Review Published: December 26, 1959
THE word for “The Gene Krupa Story" is okay no less and certainly no more.
Columbia's film biography of the king of hot jazz drummers arrived yesterday at the Forum with Sal Mineo in the title role, some dandy musical sequences and a plot that, however authentic, plays like a familiar success story. As we meet the gifted Mr. Krupa here he is an out-of-town lad who conquers the jazz world, makes a bad mistake and finally comes back from oblivion to the right girl and the big tune.
Given a satisfactory assortment of backgrounds by producer Philip A. Waxman and smoothly directed by Don Weis, this is a respectable enough drama, reasonably well performed Orin Jannings' scenario is equally flavorsome in depicting two worlds: the wholesome neighborhood background rejected along with the priesthood, by the young hero; and the brash, glittering orbit of professional jazz, which he determinedly invades.
With Susan Kohner appearing as Mr. Mineo's faithful sweetheart from home and James Darren as a loyal pal, the script snugly ropes in contributions by such jazz names as Red Nichols, Shelly Manne, Anita O'Day, Buddy Lester and Buddy Troup.
With just the right mixture of boldness and likability, Mr. Mineo gives a solid, workmanlike performance at and away from the percussion. Even with Mr. Krupa himself supplying the sounds, the young actor must have practiced his head off. The musical interludes are tops. At the same time both Mr Mineo and the entire picture carry his extremely youthful appearance like an albatross.
Finally, toward the end, when both the hero and the story should have been moving, with tragic overtones, they miss fire completely. As depicted here, the musician became a heavy drinker and an off-and-on marijuana addict. Although his jail term for possession of narcoticsa frame-up, contends Mr. Mineo is briskly held up as a warning to others, Mr. Mineo's only reaction, in disgrace, is rather airy cynicism.
This extends through the spectacular comeback finale, when he recaptures his old fans. As we recall it, Mr. Krupa is supposed to have played his heart out, put his head down on his drum and wept. Not Mr. Mineo, but he and his off-screen “ghost" surely know how to pound it out.
Hot Jazz Drummer
THE GENE KRUPA STORY, screen play by Orin Jannings; directed by Don Weis; produced by Philip A. Waxman and released by Columbia Pictures. At the Forum, Broadway and Forty-sixth Street. Running time: 102 minutes.
Gene Krupa . . . . . Sal Mineo
Ethel Maguire . . . . . Susan Kohner
Eddie Sirota . . . . . James Darren
Dorissa Dinell . . . . . Susan Oliver
Mrs. Krupa . . . . . Celia Lovsky
Gloria Corregio . . . . . Yvonne Craig
