That'll Be the Day

For any true Rock 'n' Roll fan and any former members of the growing-up cultures of the Fifties and Sixties...Seventies too, you just can't let these two get away - "That'll Be The Day" and it's sequel, "Stardust".

It's a fabulous roller-coaster ride that isn't just limited to the fairground, depicting the social and musical changes of life in 1950's Britain as seen through the eyes of the young man who turns out to be 'the minstrel of a generation' - Jim Maclaine...very amicably portrayed by teen Pop idol (at the time!), David Essex. Infact, it was Mr. Essex who was nominated for the Best Newcomer BAFTA along with Rosemary Leach as Best Supporting Actress in the role of his long-suffering Mother. A stellar cast including Robert Lindsay, Billy Fury, Keith Moon, Rosalind Ayres, James Booth, Karl Howman, Deborah Watling, and a brilliantly-acted performance by Ringo Starr add to the delight of this classic virtually rags-to-riches story of teenage angst and ambition. Jim Maclaine is a clever young man, but forsakes a prospective well-educated career for a life-changing journey on the back of a truck that drops him off at the seaside...and so part one of the odyssey begins. The film unfolds to the hit-making sounds of the late 50's which are a big influence on Maclaine's journey through adolescence away from the bosom of his family. He experiences all he is able to experience over a two-year period, then one day has a sudden change of heart...but does his heart really change that much?

The brilliant sequel, "Stardust" begins the continuing saga of Jim Maclaine's life from 1963 onwards and once again we are introduced to more cultural, and musical, changes and influences of life in the fast lane. David Essex reprises his role as the wayward hero but it's the teen idol from another time, Adam Faith who steals the show as Mike Menary - a shifty wheeler-dealer along with "Dallas" star, Larry 'J.R.' Hagman. It was Mr. Faith who got the BAFTA nomination for Best Supporting Actor, but the film itself won the Writer's Guild Award for Best Original British Screenplay which went to the writer of both films, Ray Connolly.

"Stardust" is the dark illustration of interchanging trends, attitudes and politics within the music business which combines the family and friendship aspects of the previous story. It is a classic tale of a bittersweet dream...and a sour nightmare. A great soundtrack is once again prominent throughout, along with another great cast which also includes Paul Nicholas, Ines Des Longchamps, Dave Edmunds, Marty Wilde, Peter Duncan, James Hazeldine, along with Keith Moon, Rosalind Ayres and Karl Howman reprising their roles.

This is a great must-buy DVD set as your practically getting both films for the price of one. Fabulous!

A real classic from 1973 shows David Essex as a young Jimmy MacLaine and shows his life growing up. He leaves home and works on a pleasure beach then fair ground. This is a classic and has many starts which were not fully recognised back then, included are people like Karl Howman, Dave Edmunds, Ringo Starr, Keith Moon, Adam Faith, Peter Duncan, Larry Hagman and many more.
The first disk "That'll Be The Day" is the first part of the double feature where the second is Stardust which shows his life when he turns pop star.
If you haven't seen this then go out and buy or rent it, you wont regret it.

This two-film set chronicles the life of a discontented, directionless youth, who somewhat aimlessly dreams of being a famous "Rock and Roll" star. It's gritty and realistic in atmosphere, as well as its depiction of the experiences that lead up to the young man's achievement of his dream. David Essex plays innocence, streetwise savvy and jaded overindulgence with equal conviction. The progression of his character is charming, seamless and convincing. Without giving anything away, this morality tale, when both films are seen in succession, is something wondrous to behold. In short I was very impressed, by the material, music and all the performances, which were uniformly excellent. Two thumbs up, as the critics would say...