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The Gene Krupa Story

Duration:

101 min

Genres:

Biography | Drama | Music

IMDB rate:

6.8

Director:

Don Weis

Awards:

1 nomination

Details

Country: USA

Cast

Actor

Character

Susan Kohner

Sal Mineo

Gene Krupa

James Darren

Eddie Sirota

Susan Oliver

Dorissa Dinell

Yvonne Craig

Gloria Corregio

Lawrence Dobkin

Speaker Willis

Celia Lovsky

Mother

Red Nichols

Himself

Bobby Troup

Tommy Dorsey

Anita O'Day

Herself

Shelly Manne

Davey Tough

Buddy Lester

Himself

Stanley Adams

Bar Owner (uncredited)

Henry Beau

(uncredited)

John Bleifer

Father (uncredited)

Eugene Jackson

Saxophone Player (uncredited)

Gene Krupa

Drummer (archive sound) (uncredited)

Ruby Lane

Blues Singer (uncredited)

Gavin MacLeod

Ted Krupa (uncredited)

Al Silvani

Man Rubbing Krupa's Shoulders (uncredited)

Did you know?

Trivia

When the film opened in Krupa's hometown of Chicago at the Schiller Theatre on January 15, 1960 both Gene Krupa and Sal Mineo were on hand to greet the public and sign "fan fotos."

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Goofs

In the scene between Gene and Ethel, right after Gene's mother argues with him in the speakeasy about the priesthood, Ethel's small handbag on the table is closer to her on the close-in shots than it is on the longer shots.

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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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When we see Gene at his penthouse on Central Park, at the party one of the guests is Bix Beiderbecke. Bix died in 1931 and only ever played with Gene Krupa in Chicago. By the time Krupa made it in New York, Bix had already died.

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Quotes

Gene Krupa: Who's the singer?

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Gene Krupa: Reefers huh? So that's what they look like.

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Faq

Whatever happened to Ethel McGuire?

In real life, Krupa married Ethel McGuire (played by Susan Kohner)...twice. Their first marriage lasted from 1934-1942 after which they divorced and remarried again in 1946. Their second marriage lasted until her death in 1955.

How does the movie end?

n an attempt to raise himself out of playing at dives, Gene learns to read music and pays a visit to Tommy Dorsey (Bobby Troup), who is starting up a new band. Tommy is eager to get Gene back into his band, but he's already hired Davey Tough (Shelly Manne), so Eddie Sirota (James Darren) comes up with an idea. The band opens with a 'special return appearance' by Gene Krupa. Just prior to going on, Gene receives an envelope with a stick of gum from Ethel, which somewhat allays his anxiety. Onstage, he is first met with heckling. 'Got a reefer?' 'Jailbird!' However, after an almost three minute 'battle of the drums' between Gene and Davey, the audience begins to cheer him on. 'Go, Gene, Go! After the performance, Gene is invited to a number of parties, but he chooses to leave with Ethel. 'What's the matter? he tells her. 'Didn't you think I'd ever learn?'

Is 'The Gene Krupa Story' based on a book?

No. The movie is based on a screenplay by associate producer Orin Jannings.

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