Flower Drum Song
by Henry Koster
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Benson Fong, Jack Soo, James Shigeta, Juanita Hall, Nancy KwanDirector: Henry Koster
Brand: NBC Universal
Cinematographer: Russell Metty
Editor: Milton Carruth
Producer: Joseph Fields
Writer: Joseph Fields
Producer: Ross Hunter
Writer: C.Y. Lee
Writer: Oscar Hammerstein II
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown), Dolby Digital 2.0; English (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled); French (Subtitled); English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0
Format: Color, Dolby, DVD, NTSC, Special Edition, Subtitled, Widescreen
Picture Format: 2.35:1
Running Time: 133 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2006-11-07
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Universal Studios
Movie Reviews of Flower Drum Song
Movie Review: Don't Worry About What to Do About the Younger Generation!
Summary: 5 Stars
I begin my editorial offering about this classic in honor of the Chinese New Year celebrations.
Rodgers'and Hammerstein's 1958 stage musical about assimilated and non-assimilated Chinese in mid-20th century San Francisco( based on a book by C.Y. Lee) alternates between reverent Eastern manners, and a modern America style.
For me it brings to mind thoughts of a childhood partially spent in Hawaii where I romped, played, encountered, and was under the authority of the Sino-American population there. It is possible that I first saw this film back then(most likely a Christmas Day airing), and the scenes of Wang San(Patrick Adiarte) and the two ponytailed and dungareed girls who came to visit him bear some familiarity to scenes of my formative years.
Our tale begins as one Dr. Li (Kam Tong) and his daughter, Mei Li (Miyoshi Umeki reprising her Broadway stage role) arrive in San Francisco as stowaways on a ship from Hong Kong, the smuggled-in guests of the Celestial Gardens Nightclub owner, Sammy Fong (Jack Soo), who wishes to bring Mei Li before the Family Council as a bride for Wang Ta( James Shigeta) the oldest son of the wealthy and venerable Wang Che-Yang(Benson Fong), a widower with two sons, and a sister-in-law, Madame Liang(Juanita Hall) who attends citizenship school and helps raise her two nephews.
But Sammy's mother, Madame Ten Fong (Soo Yong) would prefer the filial and traditional Mei Li as a bride for her less-than-traditional son, which causes complications in his relationship with his lead dancer, Linda Low(a lissome Nancy Kwan).
Dr. Li and his daughter begin their time as guests in Chi Yang's house, and Mei Li reprises the flower drum song she used to attract attention and solicit help in finding Sammy's nightclub while still wandering the streets for her host, who is enchanted by it.
Wang San teaches his female guest American slang.But Mei Li is attracted to his older brother, who in turn, has attracted the attention of Linda, whose pretty and assertively feminine musings are captured in the now-classic number, "I Enjoy Being a Girl!", sung by B.J. Baker.
We watch Chi-Yang reluctantly accept a few Western customs, and stand baffled at the antics of his completely Westernized younger son, and feeling very dismayed by his older son's love life. Shy Mei Li wonders where she fits in, and among those affected by Ta's reckless indecision is the seamstress, Helen Chao(Reiko Sato) whose wistful and dramatic fantasy sequence, "Love, Look Away", is voiced by Marilyn Horne.
We share joyous moments with the ensemble, such as the celebration of Madame Liang's graduation from citizenship school and of Ta's from college, in which both graduates and their guests reflect on America's complex society in the song, "Chop Suey" in which San really cleans up as the lead dancer, and later to Linda's celebratory performance to "Grant Avenue" during the Chinese New Year's Day parade.
But we also observe Linda's scheming, in which she employs the help of Celestial Gardens' second-rate comic, Frankie Wing(Victor Sen Yang) amid her frustrated desire to marry Sammy,as well as Sammy's scheming to break up Linda's and Ta's relationship. During a cordial moment between the often-sparring lovers, a third fantasy number, "Sunday, Sweet Sunday", while occasionally striking one as overdrawn, captures this in a chaotically comical way.
The passive and seemingly unassuming Mei Li proves herself to be clever enough to acheive her heart's desire, to the satisfaction of all involved, just when it appears that those meant to be together may lose each other forever.
Tiki Hanelei, who played Ping Pong, the butler in another 1961 release, "Blue Hawaii", is seen among the extras as one of Ta's college buddies, and George Chakiris, who did pretty well himself the same year as Bernardo in "West Side Story", is among the dancers at the graduation party.
While there may be some controversy about ethnic stereotypes, this ground- breaking film, the first to feature a predominantly Asian cast, is still a treat after nearly five decades, and it beautifully reminds us that in the end "the other generation" will eventually find its way.
Summary of Flower Drum Song
Nominated for 5 Academy Awards, including Best Music, this romantic comedy tells the story of a young Chinese girl who travels to the United States as part of an arranged marriage and discovers a new and modern world. Featuring an all-new digitally remastered picture, 5.1 Surround Sound, never-before-seen bonus materials, and timeless musical numbers such as "I Enjoy Being a Girl," Flower Drum Song is a lavish song and dance extravaganza. Starring: Nancy Kwan, Miyoshi Umeki, James Shigeta Directed by: Henry KosterSimilar DVD Movies
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