Even though the real Gene Krupa was only 17 when he started his career, Sal Mineo looked too young and baby faced for the role of the dynamic drummer. But once he took to the drums he seemed to inhabit Krupa (he obviously studied him) and even though Krupa was the one the audiences heard, Mineo's performance was inspired. Away from the music it was just another tired bio-pic with all the usual boxes ticked. Mineo never really convinced except in the early part of the film when he was an enthusiastic musician finding his feet in the jazz world. He was called a "choir boy" by one of his friends and he never lost that look - the real Gene looked wild and exciting!!!
Susan Kohner was just terrific as Ethel, his hometown sweetheart, who initially guided him to follow his dream and was there at the end to pick up the pieces. (In real life, the real Gene married Ethel, who was a switchboard operator, in 1934, they divorced in 1942 and remarried in 1946). She made the most of her scenes and made everyone around (Mineo included) look as if they didn't care. Her father was director Paul Kohner and her mother the beautiful, exotic star of the early thirties Lupita Tovar - so she had an impeccable pedigree of talent and looks. I have seen her in the remake of "Imitation of Life" and while that film was not so good she was just fine. Why didn't she get the breaks that Natalie Wood (a lesser talent, in my opinion, as an adult performer) got?? I guess I will never know.
Young Krupa studies for the priesthood but his heart isn't really in it but when he hits the big time it goes to his head. Susan Oliver is the sultry singer who introduces him to the "noxious weed" but apart from an early dabbling, the film tries to portray him as squeaky clean and that the jail term was caused by "persons unknown" planting reefers in his coat!! "You know I never use it" he proclaims. Once he leaves prison the film dwells on his fall from grace, playing in seedy strip bars. In reality Krupa went from strength to strength - rejoining Tommy Dorsey before forming his own band. He also made a few movies (I have seen him in one where he drums on a matchbox!!!), performed in Europe and had success on TV. The highlight of the movie was the performances and the guest appearances of many jazz greats - Red Nichols, Buddy Lester and Anita O'Day (who had her own substance abuse problems).
Gene Krupa was a flamboyant and dynamic musician who helped push a lesser known instrument to the height of popularity. His perfect technique and the ability to adapt his style to whatever music happened to be in vogue made him unforgettable!!
Susan Kohner was just terrific as Ethel, his hometown sweetheart, who initially guided him to follow his dream and was there at the end to pick up the pieces. (In real life, the real Gene married Ethel, who was a switchboard operator, in 1934, they divorced in 1942 and remarried in 1946). She made the most of her scenes and made everyone around (Mineo included) look as if they didn't care. Her father was director Paul Kohner and her mother the beautiful, exotic star of the early thirties Lupita Tovar - so she had an impeccable pedigree of talent and looks. I have seen her in the remake of "Imitation of Life" and while that film was not so good she was just fine. Why didn't she get the breaks that Natalie Wood (a lesser talent, in my opinion, as an adult performer) got?? I guess I will never know.
Young Krupa studies for the priesthood but his heart isn't really in it but when he hits the big time it goes to his head. Susan Oliver is the sultry singer who introduces him to the "noxious weed" but apart from an early dabbling, the film tries to portray him as squeaky clean and that the jail term was caused by "persons unknown" planting reefers in his coat!! "You know I never use it" he proclaims. Once he leaves prison the film dwells on his fall from grace, playing in seedy strip bars. In reality Krupa went from strength to strength - rejoining Tommy Dorsey before forming his own band. He also made a few movies (I have seen him in one where he drums on a matchbox!!!), performed in Europe and had success on TV. The highlight of the movie was the performances and the guest appearances of many jazz greats - Red Nichols, Buddy Lester and Anita O'Day (who had her own substance abuse problems).
Gene Krupa was a flamboyant and dynamic musician who helped push a lesser known instrument to the height of popularity. His perfect technique and the ability to adapt his style to whatever music happened to be in vogue made him unforgettable!!