"The Gene Krupa Story", also known as "Drum Crazy", was the story of drummer and bandleader Gene Krupa (1909-1973). The film explored Krupa's early days when his parents wanted him to become a priest. Krupa rejects the plan and moves to New York City to make it as a musician. Actor Sal Mineo (1939-1976) played the role, and also starred in films like "Rebel Without a Cause" and "Exodus" before his untimely and mysterious murder.
2. Sissy Spacek, 1980
Answer: Loretta Lynn
"Coal Miner's Daughter" tells the story of country singer Loretta Lynn. She spent her childhood in rural Butcher Hollow, Kentucky where she was born in 1932. At thirteen years old, she married Oliver "Mooney" Lynn, and went on to write and sing songs which included "Coal Miner's Daughter" (1970) and "Don't Come Home A-Drinkin'" (1966). Sissy Spacek has had a long, successful career as an actress in films like "Carrie", "Badlands" and "The Help".
3. Jessica Lange, 1985
Answer: Patsy Cline
"Sweet Dreams" is a biopic about country singer Patsy Cline (1932-1963). It depicts her early disappointments personally and professionally, and her fateful meeting with Charlie Dick who becomes her second husband. With a new husband and a new manager, Patsy becomes a household name and a cross-over star with such hits as "Crazy" and "Walkin' After Midnight". Sadly, she was killed in a plane crash at just 30 years old. Jessica Lange has had an amazing film career which includes films like "Tootsie", "King Kong" and "Cape Fear".
4. Angela Bassett, 1993
Answer: Tina Turner
"What's Love Got to Do with It" details the life of the incredible, resilient singer, dancer and actress, Tina Turner. It takes us back to the early days when Anna Mae Bullock (Turner) first sang in a church choir in Nutbush, Tennessee. She then moved to St. Louis, Missouri where she met her partner and future husband, Ike Turner, and the duo were an instant hit.
But Ike's constant abuse forced Tina to go solo, resulting in great songs like "Private Dancer". Angela Bassett has appeared in "Waiting to Exhale" and "How Stella Got Her Grove Back".
5. Ian Hart, 1994
Answer: John Lennon
"Backbeat" is a movie which portrays the early days of The Beatles, beginning in 1960. The group, i.e., Stuart Sutcliffe, Lennon, McCartney, Harrison and Pete Best moved to Hamburg, Germany to make a name for themselves. On August 17, 1960, they began appearing at the Indra Club, and performed there eight hours a night, for over two and a half months.
It is there that bass guitarist Sutcliffe met a 'beatnik' with whom he fell in love, thereby changing the complexion of the band. British actor Ian Hart played Lennon.
He has also appeared in "Finding Neverland", "Enemy of the State" and "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone".
6. Reese Witherspoon, 2005
Answer: June Carter
Although the movie "Walk the Line" was predominantly about country music legend Johnny Cash (see Q7), the film also documented Cash's relationship with singer June Carter (1929-2003) who was to become Johnny's second wife. June had grown up with the Carter family, which was known as "The First Family of Country Music". Cash had been a fan of June Carter on the radio before he met her on tour, at which point he immediately fell in love, and found his salvation in their relationship. Reese Witherspoon portrayed June Carter Cash, and has been in films including "Legally Blonde", "Sweet Home Alabama" and "Cruel Intentions".
7. Joaquin Phoenix, 2005
Answer: Johnny Cash
"Walk the Line" was a biopic about the unusual life of iconic country singer Johnny Cash (1932-2003). He grew up on a farm in Kingsland, Arkansas where his older brother, Jack, died in a horrible accident at the age of fifteen; both Johnny and his father blamed Johnny.
The film goes on to show Cash moving to Memphis with his first wife, Vivian, and becoming a star at Sun Records. It also depicts his drug addiction and his meeting and subsequent marriage to June Carter. Joaquin Phoenix, formerly Leaf, has been in "Gladiator" and "Her".
8. Kristen Stewart, 2010
Answer: Joan Jett
"The Runaways" detailed the friendship of two Southern California teenagers, i.e., Joan Jett (Joan Larkin) and Cherie Currie, who formed the 1970s all-girl rock band, The Runaways. The film explored the relationship between the two girls, their addictions and their jealousies, along with their exploitative manager, Kim Foley. Joan Jett, later of the Blackhearts, was played by Kristen Stewart who you might remember from the "Twilight" films and "Snow White and the Huntsman".
9. Chadwick Boseman, 2014
Answer: James Brown
"Get on Up" portrays the story of the "Godfather of Soul", James Brown (1933-2006). Born in Barnwell, South Carolina, he lived his early life in poverty. He had to overcome abuse, abandonment and incarceration before joining a gospel group as a teenager.
He went on to become the creator of "funk music", fusing jazz and blues to make his iconic sound, and incorporating dance moves to make him "the hardest working man in show business". Chadwick Boseman has also portrayed Jackie Robinson in "42", and appeared in "Captain America: Civil War".
10. Don Cheadle, 2015
Answer: Miles Davis
"Miles Ahead" is a biography of the life and music of jazz trumpeter and composer, Miles Davis (1926-1991). The film featured Don Cheadle, not only in the starring role and as one of the co-writers, but also in his directorial debut. The movie was named after Davis' 1957 album, and features some of his recordings.
It shows Davis at different stages of his life, including his attempts to rebuild his career after his drug addiction in the 1970s, and his failed marriage to Frances Taylor. Don Cheadle is an accomplished actor in his own right, with films like "Devil in a Blue Dress", "Rosewood" and "Boogie Nights".
This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor LadyCaitriona before going online.
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