Cotton Candy (1978) – Nostalgia Central

This made-for-TV movie for the NBC network was directed by 23-year-old former Happy Days star Ron Howard and was something of a family affair for the Howard family. Ron and his brother Clint co-wrote the film, and Clint had one of the starring roles.

Their father, Rance, was one of the producers and had a cameo role as Mr Bremmercamp. Ron’s mother and sister also had bit parts in the film.

The light-hearted musical drama revolves around Texas boys Corky Macpherson (Clint) and George Smalley (Charles Martin Smith ), two of the all-time losers at their high school.

But one day George forms a band (called ‘Cotton Candy’, natch), meets the girl of his dreams – Brenda, the drummer in the band (Leslie King) – and becomes a hero.

Former gang member Julio Sanchez (Manuel Padilla, who played Jai in the classic Tarzan TV series) and brothers Bart (Dino Scofield) and Barry Bates (Kevin Miller) are the other members of the band. Corky is their manager.

Torbin Bequette (Mark Wheeler) is the bad guy – a big man on campus and the overbearing hotshot guitarist in a terrible rival band called ‘Rapid Fire’ – who gets his comeuppance in the battle of the bands at the local mall.

The film – made on location in Dallas – features eight original songs.

George Smalley
Charles Martin Smith
Corky Macpherson
Clint Howard
Brenda Matthews
Leslie King
Barry Bates
Kevin Lee Miller
Julio Sanchez
Manuel Padilla Jr.
Bart Bates
Dino Scofield
Torbin Bequette
Mark Wheeler
Mr Smalley
Alvy Moore
Mrs Smalley
Joan Crosby
Mr Bremmercamp
Rance Howard
Coach Grimes
Ray LePere
Mr Barton
William H. Burkett
Karen
Connie Hearn
Mrs Kelly
Jessie Lee Fulton
Senior President
Eugene Lee
Speech Clubber
David May
Curt
Kimo Schulze
Barry’s Date
Darlene Gratz
Bart’s Date
Marty Bongfeldt
Brenda’s Date
David Ellzey
Disc Jockey
Nick Alexander

Director
Ron Howard

Video