In the otherwise bio-degradable bioflick THE GENE KRUPA STORY, Sal Mineo’s energetic portrayal of the iconic, gum-chewing drummer is noteworthy, especially for his drumming, which the 20-year old actor learned for the film! Look at the clips below, and see how Krupa-like Mineo is – from his mouthing of the beats as he bangs, to hair flying and face blurring during his solos, right down to the little twirls he gives his sticks high in the air. It's Krupa on the soundtrack, but Mineo is channeling his style. (Trivia notes: In the early '60s I saw Krupa in person playing at Birdland in Times Square. As far away as I was from the aging star, I was dazzled. Sadly, the man who captured that energy in THE GENE KRUPA STORY was killed in a 1976 robbery gone bad. Mineo was only 37.) Mineo playing Krupa playing
The real Krupa playing
