Gene Krupa Movies

This release compiles a number of songs by the legendary Louis Armstrong. Taken over the course of four different decades, these performances often feature other superstars such as Gene Krupa, Bing Crosby, and Jackie Gleason. Among the numbers delivered are "Blueberry Hill," "When the Saints Go Marching In," and "Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen." ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide

Classic Rock Drum Solos offers footage of some of the most impressive percussionists in history performing by themselves in the middle of concerts. Among the legendary performers on this release are Keith Moon, Ginger Baker, Gene Kripa, Carl Palmer, Gene Krupa, and over a dozen others. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide

In the '30s, drummer Gene Krupa shifted percussion from supportive background music to a standalone art form, tout seul. Millions so worshipped his ability with the sticks that he became something of a heartthrob and even a screen idol, with onscreen appearances in such films as Howard Hawks' 1941 Ball of Fire. The home-video release Swing! Swing! Swing! presents 14 back-to-back, unexpurgated Krupa performances, where he plays with such greats as Lionel Hampton, Charlie Ventura, Anita O'Day, and Benny Goodman. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide

This PBS documentary features jazz legend Gene Krupa playing on the drums with many of the great names in music. Archival film clips capture Krupa at his best accompanying other jazz greats such as Lionel Hampton, Roy Eldridge, and Benny Goodman. Interviews with family, friends, and colleagues give the viewer insight into the man behind the drums. The program culminates with the historic battle of the drums between Krupa and fellow musician Buddy Rich. ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, All Movie Guide

Storyville Films presents this series of short music programs, originally produced between 1941 and 1947. Called "Soundies," these popular films were shown in a jukebox machine called a Panoram. In Harlem Roots, Vol. 1: The Big Bands, four of the most famous big band leaders perform, including Duke Ellington ("I Got it Bad, and That Ain't Good"), Cab Calloway ("Foo a Little Boogaloo"), Count Basie ("Take Me Back Baby"), and Lucky Millinder ("Hello, Bill"). ~ Alice Day, All Movie Guide

The Swing era conjures up images of sophisticated ladies, debonair gentlemen, and the big bands who entertained them with a certain élan. This program is the third volume in a series that captures that elegant era on film, with a look at the big bands. This episode features Gene Krupa, the Glenn Miller Band, the Ink Spots, and the Count Basie Orchestra. The viewer can enjoy 19 numbers, such as "Stompin' at the Savoy," "Red Bank Boogie," and "If I Didn't Care." Archival clips, photographs, and personal recollections of performers and fans recall the charm of this great time in American music. ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, All Movie Guide

A volume of great musicians and the music that made them great. ~ All Movie Guide

This program features a performance by jazz great Lionel Hampton, along with some of his famous musical colleagues. Lionel Hampton was the first musician to use the vibraphone -- the vibes -- as a jazz instrument. A member of Benny Goodman's jazz quartet in the 1030's, Hampton formed his own big band in the 40's. He has been changing with the musical times ever since, still performing, in solo or small groups. Hampton appears here with swinging drummer Gene Krupa, Teddy Wilson, songbird Johnny Mercer, blues giant B.B. King, as well as pop artists Dusty Springfield and Ocean. Hosted by the late Mel Torme, the video includes renditions of jazz classics, like "How High the Moon", and "Sing, Sing, Sing"; contemporary jazz and blues; and pop favorites including the Ocean hit,"Put Your Hand in the Hand". Hampton, the luminous king of the vibes, proves that his title is well deserved. ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, All Movie Guide

Sal Mineo, who'd previously registered well as the lead in the TV drama Drummer Man, essays a strikingly similar role in The Gene Krupa Story. The film details Krupa's troubled home life: (he wanted to be a musician; his father wanted him to become a priest), his rise to fame as drummer for the Benny Goodman orchestra, his years on top as a bandleader, and his ongoing problems with drug abuse. A fictional romantic subplot is grafted onto the proceeding involving clearly defined "good" and "bad" girls Ethel Maguire (Susan Kohner) and Dorissa Dinelli (Susan Oliver). Yvonne Craig has an entertaining scene as an anachronistically garbed good-time girl. Craig would later recall that, at the time of shooting The Gene Krupa Story, she weighed more than Sal Mineo, and that in the scene where he's required to lift her off the floor, she virtually had to lift him. Mineo, a drummer of some accomplishment, convincingly wields the sticks during the musical highlights, though the trickier drum solos were dubbed in by Gene Krupa himself. Real-life recording stars Anita O'Day, Red Nichols, Bobby Troup and Shelley Manne make cameo appearances. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Steve Allen makes his dramatic film debut in The Benny Goodman Story. Outside of Goodman's conflicts with his parents over his career choice, and his early frustration over not being able to play his kind of music, the film tends to be more a series of musical highlights than a biography. The film features guest appearances by Gene Krupa, Lionel Hampton, Teddy Wilson, Harry James, Martha Tilton, Ziggy Elman, and Sammy Davis Sr. (as Fletcher Henderson). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In this musical comedy, a group of clean-cut teens desire to turn an abandoned warehouse into a youth center. Unfortunately they and their two leaders are opposed by the mayor who wants to use the building for his own gain. The kids then put on a show and soon the mayor is convinced to give them the building. Musical numbers include: "Young Man with a Beat" (performed by the Gene Krupa Orchestra), "Sincerely Yours" (sung by Stewart), "Isn't This a Night for Love?" (sung by Stewart), "Household Blues" (sung by Davis), and "Young Man" (sung by Davis, Stewart). ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

A talented small town gal from Tennessee ends up in the big city after she is discovered by a talent scout. Though the scout is genuinely enthused about her latest discovery, her employers ignore the young girl, causing the enterprising scout to quit and team up with another former co-worker to create their own talent agency. With their help, the girl becomes a big hit. Gene Krupa and his band are the featured artists of this low-budget musical. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide