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 ...
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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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Seller's Description:
James Shigeta, Miyoshi Umeki, Nancy Kwan. Very good. 1961 Run time: 132. Providing great media since 1972. All used discs are inspected and guaranteed. Digital copy/codes may be expired or not included. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
James Shigeta, Miyoshi Umeki, Nancy Kwan. Very good. 1961 Run time: 132. Providing great media since 1972. All used discs are inspected and guaranteed. Digital copy/codes may be expired or not included. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
James Shigeta, Miyoshi Umeki, Nancy Kwan. Very good. 1961 Run time: 132. Providing great media since 1972. All used discs are inspected and guaranteed. Digital copy/codes may be expired or not included. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
James Shigeta, Miyoshi Umeki, Nancy Kwan. Very good. 1961 Run time: 132. Providing great media since 1972. All used discs are inspected and guaranteed. Digital copy/codes may be expired or not included. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Fair. All our items come in the original case with artwork, though manuals and slipcovers are not always guaranteed to be included as these items are donated goods and will show some wear and tear from normal use. Jewel cases will be included but may be damaged and/or cracked. We typically resurface discs that are visibly scratched prior to shipping, but we do not test disc(s). Digital codes may not be included and have not been tested to be redeemable and/or active. Thank you for shopping with Goodwill Colorado! Orders shipped Monday through Friday. Safe and Secure Bubble Mailer! Your purchase helps put people to work and learn life skills to reach their full potential. Thank you!
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
James Shigeta, Miyoshi Umeki, Nancy Kwan. Very good. 1961 Run time: 132. Providing great media since 1972. All used discs are inspected and guaranteed. Digital copy/codes may be expired or not included. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Good in good packaging. Originally released: 2003. RELIABLE MUSIC CD with original printed insert. PRESENTABLE! You will receive a worthwhile set for your listening pleasure. A fine CD edition for your home and music library.
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Seller's Description:
James Shigeta, Miyoshi Umeki, Nancy Kwan. Very good. 1961 Run time: 132. Providing great media since 1972. All used discs are inspected and guaranteed. Digital copy/codes may be expired or not included. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Fair. All our items come in the original case with artwork, though manuals and slipcovers are not always guaranteed to be included as these items are donated goods and will show some wear and tear from normal use. Jewel cases will be included but may be damaged and/or cracked. We typically resurface discs that are visibly scratched prior to shipping, but we do not test disc(s). Digital codes may not be included and have not been tested to be redeemable and/or active. Thank you for shopping with Goodwill Colorado! Orders shipped Monday through Friday. Safe and Secure Bubble Mailer! Your purchase helps put people to work and learn life skills to reach their full potential. Thank you!
TITLE: Flower Drum Song
GENRE: An Adaptation of the Rogers and Hammerstein Braodway musical comedy
CAST: Miyoshi Umecki, Nancy Kwan, James Shigeta, Jack Soo, Benson Fong, Juanita Hall and Patrick Adiarte
PLOT: In the face of culture clashes and generation gaps and star crossed love triangles, true love will find a way (In this case a late night movie about illegal immigration helps)
RETURN ON INVESTMENT: 9 of 10 (perfect would have been if there weren't a few dubbed voices); Just for the opportunity to see the series of watercolors done by Dong Kingman for the opening credits which chronicle the travel from China to San Franciscois worth the exposure. The sets, costumes, choreography, song styles and character development help sell the points of divisions between cultures, generations and sexes true to the C.Y. Lee novel which inspired it all.
DVD BONUS: The making of... from both the R & H musical and from the historical significance of the all East Asian cast (almost) ; Analysis of the songs impact to the story. An overdubbed commentary by Nancy Kwan and a film historian.
ADDED NOTES: A thoroughly enjoyable couple of hours with some songs which have such importance in our history that they keep showing up five decades after the fact in various new iterations. Especially pleasant are Soo (of Barney Miller fame) and Umeck (still the only Asian to win a performance Oscar as support in Sayonara) singing 'Don't Marry Me' to each other about how terrible a spouse they would make.
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