Benson Fong, Jack Soo, James Shigeta

Chinese beauty Mei Li (Miyoshi Umeki) arrives in San Francisco to meet her fiancé, wealthy nightclub owner Sammy Fong (Jack Soo), in an arranged marriage, but the groom has his eye on his star singer ...( read more  read more... )Linda Low (Nancy Kwan). This film version of the Rodgers and Hammerstein Broadway musical is filled with stunning song-and-dance numbers showcasing the contrast between Mei Li's traditional family and her growing fascination with American culture.

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75% liked it

1,220 ratings

Unrated, 2 hrs. 13 min.

Directed by: Henry Koster

Release Date: November 9, 1961

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DVD Release Date: November 7, 2006

Stats: 120 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (120)


  • July 4, 2009
    My Chinese-American mother recommend the book to me and I was very impressed with the portrayal of the San Francisco Chinatown that she spent many of her early childhood years living in. The modern introduction of the book that taught me so much about half my heritage said wonder...( read more)ful things about this musical version of the story and I was sadly disappointed. The singer seemed about as Chinese as David Carradine in "Kung Fu". The script deviated too far from the book and the best parts were omitted. Although I like Mei Li the most, she was played by a Japanese actress (which is not terrible), but I was kind of offended by the "wetback" remark used in a desperate attempt to give this a happy ending.
  • April 29, 2009
    This has got to be one of the greatest musicals i have ever seen.
  • July 28, 2008
    nominated for best picture at the golden globes
  • June 30, 2008
    on the one hand, the music was incredibly weak and gave almost no enhancement to the story. on the other hand, the story was strong and interesting enough that it didn't really need musical enhancement. I guess I would describe this movie not as a good or bad musical, but as a ...( read more)light-hearted social dramedy where people randomly break into song. in that respect, it's a little unusual, but it's not too bad. R&H were definitely out of their element on this one.
  • January 15, 2008
    Really cute movie, I guess part of it is hearing the name Mei Li throughout the movie! lol...
  • December 15, 2007
    Enchanting musical romance set in 1960's San Francisco
  • November 23, 2007
    I was 6 yrs old the first time I saw this movie in the theater the year it was released and I was totally charmed! I loved Nancy Kwan's "I Enjoy Being a Girl" and remember coming home and doing the whole routine in front of my bedroom mirror the best I could remember. 46 years ...( read more)later I just watched it again and again was totally charmed by this highly under-rated Rogers and Hammerstein film. Wonderful tunes and great dance numbers. I'm humming "A Hundred Million Miracles" and will be for the next several days, and still after all this time 'enjoy being a girl'. (who loves her musicals - this one an ol favorite)
  • September 8, 2007
    The first time I saw this, I fell in love. An oriental musical and cast about a mail order bride who ends up in San Francisco from China, to claim her groom but ends up in a twist along the way. Miyoshi Umeki, who recently passed away plays the mail order bride. Interesting music...( read more)al. Great scores A Hundred Million Miracles, Chop Suey, I Enjoy Being a Girl among others.
  • September 4, 2007
    This was one of the funnier classics that I love. It was so much fun to watch. You cna't go wrong with this one.
  • August 13, 2007
    Just a great musical!

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