The Gene Krupa Story

Starring:Sal Mineo, Susan Kohner, James Darren, Susan Oliver, Yvonne Craig, Lawrence Dobkin, Celia Lovsky, Red Nichols, Bobby Troup, Anita O'Day, Shelly Manne, Buddy Lester, Ruby Lane, Gavin MacLeod, John Bleifer, Al Silvani, Stanley Adams, Henry Beau, Gene Krupa
Director: Don Weis
Studio: Sony Pictures
Product Type: DVD

Average customer rating:

Glenn Miller's music still lives
Delightful!
The Glenn Miller Story
Timeless story for musicians
i love glen millers music

The Glenn Miller Story
Starring: James Stewart , June Allyson , Harry Morgan , Charles Drake , and George Tobias
Director: Anthony Mann
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Period Piece | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Classics | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Musicals & Performing Arts | Genres | DVD | Video

4-for-3 Drama | 4-for-3 DVD | Stores | DVD | Video

4-for-3 All DVDs | 4-for-3 DVD | Stores | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( G ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

The Benny Goodman Story
The Eddy Duchin Story
Yankee Doodle Dandy (Two-Disc Special Edition)
The Five Pennies
The Gene Krupa Story

ASIN: B00008DDRT
Release Date: 2003-03-04

Amazon.com essential video

James Stewart, at his warmest and most avuncular, plays the bandleader who rocketed to fame during the swing era. The Glenn Miller Story may be a whitewashed version of Miller's life, but it certainly is a pleasant example of the feel-good Hollywood biopic, with the usual conventions: early struggles, loyal wife (June Allyson at her chirpiest), personal sacrifice--Miller joins the Army when war breaks out, although he doesn't have to--and ultimate tragedy. All the Glenn Miller classics filling the soundtrack make the film pretty easy to take, too: "Moonlight Serenade," "A String of Pearls," "Chattanooga Choo-Choo." Miller plays the great "In the Mood" with his military band during a World War II air-raid warning. Pure corn, but it works. Director Anthony Mann, better known for his superb series of hard-bitten fifties westerns with Stewart, keeps the story moving gently and gracefully. A hot jazz interlude features Louis Armstrong and Gene Krupa. --Robert Horton

Customer Reviews:

Glenn Miller's music still lives.......2007-06-11

The music of Glenn Miller defined the music of the WWII generation. If you remember the music or just really like the "Big Band" sound of that time (like I do) this is a great DVD to have. Jimmy Stewart is believable as the lanky Miller. The photos of the young GIs marching in review before the commanding general with smiles on their faces and a swagger in their steps are priceless to see. I love those young men of the Greatest Generation. My dad, mom, aunts, uncles, father and mother-in-law were a part of them. When I look at the young faces of the GIs I want to cry for them. A great movie to watch and to get to hear some really rousing big band sound from your TV again. We have lost a lot of great musicians to plane crashes. Miller's plane was hit by a bomb from a bomber flying back to base with bombs still on board who was told to drop them in the ocean. A terrible shame, a waste, and a loss.

Delightful!.......2007-05-12

Generational, touching and the music speaks for itself. What a loss of a talent!

The Glenn Miller Story.......2007-04-25

If you like Glenn Miller, you will love this movie. I first saw it when it first came out in 1954. It is a great story about the man who wanted to develope his own sound. Jimmy Stewart and June Allison play very believeable parts, depicting the early life and final days of a great love and a great musician. The band in the movie includes many original Glenn Miller Orchestra members. Also interesting to see was a young Harry Morgan.

Timeless story for musicians.......2007-04-15

My sons are musicians who have experienced setbacks and success and then setbacks again, and the fact that Glen Miller pressed on to find his sound always inspires us to keep at it! We realize that Jimmy Stewart played Jimmy Stewart, and June Allyson played June Allyson, but it's still a feel good movie, even tho you know the end. Definitely a good one for encouraging us to keep at it, no matter what our struggle.

i love glen millers music.......2007-04-13

i was so happy to recieve this movie,its very rarely shown on tv,i own my own thanks to amazon. the music in this movie is magnificent it's something to treasure for a life time .glen miller was a great composer ,one of my favorites is moonlight serenade ,they just cant make music like this any more ,this is a great movie to add to your collection. thank you amazon

Average customer rating:

Great Movie
the benny goodman story
Great True Story
Benny Goodman Kind of Swing
BENNY GOODMAN STORY

The Benny Goodman Story
Starring: Steve Allen , Donna Reed , Berta Gersten , Barry Truex , and Herbert Anderson
Director: Valentine Davies
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Classics | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

Drama | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Musicals & Performing Arts | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $9.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

All Deals | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( B ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

The Glenn Miller Story
The Gene Krupa Story
Benny Goodman - Adventures in the Kingdom of Swing
The Eddy Duchin Story
Orchestra Wives

ASIN: B00008DDRU
Release Date: 2003-03-04

Amazon.com

It lacks the tragic ending of The Glenn Miller Story, a smash hit released a year earlier, but this enjoyable musical biopic does a nice job of blending Benny Goodman's sweet swinging clarinet with a healthy dose of Hollywood hokum. The emphasis is on Goodman's struggle to get "hot music" into the mainstream, and his shy wooing of a socialite (Donna Reed). With Steve Allen cast as the bespectacled Goodman, there's a comic undertone to the bandleader's somewhat geeky demeanor, and Allen (a musician himself) is believable fronting the orchestra. Real-life swing figures, including Goodman Quartet players Gene Krupa, Teddy Wilson, and Lionel Hampton, lend verisimilitude. The climax comes with Goodman's legendary 1938 jazz concert at Carnegie Hall, a turning point in American popular music--and the sight of a mild-mannered man in a tuxedo leading his band through the glorious frenzy of "Sing, Sing, Sing" remains a delight. --Robert Horton

Customer Reviews:

Great Movie .......2007-05-12

Good acting and great music . KUDOS to Gene Krupa's cameo spots.

the benny goodman story.......2007-04-13

this is a very good movie to watch.the music is splendid it makes you wish to be back in that time when music had more of a meaning donna reed is one of my favorit actresses.thank you for this movie monica grampton

Great True Story.......2007-03-12

I gave this DVD as a gift. The recipient has told me it is a great movie for the whole family to enjoy. Would recommend it. The price was good and I received it in a timely manner. Very good experience all around.

Benny Goodman Kind of Swing.......2007-02-20

Great film, entertaining , informative a great start for anyone interested in finding out about swing , good viewing for all the family.
Debbie Curtis (Debbie Curtis Radio Big Band )

BENNY GOODMAN STORY.......2007-02-11

What the movie lacks in historical fact, it more than makes up for with music and entertainment. For nostalgia, and swing buffs it will warm their "memories." The Mancini cues are, of course, flawless. It was also nice seeing Gene Krupa, Ziggy Elman, Harry James, Kid Ory, Teddy Wilson, and Lionel Hampton on the big screen, rather than having someone else portraying them.
Tony Horowitz
[...]

Average customer rating:

The Gene Krupa Story
The Gene Krupa Story
GENE KRUPA STORY
I wish it was in color
One Weird Film-Big Bands for Bobby Soxers

The Gene Krupa Story
Starring: Sal Mineo , Susan Kohner , James Darren , Susan Oliver , and Yvonne Craig
Director: Don Weis
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Classics | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Comedy | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( G ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

The Benny Goodman Story
The Glenn Miller Story
Gene Krupa Swing, Swing, Swing DVD
The Eddy Duchin Story
Benny Goodman - Adventures in the Kingdom of Swing

ASIN: B0001LJCOS
Release Date: 2004-05-18

Customer Reviews:

The Gene Krupa Story.......2007-04-10

It was a very good picture, it wasn't the Gene Krupa story that I was expecting but it was still very good. Very impressed that there was no bad language in it.
Also purchased these movies due to my mothers maiden name was Krupa.

The Gene Krupa Story.......2007-03-09

Hello Dear Amazon Com
The commodity arrived safely though it took while it was a few. Thank
you.

GENE KRUPA STORY.......2007-02-11

Any film that features Gene Krupa and Shelly Manne on the track is worth seeing. It would have been nice to have more music included, such as the songs that featured Roy Eldridge, as well as Anita O'Day. Sal Mineo carried off the Krupa role with great style. For swing fans, it's a "must see."
Tony Horowitz
[...]

I wish it was in color.......2007-01-15

Interesting picture based on the life of Gene Krupa. Sal Mineo is the lead and he's got the timing down, his drumming matches the sound track. It's the only other show I've seen Susan Kohner in besides Imitation of Life. James Darren gets to play a more mature young man as Gene's best friend Eddie Sirota than he plays as Moondoggie. Susan Oliver is good as the bad girl who leads Gene astray.

One Weird Film-Big Bands for Bobby Soxers.......2006-11-15

Imagine that it is 1970 and they have just released "The Frank Sinatra Story" with then 20 year-old David Cassidy playing the Italian crooner from ages 17 through 47. If that sounds weird imagine that the production designer on the film never shows up and they film it as if everything from 1935 to 1965 looks (and everyone talks) like it is set in 1970. Finally imagine that to preserve the 1970's look, all the action takes place inside, with one short scene on an indoor sound stage with fake grass and trees.

That is essentially "The Gene Krupa Story", with bobby soxer heartthrob Sal Mineo replacing Cassidy, Krupa replacing Sinatra, and the look of 1959 replacing 1970. Mineo was the Cassidy of his generation, with about the same level of acting talent but harder working and more willing to take direction.

Like the imagined "Cassidy as Sinatra" film, the idea was to expand the target audience by including someone who would attract teen and pre-teen girls. In this "The Gene Krupa Story" was successful and the film had good box office. The downside was that big band fans generally considered the whole production laughable. My father was a huge Krupa fan and he hated this film with an unprecedented passion. In part for the cheap production design and in part because of Mineo and the reasons for his casting, but largely because of the many factual omissions and distortions. To him the only saving grace was that they used Krupa's actual drumming, to which Mineo is generally in sync although there are times when he is beating a tom and the sound is that of a cymbal.

Like most Hollywood bio movies ("The Lou Gerhig Story", "The Al Jolson Story", etc.) Krupa's mother was violently opposed to her son's ambitions, in this case she and her husband want him to be a priest. But he leaves the seminary to set out for New York with Eddie Sirota (James Darren) and Eddie's composer girlfriend, Ethel (Susan Kohner). After a rough three months Ethel is forced to take a job as a telephone operator and her romantic interest switches to Gene.

Gene's career takes off and he begins running with a fast crowd of 1930's musicians (who sound strangely like a Maynard G. Kreb's take on the 1950's beat scene). A jazz singer named Dorissa Dinell (Susan Oliver) connects him with some dope dealers and the film gets a lot like "Reefer Madness" (but with a 1959 setting). Which may account for a surreal montage of newspaper headlines chronicling his rise to national fame and his fall in a drug bust. There is even an "I told you so" phone call from mom. This has ramifications beyond Krupa as the entire jazz world is outed as dope fiends and corrupter of America's youth. When the chips are down, Dorissa bails on Gene with the classic exit line: "Now if you'll excuse me, I've got a town I'd better get out of." Gene is reduced to playing in strip clubs with other beatnik musicians wearing dark glasses. When it seems like he can't go on another day Ethel re-enters his life and things begin to break his way once again.

For the aging sequences Mineo could draw upon the example James Dean, who he worked with in both "Rebel Without a Cause" and "Giant". Dean was faced with the same challenge in "Giant" and Mineo's attempt here is clearly superior. So much so that what could have been the film's biggest liability is actually a strength. And Mineo successfully mimics Krupa distinctive drumming style and facial expressions, details that he worked on with Krupa himself. There are seven drum solo set pieces, mostly medium shots that capture the spirit if not the actual magic of a Krupa performance.

Susan Kohner shows considerable range in two of her 1959 films, this one and "Imitation of Life". Here she will remind you of Eva Marie Saint's "On the Waterfront" character, a considerable contrast with the overwrought racially conflicted daughter she played in the other film. The likable James Darren (later to star in television's "The Time Tunnel") is a better singer than an actor. His scenes with Mineo are pretty awful, certainly the film's worst moments, and the fault does not lie with Mineo who tends to play up or down to the level of whoever he shares a scene. The hard working Mineo simply did not have enough talent or training to salvage a scene gone bad and really needed to be surrounded by a strong cast to help him sell his characterizations. Susan Oliver ("Butterfield 8") gets the best role and has a lot of fun with her character, benefiting from having almost all of the film's good lines. "Snow me again, junior, because I didn't quite get your drift."

Then again, what do I know? I'm only a child.

Average customer rating:

Gene Krupa Jazz Innovator

Gene Krupa Jazz Legend
Starring: Steve Allen , Louis Bellson , Benny Goodman , Sid Catlett , and Roy Eldridge
Director: Glenn Mangel
Manufacturer: Warner Bros Publications
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Musicals & Performing Arts | Genres | DVD | Video

Independently Distributed | Musicals & Performing Arts | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Music Video & Concerts | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Special Interests | Genres | DVD | Video

Music Video & Concerts | Independently Distributed | Stores | DVD | Video

Special Interests | Independently Distributed | Stores | DVD | Video

Independently Distributed | Indie & Art House | Stores | DVD | Video

( G ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

Gene Krupa Swing, Swing, Swing DVD
The Gene Krupa Story
Benny Goodman - Adventures in the Kingdom of Swing
Jazz Legend
The Buddy Rich Collector's Edition (2-Disc Set)

ASIN: B0001XAM5O
Release Date: 2004-01-21

Description

Gene Krupa made the drums a solo instrument, and he remains one of the most famous drummers in history. Rare footage from the 1940's. Featured is an interview with Krupa, commentary from Louis Bellson and narrated by Steve Allen. Bonus DVD Features include: Six never-before-seen performances, Eight additional audio tracks featuring Gene's brilliant performances, Printable drum charts, Internet connectivity.

Customer Reviews:

Gene Krupa Jazz Innovator.......2006-07-15

A person is usually recognized as an innovator if they dramatically change how something is done, or perceived. Gene Krupa no doubt changed the role of the drummer, and how drums were played in the world of music in general and more specifically, the world of jazz. Krupa's unique style, showmanship and dedication to his art transformed the role of the drummer from one of insignificance to solo status, the equal of any other instrumentalist in a band. Gene Krupa, Jazz Legend, is an absolute must have for anyone interested in drumming, great music, or a well done biography of a true jazz giant.

The DVD contains many taped and filmed Krupa performances including a killer version of Sing, Sing, Sing from the 1937 movie, Hollywood Hotel. Krupa's own big band is featured and highlights performances by Krupa, Roy Eldridge and Anita O'Day. Of particular interest were several taped reunion performances from the early 1970s featuring Krupa, Benny Goodman, Lionel Hampton, Teddy Wilson and Buddy Rich. These performances marked a period in Krupa's life when illness was taking a toll on his body, but was unable to conquer the man's heart, spirit, and love of his music. Gene Krupa, Jazz Legend also offers additional performances, and a number of audio tracks.

Louis Bellson, a fine drummer in his own right, injects his own personal thoughts on Krupa, as friend, colleague and fellow artist. Adding to the commentary is a fine interview with Krupa himself. Gene noted his own thoughts on drumming, and the influences on his own style which included the contributions of Baby Dodds, and the incredible Chick Webb.

If I had to offer one criticism, it would be that the scope of Krupa's career and contributions probably warranted a slightly longer biographical examination; however this does not significantly detract from this overall fine presentation.

Gene Krupa was a true innovator, but more simply put, he was a man that loved music and performing. He was a rare talent who transcended musical generations, and still has much to offer any lover of music. Have a listen and a look. You won't be disappointed.

DVD:

DVD List

DVD

DVD

George Gershwin - Porgy & Bess / Trevor Nunn · Sir Simon Rattle · W. White · C. Haymon · Glyndebourne Opera

Flash Gordon: The Purple Death From Outer Space

Big Green (REGION 1) (NTSC)

DVD: Chandu on the Magic Island:Feature

She's The One / Picture Perfect / The Good Girl