That'll Be the Day is a 1973 British film starring David Essex and Ringo Starr, written by Ray Connolly and directed by Claude Whatham. It is set in the late 50's/early '60s and partially filmed on the Isle of Wight.
Plot summary
Abandoned by his father as a child, suburban school dropout Jim MacLaine (David Essex) leaves home and drifts through a succession of dead-end jobs until he finds an outlet for his frustration in rock 'n' roll. Tossing away the chance of a college education much to the consternation of his mother, alienated MacLaine becomes a lowly deckchair attendant before streetwise friend Mike (Ringo Starr) gets him a job with the fun fair. The initially shy MacLaine quickly becomes a heartless fairground romeo leaving a trail of broken hearts in his wake. Eventually the prodigal son returns home to run the family store and marry his girlfriend, but despite the birth of a son, restless Jim feels the lure of rock’n’roll again.
Characters
The film was praised at the time for its gritty realism. Many of the characters were played by musicians who had lived through the era portrayed in the film including Ringo Starr, The Who's Keith Moon, John Hawken of The Nashville Teens and Billy Fury.
The film was produced by David Puttnam and is loosely based on the Harry Nilsson song "1941". A sequel, Stardust, was released in 1974.
Cast
Soundtrack
Both That'll Be the Day & the sequel Stardust
Neil Sedaka - Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen
Maxine Brown - Oh No Not My Baby
Bobby Vee - Take Good Care Of My Baby
Del Shannon - Hats Off To Larry
The Zombies - She's Not There
Bobby Darin - Dream Lover
Billy J Kramer & Dakotas - Do You want To Know A Secret
Dave Edmunds & The Electricians - Da Do Ron Ron
The Beach Boys - I Get Around
The Drifters - Up On The Roof
Diana Ross & Supremes - Baby Love
The Chiffons - One Fine Day
Little Eva - The Locomotion
Tommy Roe - Dizzy
The Fortunes - You've Got Your Troubles
Martha Reeves & The Vandellas - Dancing In The Street
Carole King - It Might As Well Rain Until September
Little Stevie Wonder - Uptight
Jan & Dean - Surf City
Cat Stevens - Matthew & Son
Barbara Lewis - Baby I'm Yours
Barbara Lewis - Make Me Your baby
Jimmy Ruffin - What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted
The Shirelles - Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow
The Box Tops - The Letter
Mamas & The Papa's - Monday Monday
Lovin' Spoonful - Summer In The City
Award Nominations
BAFTA Best Supporting Actress: Rosemary Leach.
BAFTA Most Promising Newcomer to Leading Film Roles: David Essex.
Spin-off
An independent Radio Drama recording project was completed in 2008 entitled 'That'll be the Stardust!' which continues the story of Jimmy Maclaine jr. (son of Jim Maclaine). The website featuring the complete drama is now online (see external link below).
External links
