La Bamba (1987)
Biographical story of the rise from nowhere of early rock and roll singer Ritchie Valens who died at age 17 in a plane crash with Buddy Holly and The Big Bopper.
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Cast & Crew
Top Billed Cast
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Ritchie Valens -
Bob Morales -
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Rosie Morales -
Donna Ludwig -
Bob Keane -
Ted Quillin -
Buddy Holly -
Jackie Wilson
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Eddie Cochran -
Lelo -
Curandero
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Chino
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Mexican Ed -
Rudy
Full cast
Director:
Luis ValdezWriter:
Luis ValdezAll Cast & Crew
Reviews & Commentary
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Did You Know?
Trivia
Esai Morales coincidentally has the same last name as the real person he portrays, Bob Morales.
Quotes
Bob Morales:
I've had one sip of beer and I have to admit it taste like piss to me. Want it?
Ritchie Valens:
Yeah.
Ritchie Valens:
What's your problem man?
Bob Morales:
Old Steve. He always said you'd be somebody and I bought it, too. If that's the way Steve wanted it that's the way it was going to be. Even ...
Goofs
At the Pizza Party featuring a personal appearance by Ritchie, Bob Keane is handing out copies of Ritchie's first album. This is erroneous on two accounts: (1) The album wasn't released until March 1959 (one month after Ritchie's death), and (2) as the actual album features "Donna" and "La Bamba", Ritchie had not yet recorded either song, nor had he even written "Donna" yet, at that point in the movie.
Crazy Credits
Caption starting off the music credits: "We greatfully acknowledge the help and support of the Valenzuela family".
Alternate Versions
When the movie was originally released, the second half of the end credits detailing all the musical numbers, was originally shown in silence. On the DVD version as well as all broadcasts since the DVD release, the music credits scroll with "Come On Let's Go" playing in the background.
Soundtracks
FramedWords & Music by Jerry Leiber & Mike Stoller
Performed by Los Lobos
Courtesy of Slash Records
Produced by Steve Berlin
Storyline
Plot Summary
Synopsis (WARNING: Spoilers)
Genres
Biography | Drama | MusicDetails
Release Date:
24 July 1987Language
English, Spanish
Country of Origin
USAFilming Locations
Moonlight Roller Rink, Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, California, USABox Office
Budget:
$6,500,000 (estimated)
Opening Weekend USA:
$5,651,990 26 July 1987
Gross USA:
$54,215,416
Cumulative Worldwide Gross:
$54,215,416
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