Beyond the Sea, stars Kevin Spacey

By Jeffrey Hodgson

TORONTO (Reuters) - Late music legend Bobby Darin has taken centre stage at the Toronto International Film Festival with the world premiere of "Beyond the Sea," Kevin Spacey's impassioned biopic of the "Mack the Knife" singer.

Spacey spent more than a decade pursuing the role before deciding to produce, direct and co-write the film himself.

The two-time Oscar-winning actor said he felt compelled to tell the story of Darin, who became one of the biggest musical acts of the 1950s and '60s before a premature death in 1973 at age 37.

"I think he's been the forgotten one. Of all those Rat Pack guys and the revivals that have happened over the last 10 years of that kind of music ... Bobby Darin isn't as known and revered because I think he died too young," Spacey told Reuters before a gala screening in Toronto on Saturday.

"I hope this movie finally brings the attention and revival to his whole catalogue, and to who he was as an entertainer, that I just think is long overdue."

"Beyond the Sea" tracks Darin's life from his impoverished upbringing in New York. The singer suffered from childhood rheumatic fever that damaged his heart and left doctors convinced he'd never live to adulthood.

The experience made Darin fiercely ambitious. Determined to become a legend before the age of 25, he initially found fame with hits like "Splish Splash" and "Dream Lover."

After moving to movies, he met and married fellow teen idol Sandra Dee, a tempestuous relationship that ended in divorce.

Spacey said he grew up loving Darin's music, but the idea of a film took hold after he learned the details of his "unbelievable" story.

He tried without success to get involved with earlier Darin projects that never got off the ground. When he secured the film rights for himself he didn't plan to direct. Failed attempts to hire a director convinced him otherwise.

NOW OR NEVER

"I realised that I was either going to make this movie this year or I was never going to make this movie. And when I was faced with that choice, I decided I'll take the risk," Spacey said.

"Even though it's the first time I've officially directed myself, trust me, I've directed myself."

Spacey's choice was made all the riskier with his decision to sing his own songs and include large dance production numbers in the movie.

The actor, who won Oscars for "The Usual Suspects" and "American Beauty," admits to being nervous about how audiences will respond to the picture. He said it was way too soon to speculate about whether "Beyond the Sea" would be an award contender.

Spacey said he was encouraged by a screening of the film for Darin's son Dodd and former manager Steve Blauner, portrayed in the move by John Goodman.

"They're the two biggest critics I could have faced. And they are overjoyed at this movie ... as far as I'm concerned, that's all I need," he said.