La Bamba Page #3

Shouldn't you be with Rosie?

My old man wasn't around

when I was born.

Why should I be?

-Figure it out.

-There you are, mijo.

Bob Keene called me at the restaurant.

You're recording at Gold Star Studios

next Wednesday.

Right in Hollywood.

Didn't you hear me?

That means he's going to put you

under contract with Del-Fi.

Richie, Im so happy.

Its only the beginning, mijo.

Bob has great news, too.

Come on, tell her.

That art contest? I won it.

$500 in prizes.

That's great, mijo.

With the baby coming and everything

the money'll--

In art lessons.

See, they gave me a drafting table.

All our dreams are gonna come true.

I just know it.

Cut.

Let's start again.

Cut. Don't rewrite the song.

Just do it the way you did it the first time.

Cut.

That was our fault.

Cut.

That's more right on, but that

''little darling'' line, I like that better.

I don't see what's wrong with those takes.

That's how I sing.

Its gotta be clean.

Each take has to be identical.

-Why?

-So, that we can edit later.

-This isn't Mexico.

-Who said it was?

I lived there. I understand the tradition

of the song, always changing the lyrics.

Ive never even been to Mexico.

My music is my music.

You tell him, carnal.

How many more takes?

As many as it takes. Okay?

Cut.

That was good. Same energy.

Just try it again.

Shall I get a new role of tape?

I think we got him.

I can cut something here.

Nice work, Richie. 60 takes, man.

How's the throat?

I think we got it all.

60 takes?

I didn't hear a difference in one of them.

Im ready to go home.

I want to discuss one thing with you.

Come here.

-What is it?

-Your professional name.

From now on, it's Ritchie with a ''t.''

R-l-T-C-H-l-E.

I got a new last name for you, too.

Valens with an ''s.'' Ritchie Valens.

-How does that grab you?

-I don't like it.

That's for sh*t, man!

Valenzuela was our dad's last name.

-You can't just cut it in half.

-Its no big deal.

People in this business change their names

like they change wives.

Even me. My last name is Kuhn.

Look.

Trust me on this one.

Let's just go.

Thanks.

Look, it could've been worse.

You could have been Ricky Zuela.

-Hello.

-Hello?

Is Donna in?

No, Donna's not in. This is her father.

Can I help you?

Daddy, who is it? Is it Ritchie?

Could you tell her

that Ritchie called again, please?

Yeah, okay.

He plays that goddamn jungle music!

Need I say more?

Come on, honey.

You said yourself it's not serious.

I hate Dad when he acts like that!

I just hate him!

Good morning, you survivors!

You want to call? Id love to talk to you.

We got evicted. We're sleeping

in the car. My wife is pregnant.

You're down about it?

-She's in the car now.

-She's pregnant and sleeping in the car?

She's there right now.

-What kind of car do you have?

-A Rolls Royce.

Your mom listens to KFWB, right?

Ritchie Valens' mom out there

in Pacoima listens, too.

And she's gotta be proud of her boy today!

Ritchie's got a song headed

for the top of the charts, with a bullet.

Ritchie Valens, Come On, Let's Go.

-How are you?

-Pretty good, thanks.

Valens...Valens.

French, right?

How did you know?

Come on, man.

He's one of those barrio kids

from the Valley.

Not for long.

Pretty good.

I know.

Everybody keep it down.

That's my Ritchie on the radio.

-How about a beer?

-Not while Im working, but Ill get you one.

No, I'm sorry. Donna's studying.

Supper time, pizza fans!

Here's a contest to kick off summer!

We have a special mystery guest

here at the studio. Say hello, Mr. Guest.

Hello.

Here's what you do. Our guest comes

from the San Fernando Valley.

What does he have in common with the

Vice President of the United States?

The first person to identify the mystery

guest will win 12 fresh, hot pizzas.

Here's the kicker: this mystery guest

will deliver the pizzas...

...and have a pizza party at your place,

free, from KFWB.

No, Donna's not here.

Thank you.

-She's out on a date.

-Yeah.

Right.

Yes, may I help you?

May I see Donna?

Please.

I know she's here.

Just one moment.

Donna?

Its Ritchie.

Now, it's better not to lead him on dear.

You know how your father is.

Okay.

Hi, Ritchie.

Can we take a walk?

No, I can't.

Okay, let's not beat around the bush.

Are you seeing other guys?

Yeah, Ive been out a few times.

What's wrong with that?

You're my girl.

When am I supposed to see you?

I can't tag along to your appearances.

All those other girls--

I don't care about those other girls!

What am I supposed to do?

You don't have time for me right now.

You wanna break it off?

I don't know what I want anymore.

Ill see you around sometime.

Ritchie.

Hello?

-Sorry.

-''Oh, Donna

-''Oh, Donna''

-That's it.

That's your song.

Thought you'd like to hear it.

Its beautiful.

Thank you.

-'Bye.

-Yeah.

Carnal, I think I know

what your problem is.

And it's time we did something about it.

Come on, let's go.

Where to?

Let's just go.

I should have done this a long time ago.

Come on, hop on.

-Done what?

-Gotten you some tail, man.

Come on, Ritchie with a ''t.''

Im going to show you the best part of TJ.

Ritchie, come here. Check it out.

Don't worry. It smells like fish,

but it'll taste like chicken.

You alright, man!

This is your manager's job,

getting you some tail.

He looks at you,

I bet he sees a meal ticket.

Come on, change the record.

Look, man:
''Ritchie Valens.''

With a name like that, nobody's

even going to suspect you're Mexican.

I think it's an insult to Steve's memory.

Steve was so gung-ho American,

he'd be proud of anything I do. Lay off.

Its my name.

Yeah, it's your name, man.

-What did she say?

-She likes your big....

-What do you think?

-It looks like a high school prom.

Only this prom puts out.

Look at those bongos.

Get in there.

I can see fine.

Pick one you like.

They'll like you. Its guaranteed.

I don't know. Its really hard to choose.

Sh*t, take two, man. Its on me.

La Bamba!

Ritchie, come here.

I brought you here to get laid.

Later.

Im coming.

Connie, I need your help.

Its the baby.

Where is Bob, for God's sake?

Im gonna get Ritchie, okay?

Its gonna be okay.

Yo no speak-o espaol.

What's the idea, Bob,

leaving me alone with this old man?

I had some business to take care of in TJ.

Besides, you were sleeping it off, stud.

Was I that drunk last night?

You were screwed, blewed, and tattooed!

Look at that.

Well, at least tattooed anyway.

The old man wants us to eat breakfast.

I never had snake before.

Its not bad.

What's he saying?

He says, ''Life is a snake.

''A snake crawling out of its own dead skin.

''Like a dream.''

He's a curandero, a healer...

...and a wise man.

He's sort of my spiritual father.

Ive been coming to him for years.

He's giving you that.

''To live is to sleep.''

''To die...

''...is to awaken.''

I told him about your nightmares.

That talisman will help, if you believe in it.

What is all this?

Mexico! You went to Tijuana

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