Flower Drum Song (1961)

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(1,781 ratings)

The only Rodgers and Hammerstein cinemadaptation to be produced by Universal Pictures, Flower Drum Song was, alas, also the only Rogers and Hammerstein film to lose money at the box office. It looks far better now than it did back in 1961, if only because of the paucity of musical films in the… More The only Rodgers and Hammerstein cinemadaptation to be produced by Universal Pictures, Flower Drum Song was, alas, also the only Rogers and Hammerstein film to lose money at the box office. It looks far better now than it did back in 1961, if only because of the paucity of musical films in the 1990s. Essentially a comedy about the culture clash between old-world Chinese and assimilated Chinese-Americans, the film begins when Mei Li (Miyoshi Umeki) and her grandfather (Kam Tong) smuggle themselves into San Francisco. It seems that Mei Li has arrived to honor an arranged marriage between herself and Runyonesque nightclub owner Sammy Fong (the incomparable Jack Soo). This might prove delicate, since Sammy is in love with flashy cabaret entertainer Linda Low (Nancy Kwan). Meanwhile, Linda is romancing Wang Ta (James Shigeta), the son of a wealthy Chinatown merchant (Benson Fong). Soon, however, Mei Li and Wang Ta have fallen in love.......It's a complex plot, to be sure, but comedy and music manage to predominate. The songs include "I Enjoy Being a Girl" (a tour de force for the special effects department, and for Nancy Kwan), "A Hundred Million Miracles," "The Other Generation," "Love Look Away," "I Am Going to Like It Here," "Don't Marry Me," "You Are Beautiful," "Grant Avenue" and "Chop Suey." Flower Drum Song is attractively produced and consummately acted; while no classic along the lines of King and I or Sound of Music, it deserves a second look. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 2 hr. 13 min.
Directed By: Henry Koster
Genres: Romance, Musical & Performing Arts, Classics, Comedy

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1961 Wide
On DVD: Nov 7, 2006
Studio: MCA Universal Home Video

Critic Reviews

Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Though not one of Oscar and Hammerstein best works, this Oscar-nominated musical about culture clash merits a viewing.
Steve Crum, Video-Reviewmaster.com
Lesser of Rodgers & Hammerstein musicals has some good songs, performances.
Eric Lurio, Greenwich Village Gazette
Somehow, they wreck Rogers and Hammerstein, although R&H didn't do all that well with the original musical.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Enjoyable, old-fashioned stage-to-screen musical.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Lanning :

Maybe not in my Top 10 favorite musical list, but plenty of great songs. My favorite is probably "Love Look Away," and it's tough to beat the appeal of a young Nancy Kwan in her absolute prime. Amazing to see Miyoshi Umeki in a romantic lead as well. I will miss her.… More
Maybe not in my Top 10 favorite musical list, but plenty of great songs. My favorite is probably "Love Look Away," and it's tough to beat the appeal of a young Nancy Kwan in her absolute prime. Amazing to see Miyoshi Umeki in a romantic lead as well. I will miss her. So now that I'm thinking about it, what are my Top 10 favorite musicals of all time? Hmmm . . . let me see . . . Brigadoon Carousel Guys and Dolls The Music Man My Fair Lady On the Town Singin' in the Rain South Pacific Top Hat West Side Story For right this minute, then, on 12/29/09, I guess that does leave out Flower Drum Song, but like all my "Top" lists, this one can be very fluid.

Cast

            Nancy Kwan as Linda Low

            James Shigeta as Wang Ta

            Juanita Hall as Auntie/Madame Liang

            Jack Soo as Sammy Fong

            Miyoshi Umeki as Mei Li

            Reiko Sato as Helen Chao

            Benson Fong as Wang Chi-Yang

            Patrick Adiarte as Wang San

            Kam Tong as Dr. Li

            Victor Sen Yung as Frankie Wing

            Soo Yong as Madame Fong

            James Hong as Headwaiter

            Spencer Chan as Dr. Chou

            Arthur Song as Dr. Fong

            Weaver Levy as Policeman

            Herman Rudin as Holdup Man

            Cherylene Lee as Sons Girl Friend

            Virginia Lee as San's Girlfiiend

            Jon Fong as Square Dance Caller

            Virginia Grey as TV Heroine

            Robert Kino as Bank Manager

            Frank Kumagai as Tradesmen

            Ching Wah Lee as Professor

            Laurette Luez as Mexican Girl

            Beulah Quo
            
            Ward Ramsey as Great White Hunter

            Paul Sorenson as TV Sheriff

            W. Beal Wong as Tailor
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