The Gene Krupa Story (1959)

Biopic of famous jazz drummer, Gene Krupa, who becomes a sensation but cannot handle success and life in the fast lane and ends-up broke, struggling with drugs and alcohol.

Director:

Don Weis

Writer:

Orin Jannings

Stars:

Sal Mineo, Susan Kohner, James Darren

Won 1 Golden Globe. Another 1 nomination.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Sal Mineo	...	Gene Krupa
Susan Kohner	...	Ethel Maguire
James Darren	...	Eddie Sirota
Susan Oliver	...	Dorissa Dinell
Yvonne Craig	...	Gloria Corregio
Lawrence Dobkin	...	Speaker Willis
Celia Lovsky	...	Mother
Red Nichols	...	Self
Bobby Troup	...	Tommy Dorsey
Anita O'Day	...	Self
Shelly Manne	...	Davey Tough
Buddy Lester	...	Self

Storyline

The story of legendary jazz drummer, Gene Krupa. Since his youth, all Gene ever wanted to do is play the drums and make music. This is something his parents would not approve of- they want him to be a priest. When Gene's father dies he promises to enter the priesthood. He soon realizes that he doesn't belong there and leaves to join his friend, Eddie's band. Ethel, Eddie's girlfriend, convinces Gene to go to New York and make it big. The 3 of them head to New York. Here Ethel and Gene soon fall in love and Gene makes a name for himself. Gene starts to live in the fast lane, with drugs, alcohol, women and parties. Ethel, unhappy with Gene's lifestyle, leaves him. Gene soon "hits rock bottom" where he has to face reality and choose where to take his life.

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Plot Keywords:

band | drugs | drummer | jazz | seminary | 

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Taglines:

The Pounding Story of a Jazz Great!

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | Music

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Did You Know?

Trivia

Sal Mineo (Gene) and Susan Kohner (Ethel), previously appeared together in "Dino" (1957).

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Goofs

In the final scene, when Krupa makes his comeback appearance with Tommy Dorsey's band, the set he's playing changes in the close-ups from the front left. The high hat cymbals are in a different position, and the tom tom to his left disappears completely.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Father: How many times am I going to tell you?
Gene Krupa: Papa.
Father: How many times? Banging on pots and pans and garbage can covers wasn't enough noise for you. And driving us all crazy by playin' on the washboard with mother's thimble. That was not enough noise either.
Gene Krupa: But it doesn't have to be noise. There's music in drums, Papa. I know there is.

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Connections

Featured in Police Story: The Broken Badge (1978)

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Soundtracks

Way Down Yonder in New Orleans
(uncredited)
Music by Turner Layton
Lyrics by Henry Creamer

User Reviews

Great Mineo portrayal

Not historially accurate, but a great portrayal by Sal Mineo. He worked with Krupa for about 2 years before filming began. The only real flaw is that the music is a 1950's version of 1930's swing/jazz, and none of Krupa's hits of the 40's were really included. Nonetheless, the music is very good, with Mineo mimicing extremely accurately Krups's off screen drumming.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

December 1959 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Drummer Man

Filming Locations:

Hollywood, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

101 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1