- Actors: Nancy Kwan, James Shigeta, Benson Fong, Jack Soo, Juanita Hall
- Directors: Henry Koster
- Writers: Joseph Fields, C.Y. Lee, Oscar Hammerstein II
- Producers: Joseph Fields, Ross Hunter
- Format: NTSC, Import
- Number of tapes: 1
- Studio: Universal Studios
- VHS Release Date: Mar 1 1992
- Run Time: 133 minutes
- Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
- ASIN: 6300184242
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Product Details |
Product Description
From Amazon.com
Rodgers and Hammerstein made BIG musicals--sweeping song and dance numbers, elaborate stagings, sweet heroines, and love struck but confused heroes. Flower Drum Song has all these elements, so why is it so little known? Perhaps because it had the misfortune to be released the same year (1961) as West Side Story, or maybe because at 133 minutes it's overlong, or did the audience have trouble accepting an all-Asian cast in an Asian-themed musical? Whatever the reasons, it's time to recognize Flower Drum Song for the gem it is.
Picture bride Mei Li (Miyoshi Umeki) and her father arrive in San Francisco, having smuggled themselves into the country so Mei Li can marry nightclub owner Sammy Fong (whose mother arranged the whole deal). Mei Li is fascinated by the city and immediately charms its denizens with a delicate rendition of "One Hundred Million Miracles." Fong (Jack Soo), who is having an affair with his star singer, the sexy and scheming Linda Low (Nancy Kwan), pawns Mei Li off on the Wang family, whose eldest son, Ta (James Shigeta), needs a wife (at least that's what his father has decided). Old Chinese culture and new American ideals clash at every turn, with the elders struggling to understand their Americanized children and the children struggling to accept and honor their heritage. Though the movie is dated in some respects, the theme of assimilation vs. separation holds up remarkably well and rings true. "The Other Generation" beautifully illustrates the generation gap.
As this is a romantic musical, you know from the beginning which couples will end up together. The most famous song is "I Enjoy Being a Girl," sung by Linda Low as she dresses to seduce Wang Ta. Though too many triangulations and misunderstandings prolong the inevitable conclusion, Flower Drum Song is a very enjoyable and often funny ride. --Dana Van Nest
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Most helpful customer reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Charming,
By
This review is from: Flower Drum Song (DVD)
When you think of great musicals, "Flower Drum Song" does not come to mind. "Minor work from the masters" is what does. But after viewing it, the only word that came to mind was "charming". It was a fun and truly charming film. And what's wrong with that?
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great Fun Movie,
By
This review is from: Flower Drum Song (DVD)
'Flower Drum Song', although a dated movie, is great fun to watch. The music is extremely 'hummable' (is there such a word?) especially 'I enjoy being a girl' and 'Miracles'.The conflict of the east and west cultures is handled in an amusing way, but with understanding. The dancing and singing complements the storyline, and the kids are excellent. For old-timers, Keye Luke (Wang Chi Yang) would bring back memories of Charlie Chan's 'Number one Son' and for younger folk, Jack Soo (Sammy Fong) went on to become Detective Yemana in 'Barney Miller'. Myoshi Omeki, so sweet as Mei-Li, was just as delightful as Mrs. Livingston in TV's 'The Courtship of Eddie's Father'. 'Flower Drum Song' is an enjoyable movie for the whole family.
5.0 out of 5 stars
I was nine when I first saw this movie in Boston with my,
By A Customer
This review is from: Flower Drum Song (VHS Tape)
mother. She always picked the really good movies. This was when the movie theatres were elaborate and there were matrons in the ladies rooms. And the theatre carpet didn't smell like feet. I fell in love with James Sigata and I thought Nancy Kwan was the most beautiful woman. When I got home I got my little paper fan and pretended I was Nancy singing "I enjoy being a girl" to my mirror. I'm glad that I bought the CD and I hope they put this movie on DVD or reissue it on VHS. I'd love to have it. And a little trivia-Miyoshi Umeki was Mrs. Livingston on the TV series The Courtship of Eddie's Father.
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