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The Buddy Holly Story

  • 1978
  • PG
  • 1h 54m
IMDb RATING
7.3/10
11K
YOUR RATING
The Buddy Holly Story (1978)
Watch Official Trailer
Play trailer2:38
3 Videos
62 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
    7.3/10
    11K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Steve Rash
    • Writers
      • Alan Swyer
      • John Goldrosen
      • Robert Gittler
    • Stars
      • Gary Busey
      • Don Stroud
      • Charles Martin Smith
    • 84User reviews
    • 30Critic reviews
    • 78Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Won 1 Oscar
      • 3 wins & 6 nominations total

    Videos3

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

    Photos62

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    + 54
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    Top Cast50

    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
    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

    User reviews84

    7.310.9K
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    Summary

    Reviewers say 'The Buddy Holly Story' Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. Curabitur pretium tincidunt lacus.

    Nulla facilisi etiam dignissim diam quis enim lobortis scelerisque
    Lorem ipsum dolorSit amet consecteturAdipiscing elitSed do eiusmodTempor incididuntUt labore et doloreMagna aliquaUt enim ad minimVeniam quisNostrud exercitation
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    Related interests

    Ben Kingsley, Rohini Hattangadi, and Geraldine James in Gandhi (1982)
    Biography
    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama
    Prince and Apollonia Kotero in Purple Rain (1984)
    Music

    Storyline

    Did you know

    • 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 Holly's parents were not against the music as depicted in the film. 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

    Top picks

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    Details

    • Release date
      • September 6, 1978 (United Kingdom)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Sony Movie Channel (United States)
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Die Buddy Holly Story
    • 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

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

    Tech specs

    • Runtime
      • 1h 54m(114 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • 4-Track Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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