Buddy's Song (film)

Buddy's Song is a 1991 British comedy-drama film starring Chesney Hawkes, Roger Daltrey, Sharon Duce and Michael Elphick, based on the 1987 novel of the same name by Nigel Hinton. The film follows a teenage boy, Buddy Clark (Hawkes), who is determined to make it as a pop star, aided by his father Terry (Daltrey). He struggles with young love, estranged parents and the problems associated with making it in the music business.

The film was accompanied by a soundtrack album which featured Hawkes' song "The One and Only". It was filmed in London and various towns in the Thames Valley. The long-running teddy boy Rockabilly group The Flying Saucers play the roles of themselves in the film. Playing the part of Terry's friends, they offer support by rehearsing with Buddy and becoming his backing band. Buddy contributes vocals and rhythm guitar while Sandy Ford handles lead guitar duties.

The film was a sequel to the 1986 BBC television series Buddy, which starred Daltrey in the same role (it featured Wayne Goddard as Buddy, however). Daltrey, Bill Curbishley and Roy Baird acted as producers for the film and Daltrey also served as musical director. The film was released with a 12 certificate in cinemas on 1 March 1991 and was re-rated PG with cuts (made by the distributor prior to submission to the BBFC) made to tone down the nudity and violence, for home video as the 12 certificate was not available on this format in the UK at the time.

The film was released on VHS in late 1991 with a music video for "The One and Only" performed by Hawkes and an exclusive interview with Hawkes as special features. The film has, so far, never been officially released on DVD or any other modern home video format. However, the whole film was posted uncut onto Hawkes' official YouTube channel on 22 June 2020.