19)" (1999) more
Soundtrack:
Don't You Just Know It more

FAQ

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User Comments

   (Comment on this title)
16 out of 19 people found the following comment useful.
Bio of young 50's rocker Ritchie Valens, 9 April 1999
Author: dslacker (dslacker@tularosa.net) from New Mexico

Under-rated melodrama with excellent music by Los Lobos and others. Young Lou Diamond Phillips gives an excellent energetic performance and Esi Morles is at his very best as the sometimes neglected hoodlum brother. A great cast from top to bottom saves what could have been an all too sudsy script.

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more (43 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for La Bamba (1987)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Buddy Holly Story Ending Vs. La Bamba Ending twik_sliver
Please someone help me understand this.... Louis275
Bob Valenzuela start a fight during Ritchie's concert madhouse_495
A great Rock 'n' Roll Bio-pic ericsinla
no kudos for Los Lobos? bhhanson
Blue Thunderbird madhouse_495
more

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