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The Buddy Holly Story

  • 1978
  • K-12
  • 1h 54m
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
9.9K
YOUR RATING
The Buddy Holly Story (1978)
Watch Official Trailer
Play trailer2:38
3 Videos
61 Photos
BiographyDramaMusic

The story of the life and career of the early rock and roll singer, from his meteoric rise to stardom, to his marriage and untimely death.The story of the life and career of the early rock and roll singer, from his meteoric rise to stardom, to his marriage and untimely death.The story of the life and career of the early rock and roll singer, from his meteoric rise to stardom, to his marriage and untimely death.

  • Director
    • Steve Rash
  • Writers
    • Alan Swyer
    • John Goldrosen
    • Robert Gittler
  • Stars
    • Gary Busey
    • Don Stroud
    • Charles Martin Smith
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.2/10
    9.9K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Steve Rash
    • Writers
      • Alan Swyer
      • John Goldrosen
      • Robert Gittler
    • Stars
      • Gary Busey
      • Don Stroud
      • Charles Martin Smith
    • 80User reviews
    • 28Critic reviews
    • 78Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Won 1 Oscar
      • 3 wins & 6 nominations total

    Videos3

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:38
    Watch Official Trailer
    The Buddy Holly Story: That'll Be The Day
    Clip 1:39
    Watch The Buddy Holly Story: That'll Be The Day
    The Buddy Holly Story: Better Sign Him
    Clip 0:45
    Watch The Buddy Holly Story: Better Sign Him

    Photos61

    The Buddy Holly Story (1978)
    The Buddy Holly Story (1978)
    The Buddy Holly Story (1978)
    The Buddy Holly Story (1978)
    The Buddy Holly Story (1978)
    The Buddy Holly Story (1978)
    Gary Busey and Lou Diamond Phillips in The Buddy Holly Story (1978)
    Gary Busey and Amy Johnston in The Buddy Holly Story (1978)
    Gary Busey in The Buddy Holly Story (1978)
    Maria Richwine in The Buddy Holly Story (1978)
    Charles Martin Smith and Don Stroud in The Buddy Holly Story (1978)
    Gary Busey in The Buddy Holly Story (1978)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Gary Busey
    Gary Busey
    • Buddy
    Don Stroud
    Don Stroud
    • Jesse
    Charles Martin Smith
    Charles Martin Smith
    • Ray Bob
    Conrad Janis
    Conrad Janis
    • Ross Turner
    William Jordan
    • Riley
    Maria Richwine
    • Maria Elena
    Amy Johnston
    Amy Johnston
    • Cindy Lou
    Dick O'Neill
    Dick O'Neill
    • Sol Gittler
    • (as Dick O'Neil)
    Fred Travalena
    Fred Travalena
    • Madman Mancuso
    Neva Patterson
    Neva Patterson
    • Mrs. Holly
    Arch Johnson
    Arch Johnson
    • Mr. Holly
    John F. Goff
    John F. Goff
    • T.J.
    • (as John Goff)
    Gloria Irizarry
    Gloria Irizarry
    • Mrs. Santiago
    Jody Berry
    • Engineer Sam
    Richard Kennedy
    Richard Kennedy
    • Preacher
    Jim Beach
    • Wilson
    Gailard Sartain
    Gailard Sartain
    • Big Bopper
    Albert Popwell
    Albert Popwell
    • Eddie
    • Director
      • Steve Rash
    • Writers
      • Alan Swyer
      • John Goldrosen
      • Robert Gittler
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      According to Little Richard, the Apollo theater performance by Buddy Holly and The Crickets in front of an all-black audience is pretty accurate. Holly and his band were booked "sight unseen" because the owner thought they were black. The audience was shocked to see white performers on stage, but they embraced Holly and his band.
    • Goofs
      Buddy's parents were not against the music as the movie said. Mrs. Holley even helped Buddy write "Maybe Baby".
    • Quotes

      [last lines]

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

    • 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"
    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: Movies We'd Book If We Owned a Movie Theater (1982)
    • Soundtracks
      Mockin' Bird Hill
      (uncredited)

      Written by Vaughn Horton

      Performed by Gary Busey

    User reviews80

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    7/10
    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.
    helpful•47
    4
    • caspian1978
    • Dec 10, 2003

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    FAQ20

    • How long is The Buddy Holly Story?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 3, 1978 (Finland)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Sony Movie Channel (United States)
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Buddy Holly
    • Filming locations
      • 3635 E. Colorado Boulevard, Pasadena, California, USA(Moonlight Rollerway roller rink)
    • Production companies
      • Innovisions
      • ECA
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $1,200,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $14,363,400
    • Gross worldwide
      • $14,363,400
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 54 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • 4-Track Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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