The Gene Krupa Story

Competent, slick and well photographed, but fairly banal treatment of the famous drummer.

Almost no attempt is made to visually set the story in the twenties and thirties. Thus, the film abounds in an abundance of visual anachronisms, including fifties architecture, decor, and clothing, (Misses Kohner and Craig wear Dior style shirtwaist dirndls throughout, whilst Miss Oliver wears Capri style cocktail pants!--nowhere is there a cloche hat, aigrette or dropped waist). Only slight sartorial concessions are made for the men, (a few bowler hats and double breasted vests)

These inaccuracies no doubt accrue from the fact that the picture is being pitched wholesale to the 1959 teen audience and not to their parents.

For his part, Mr. Mineo does exceedingly well, though at times he does lapse into hipster posturing, (in his finger pointing angry scenes he appears to be imitating Ben Gazzara). Given his extreme youth, however, he demonstrates more poise and depth than his teen idol peers. The only really embarrassing moments come when he is depicted as a cassock clad seminarian in prayer.

If nothing else, this film provides your only chance to see Sal Mineo in spats.

If you've ever wanted to be a drummer this is the film for you. Even if the sounds of percussion instruments leave you with a pounding headache, it's still a good film to watch, for the acting and for the general atmosphere the film evokes.

With a straightforward, linear plot, "The Gene Krupa Story" highlights some of the career events of the legendary drummer, from his high school days in Chicago until his comeback from the depths, following an unfortunate incident in San Francisco. Krupa comes across in the film as outgoing, ambitious, single-minded, determined, and unable to handle success.

The story spans roughly a twenty year period from the late 1920s to the late 1940. Sal Mineo has the title role ... and what an acting job! In scenes with dialogue, his performance is intense, subtle, and very convincing. But, when Mineo mimics Krupa's frenetic drum solos, Mineo's performance is electrifying.

Both Susan Kohner as Krupa's love interest, and Susan Oliver as a femme fatale with attitude, further elevate the overall acting level. And the B&W cinematography from Charles Lawton, Jr., combined with smoke filled rooms and jazzy/blues music, is wonderfully suggestive of the beat generation of the 1950s, even though we are supposed to believe that it is an earlier era.

On the downside, the story is only partly factual. Production values are hardly better than average, and the editing is at times sloppy. The film has an inexplicably abrupt ending.

Overall, I recommend this film for the jazzy atmosphere of a bygone era, and especially for the high quality acting. "The Gene Krupa Story" is worth watching, if for no other reason than to marvel at Sal Mineo's ability to bang the drum briskly.

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.

Sal Mineo was a real so-so actor. Apart from his fresh, young looks, sweet face, deep eyes and athletic build, he was not more than a third rate version of some James Dean or even Elvis, who was a mediocre actor, too. Here, Sal tries to take on life of great late drummer (my personal musical favorite in jazz) Gane Krupa. Did Sal succeed? Nay, he did not. Gene was an affable, lovable, open-hearted man of integrity and skill. Sal is OK but not deeply convincing. Instead, he looks more like a talented, but hapless, selfish, spoiled man of some unripe masculinity. One thing is great for sure - Sal really knew how to play them drums well. Yes, real Gene Krupa recorded all the drum parts for the movie, but Sal mimicked them all with such a thrilling precision and skill that I, as a drummer myself, was awed. The love line is nothing more than a very typical 50's Hollywood kitsch palette of clichés and banality. Well, one more great thing is an outstanding jazz soundtrack with all the greats included. The film could have become a bigger and better thing, but all is jammed and packed in 100 minutes and the aftertaste is somewhat sour and bitter. Gene deserved a better impersonator, in fact. And the movie a better script.

I recall seeing this as a teenager and thinking it was great. As a 75 year old retired musician who lives music history, it annoyed me.

When a producer allows a song from 1940 (Let There be Love) to be inserted into a scene from the mid20s I call foul. The early scene with Krupa jamming with the Austin High Gang is arranged in the style of a 1960s Las Vegas showband. The scene with Red Nichols is equally absurd with bop-based jazz chorus.

Then comes "Cherokee" (written in 1938) played at a tempo and style at least 20 years in the future. Then comes the cocktail party which looks like a scene from Playboy After Hours. No attempt is made to costume authenticity. The band jamming sounds like Sam Butera on speed.

Later a beautiful version of "Memories of You" appears, but sung in a style si,liar to Julie London. Not until "Back Home in Indiana" does the music come close to stylistically historical accuracy. But then the overdone "everybody has a drum" schtick even ruins that. "Hawaiian War Chant" provides some redemption, but not enough to change my sum total reaction to the film - meh!

As others have mentioned, the film was obviously marketed to teens. Unfortunately anyone who knows anything about Krupa, or the swing era, will likely find it annoying.