Flower Drum Song
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Movie Reviews of Flower Drum Song
Movie Review: EXPLODES LIKE A STRING OF CHINESE FIRECRACKERS
Summary: 5 Stars
The Broadway show of "Flower Drum Song" was considered minor Rodgers and Hammerstein but when it hit Hollywood it exploded across the screen like a string of Chinese firecrackers. Lavish and lovingly mounted musical numbers were so tasty that choosing the tastiest was as daunting as standing in front of a display case at Godiva Chocolatiers. The story may seem to be feathery light but with colorful sets and costumes and the impeccable cast and the delightful score, the movie is eye and ear candy for all.
Miyoshi Umeki as Mei-Li the mail order bride sings "A Hundred Million Miracles" and "I Am Going To Like It Here" winsomely and lovely but she proves she can be a cut-up when she plays the perfect foil to Jack Soo during the "Don't Marry Me" comic duet. Nancy Kwan as the gal with the heart of tin, although her voice is dubbed, is all perky and bright as she performs her big numbers "I Enjoy Being A Girl" "Fan Tan Fanny" "Grant Avenue" and the hilarious dream sequence with Jack Soo, "Sunday"
Reiko Sato as Helen Chow whose secret crush is unaware of her feelings sings(dubbed) and dances the heartbreakingly beautiful "Love Look Away" and Ballet.
There is also a comedy number called "Chop Suey" which details the varities and confusions of life in America for newly arrived immigrants and segues into a sort of Asian dosey-doe square dance.
"Flower Drum Song" remains one of the best and most faithful transfers of Broadway to Hollywood and I give thanks to the "Gods" who were responsible for finally releasing this joyful gem on DVD.
Movie Review: Flower Drum Song and Realpolitik
Summary: 5 Stars
Back in the 60's with Mao's anti-American Imperialism raging and America's anti-Communist fervour globalised, it wasn't easy watching Flower Drum Song (FDS) especially by pacifist overseas Chinese without cognitive dissonance.
In the air, there was a dichotomy in loyalty - whether to march with the self-determinism of Chinese pride paraded by Mao or to sway with the so-called Westernised Chinese social-economic model a la Taiwan. There was no grey mouse; one had to be either a black cat or a white one. In this era, there was also no home screening of movies a la VCR, VCD or DVD. Cinemas were kings. What we saw and what we got on the silver screen really burned into our impressionable memories and FDS was one of these unforgotten genres. It was revolutionary; a movie with overriding Chinese theme made in Hollywood albeit trying to show that the American way of life could also accommodate traditional Chinese life-style if everyone believed in co-existence pax Americana. It all seemed utopian then for realpolitik was cast in Kiplingian: OH, East is East, and West is West, and never the twain shall meet. We chased the dragon in our heads and dreamt a surrealistic haze with the melodies of FDS humming in our heads under the threat of nuclear conflagration.
Now, with the opening up of Mainland China and the issue of Taiwan less irreconcilable with their two capitalistic economies in balance, we can enjoy FDS without any tint of regrets or cognitive dissonance.
Movie Review: A hundred million miracles
Summary: 5 Stars
I first saw this play in the 1950's in an open theater in southern California. All I remember was the song and sitting among palm trees.
This play or musical is based on a novel by C.Y. Lee. Very well adapted for the screen by Joseph Fields and Oscar Hammerstein. They made everything look smooth and natural. Even the surrealistic scenes seemed like stepping into the persons head.
There are several other dimensions to this movie such as the characters are played by well know actors such as Nancy Kwan, Myoshi Umeki, James Shigeta, Benson Fong, and Jack Soo. To add to that are many memorable songs such as "A Hundred Million Miracles", "I Enjoy Being a Girl", You Are Beautiful", and "Love Look Away." Most of the scenery is of stage play quality.
The basic story is a lot of love triangle overlap In San Francisco's China Town where eastern and western culture clash. We also have generation clashes. Seems like everyone is mixed up as to who loves whom. So will they be able to straighten this out? Will we learn anything about love and family in the process?
The special edition DVD has all the standard goodies as interviews with actors. The voice over commentary has mostly Nancy Kwan talking about her role in "The World of Suzie Wong."
Flower Drum Song (1961 Film Soundtrack)
Movie Review: GOING BACK IN TIME TO FLOWER DRUM SONG.
Summary: 5 Stars
I am from NY, and yes like all big cities, we have CHINA TOWN. When I saw FLOWER DRUM SONG,I was eight years old, I knew that when I grew up I would go there. yes I love that movie. Aside from being musical, it was funny romantic and serious in certain parts a huge pagage, I am here to say that at that time in the sixties that is how it was excluding the music in the streets, unles it was their holiday. it was run only by the asians..restaurants, police, and so on. to go there was like walking in a different world, a world that i love, and miss going..so yhea unless you was married in the family and you was not an asian whould be the only reason you whould be there. I love all the music sung in this movie..It made me feel happy inside.
but that's me, I love romance with a twist. I have seen movies from all the actors after "FLOWER DRUM SONG" all have done great movies, but I'm partial to the ladies, they were acting till very old...and still beautifull..still standing tall...YOU GO GIRLS. sadly all the men are gone eccept for the younger ones. "FLOWER DRUM SONG" A BLAST FROM THE PAST
Movie Review: Flower Drum Song, You Are Beautiful!
Summary: 5 Stars
There are a lot of great reviews here for this new DVD release, and I just wanted to add my voice to the chorus. What a lovely film! I am familiar with the other 6 R&H movies, but I never saw this one all the way through before, and it sure never looked or sounded like this on TV.
Like the song, "Chop Suey," this is a mixed plate, but the overall effect is delicious. The cast is charming, with the wonderful Oscar-winner Miyoshi Umeki repeating her Broadway triumph in the central role. The score, though not top-drawer R&H, has several gems--"A Hundred Million Miracles" and the haunting "Love, Look Away" are particularly beautiful. The real star of the film may well be Alfred Newman, whose orchestrations and arrangements make everything shimmer. And those Dong Kingman title paintings are simply gorgeous.
Let's all thank Universal for (finally) doing such an outstanding job of restoring and preserving this little winner for us, and for all the future "other generations" as well. Hooray!