In 1927 Chicago, gum-chewing Italian teenager Sal Mineo (as Gene Krupa) wants to be a professional drummer, but his family would rather he become a priest. He tries the latter, but Mr. Mineo can't keep his hands off of the drumsticks. He makes it big, with trumpet-swinging best pal James Darren (as Eddie Sirota) and pretty girlfriend Susan Kohner (as Ethel Maguire) in tow. Then, at the height of his fame, Mineo gets bitten by the drug bug. He succumbs to sexy Susan Oliver (as Dorissa Dinell) and is busted for possession of "reefer" (marijuana). Can Mineo battle his way back to the top?
The four stars above - plus young Yvonne Craig (as Gloria) - have some sexy scenes, with clothing hugging their curves.
The subject of "The Gene Krupa Story" receives an on-screen credit, and dubs Mineo's drumming. Their audio-visual collaboration is sometimes amazing, with Mineo frantically following Mr. Krupa's licks. This story of a musician's rise and fall may seem very formulaic, but the sex and drug road trip really happens; it's certainly a well-worn path. Unfortunately, there isn't much distinction in this story. Mineo never ages (Krupa's drug bust was in 1943), obvious hits like "Let Me Off Uptown" and "Sing, Sing, Sing (with a Swing)" are omitted, and the 1950s fashion clearly trumps the fabricated 1920s look.
****** The Gene Krupa Story (12/23/59) Don Weis ~ Sal Mineo, James Darren, Susan Kohner, Susan Oliver
The four stars above - plus young Yvonne Craig (as Gloria) - have some sexy scenes, with clothing hugging their curves.
The subject of "The Gene Krupa Story" receives an on-screen credit, and dubs Mineo's drumming. Their audio-visual collaboration is sometimes amazing, with Mineo frantically following Mr. Krupa's licks. This story of a musician's rise and fall may seem very formulaic, but the sex and drug road trip really happens; it's certainly a well-worn path. Unfortunately, there isn't much distinction in this story. Mineo never ages (Krupa's drug bust was in 1943), obvious hits like "Let Me Off Uptown" and "Sing, Sing, Sing (with a Swing)" are omitted, and the 1950s fashion clearly trumps the fabricated 1920s look.
****** The Gene Krupa Story (12/23/59) Don Weis ~ Sal Mineo, James Darren, Susan Kohner, Susan Oliver