The Gene Krupa Story
| The Gene Krupa Story | |
|---|---|
1959 theatrical poster
|
|
| Directed by | Don Weis |
| Produced by | Philip A. Waxman |
| Written by | Orin Jannings |
| Starring |
Sal Mineo Susan Kohner James Darren Susan Oliver |
| Music by | Leith Stevens |
| Distributed by | Columbia Pictures |
|
Release date
|
|
|
Running time
|
101 min |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
The Gene Krupa Story (also known as Drum Crazy) is a 1959 biopic of American drummer and bandleader Gene Krupa. The conflict in the film centers on Krupa's rise to success and his corresponding use of marijuana.
The young Gene Krupa (Sal Mineo) sets his drum kit in the family room where the entire Krupa clan has gathered for something of an intervention. Gene’s father abhors the idea of his playing jazz music. He reacts sadistically, busting the tom-toms and the bass drums, claiming that he has “been too easy on my baby son.” “There’s a group of guys that asked me to play...they play gigs for money, pop.” Gene’s father believes nothing of what he says — he desires his son go to study in the seminary — and eventually breaks the entire set.
After an early performance at a club, a young girl who introduces herself as Ethel (Susan Kohner) tells Krupa that she has become enamored with his music. The two fall in love.
After his father's death, Gene becomes a student in the seminary. Krupa finds himself lost at the seminary, imagining “syncopated versions” of the Ave Maria when he should be listening to holy hymns in a quiet, penitent reverie; even after a year spent at the seminary, he still cannot shake his dreams of becoming a musician. When he consults with his spiritual leader, he is told that he should wait for summer vacation to make a decision, the time when he is able to go home from the seminary.
Seeing his old set, Krupa walks over to the drums and gently rubs the crash cymbal between his thumb and forefinger. The gang asks him to play, and he struggles with the idea of playing the music because of his commitment to the church. He is forced to make a decision contrary to the expectations of his forebears. His career adviser at the seminary suspects that his interest is waning, and declares that Gene should only pursue the priesthood as a vocation, not as a penance for betraying his father’s wishes.
Gene makes it to the top in New York City, having been convinced by Ethel to leave the small-time speakeasy joints behind him. Gene arrives in New York in 1930 and soon finds opportunities to prove his worth. In a leap of faith, Krupa jumps on the drums at an upscale party, performing with famed bandleader Tommy Dorsey. His stock is rising and he starts to reap the benefits of his ability, receiving an offer to join Red Nichols' pit band to play George Gershwin’s revival of his musical Strike Up the Band.
...
Wikipedia