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Genres: ComedyMusicalRoma
Starring: James Hong, Benson Fong, Patrick Adiarte, James Shigeta, Nancy Kwan, Jack Soo, Juanita Hall
Director(s): Henry Koster
Country: USA
Year: 1961
Available Quality: DivX, DVD, iPod
IMDB Rating: 6.8 out of 10 (1275 votes)
A Chinese woman and her father illegally enter San Francisco to marry her fiance. While in San Francisco, she meets another man and falls deeply in love with him and the American way of life to her fathers disapproval.
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Flower Drum Song (iPod) | Resolution: 480x192 px | Total Size: 392 Mb |
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Flower Drum Song (DVD) | Resolution: 720x304 px | Total Size: 1451 Mb |
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Flower Drum Song (DivX) | Resolution: 656x272 px | Total Size: 1396 Mb |
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Movie Photos:
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Visitors Review
(24 May 2012)
Sharing the thoughts of many others
I cannot believe this is not on DVD yet. There is a song by Kwan that is presented in widescreen on the VHS, but the scene of the boy dancing in the baseball uniform is pan and scan. Horrible to take away the scenery and perspective.PLEASE MAKE A WIDESCREEN DVD!!I consider this movie to be one of the top three musicals in my heart.
(24 May 2012)
Incongruous
This screen play was rated 3-stars only because of its historical value. Flower Drum Song was the first all-Asian Broadway play and Hollywood movie. That aside, there are many elements that may have worked as a play, that do not work as a movie.The music is FORMULA Rogers & Hammerstein. There are no really memerable songs. As I recall two of the songs had some very minor popularity; but, unless you are older then me (and I am on Social Security), you will probably not have heard them. The movie was incongruous because western music and Gene Kelly coreography was used to portray traditional Chinese song, dance and harmonies. This incongruity was most evident in the scenes of the Chinese New Year's Parade. The visual images of the parade were fairly authenic; however, the music overly dominated the scenes, and, was that of a classic Western marching band - even when local Asian marching bands with Asian instruments were marching by, and, during the dragon lantern sequence. The scenes ended with a 1950s Gene Kelly dance routine.The movie was sucessful in showing that the American Chinese community was just as American as the Irish, Italian and other cultural communities, even if it was oblivious to traditional Chinese song, dance and music. It also showed that there was a lot of hidden and unrecongnised talent amoung American ethnic Asian entertainers.
Lyndz W. (20 May 2012)
Similar to Eddie Murphys "Coming To America" ???..
Also a great movie for Humanity. Not only is it comical, this movie concentrates on the obstacles almost every American endures when in love: from family interferances to a change of heart. This was a great movie, I tuned into this past weekend! Like I said, its a Japanese version of Eddie Murphys "Coming To America", but with a musical twist. Any comments???............
boyshyshy (19 May 2012)
That is the shameful way how Hollywood make Eastern background films
Well, this is not a too bad movie, but I don't think it is a reallygood as so many people here have praised. First of all, the casting isreally horrible. This is a story with Chinese back ground. Why theyhave to take a Japanese woman in the age of 32 to play as a Chineseyoung girl. If they have an eye on Nancy Kwan, they should also knowthat there are thousands of Chinese oriented young talented actresses,who can play that role of Mei Li. Obviously the producer and thedirector have known nothing about Chinese culture. Such kind of familyarranged marriage in that period is usually for young girl who isbetween the age of 18-25. Also the character of Wang Tai is a young manwho has just almost finished his study. Here we can see the result,MeiLi (Miyoshi Umeki) simply looks like an young aunt of Wang Tai (JamesShigeta). Whatever, it is simply awful to see a Japanese actressplaying a role of Chinese. That is not the worst cast. For what reasonthat they need to take Jack Soo (was 44 years old at that time) as amatching role for our cute sexy Nancy Kwan (was only 22 years old atthat time)? I don't doubt about the acting talent of Mr. Soo, but weare talking a musical film. I don't think he suits this role, notconvincing at all. For all Western musical films they always takehandsome men and beautiful women to take the roles. I find that it isreally ridiculous to cast Mr. Soo for this role.About the dress, the ugly so called Chinese dress/outfit including theshoes of the role Mei Li is really horrible. Even jumping back to theChing Dinasty no one would have dressed in that way. For thedress/outfit of this role, sorry I really don't buy it! The male dancerwearing a stupid ugly mask form traditional Chinese Opera in one dancescene is awful too. Here we can really see how the West looks to theChinese and Chinese traditons in a stupid way. That is not the most horrible thing. The flaw "flower drum song" whichhas been sung in this film is the most horrible nightmare. Can theseRodgers & Hammerstein first spend some time to study or reaserach a bitto make some real Chinese flower drum song music instead of writingthat horrible song in this musical film? If you have once heard realflower drum song music, you will surely agree with me, really!The story itself in the movie is terrible too. How come such a lovelyyoung lady will run from one man to another man and back again (---Sammy Fong --- Wang Tai --- Sammy Fong --- Wang Tai) without anyhesitation or second thought about real love? I have not read the book,I don't know the real story. However the film simply is rather weak inthis point. You can't call it romantic at all. I have seen similartopic type of Hong Kong filmsn from the '60s. For the plot and storyline developing which they have done are much better than this one.This one is supposed to be a romantic musical comedy, I don't see anypart of the story being romantic or comic. They have such a budget, andthe film is a long one that is long enough to be well crafted to a realcombination of musical and romantic comedy.The only thing I appreciate is the attitude and the acting of all theactors and actresses. I also enjoy all the dancing scene too (exceptthe ugly mask). They all have contributed their best to their part. Thecolor and the beautiful cinema-scope widescreen are really nice too.Nowadays even big Hollywood productions do not use such sharp beautifulcolor anymore. Films of today are like shooting in a basement. So Igive it 6 stars for respecting the actors/actress and the dancers.To make it short, this film could be made better. However I am afraidthis is exactly the way how the West wants to make Eastern orientalbackground films. Have you ever once seen a real good Hollywoodproduction on such Eastern oriental background films? No, right?Exactly, you know what I mean!
(06 May 2012)
Flower Drum Song
This review is from: Flower Drum Song (DVD) This movie was as good as I remembered it. I not only saw it on the big screen back in 1961, but later on VHS. It is a favorite of mine. Great cast and music. A truly enjoyable movie.
(06 May 2012)
A hundred million miracles
Like Rodgers & Hammerstein's better-known The King and I (50th Anniversary Edition), this is a story about culture clash--but within a culture rather than between two of them. Wealthy and very old-fashioned Master Wang Chi-Yang (Benson Fong) lives in San Francisco with his two sons, Ta (James Shigeta), who's just about to graduate college, and San (Patrick Adiarte), about 15, plus his late wife's sister, Mme. Liang (Juanita Hall). San is 100% Americanized, Ta describes himself as half-and-half, and Mme. Liang seems happy to take the best from both cultures. To the family's door comes Samuel Adams "Sammy" Fong (Jack Soo), manager of the Celestial Garden night club, who has a delicate problem: Mei Li (Miyoshi Umeki), the picture bride arranged for by his mother (Soo Yong), has arrived from Mainland China much sooner than he had expected, complete with her father (Kam Tong), formerly of the faculty of the University of Peking. But Sammy already has a girl, Linda Low (Nancy Kwan), the star of his floor show--they've been an item for five years--and he really doesn't want an old-country bride. He knows that Master Wang, while quite willing to finance Ta's education almost unto infinity, wants to see the young man married, so he suggests that the Wangs take over the contract for Mei Li--and get her securely wed to Ta before Mme. Fong finds out she's in the country. ("Dad left her the business, if I cross her she'll cut me off without a fried noodle!" he later explains to Linda.) Meanwhile, Linda, weary of waiting for a wedding ring, has met Ta on a blind date and decided to maneuver *him* into marriage. And Helen Chao (Reiko Sato), a struggling seamstress, pines for Ta, whom she's secretly loved for years, while he barely knows she's alive. At Mme. Liang's insistence, Master Wang agrees to give Ta and Mei Li one week to fall in love "naturally, American style," and the film follows the ensuing confusions and heartbreak to a triumphant and happy climax engineered by the clever Mei Li.Given its early-1960's date, not to mention the original source (C. Y. Lee's novel Flower Drum Song), the book is naturally rather more chauvinistic than modern audiences might be comfortable with--all the women, except perhaps the older widows Mme. Liang and Mme. Fong, seem to want nothing but to be married; but it has a great intrinsic charm and lots of great R&H music (including Umeki's sweet rendition of "A Hundred Million Miracles," which, in a way, sets the tone for the entire movie, Kwan's brassy "Grant Avenue," the ensemble's "Chop Suey," and Sato's yearning "Love, Look Away"), as well as several good dance numbers. (It's also notable that the DVD seems to be able to handle the loud Chinese reds of the sets and costumes better than the VHS version did!) Chinese culture is treated with respect, if somewhat humorously (as we might expect in a musical), and Master Wang even gets the chance to maintain at least some of his traditional style. Though purists might object to the casting of so many Japanese actors in Chinese roles (to say nothing of Hall, who was neither), they seem to be able to handle the task convincingly, and although the exterior street sets are very obviously soundstage copies, they occur so seldom that you can ignore the jar. At over two hours it's a bit longer than most modern films, but not excessively so. A fine adaptation of the successful stage show (Hall, Adiarte, and Umeki recreate their original roles, while Soo is promoted from his part as the Celestial Gardens MC), with much to recommend it.
(06 May 2012)
Flower Drum Song
This review is from: Flower Drum Song (DVD) It's a classic Rodgers & Hammerstein musical. A must have if you are a musical lover, especially a Rodgers & Hammerstein musical lover.
(05 May 2012)
No DVD!!!!!!
How depressing the one movie i really wanted for my collection and no dvd yet, guess we have to wait 5 more years for it to happen...But great musical the costumes were great and the singing dancing wonderful, the romace icing on the cake and i just love everything about it...Great for that movie lover or collection of good classicals...
Tommy-1986 (05 May 2012)
An under-rated, charming film
All right, all right. Yes, "Flower Drum Song" is a bit dated, sexist, andeven a little stereotypical. The score contains a few great numberslike "Love, Look Away" and "I Enjoy Being a Girl" (In spite of the sexistlyrics, it's a fun song), but overall is not as good as other Rodgers andHammerstein scores. But there is still much to like and enjoy in thischarming film version of R&H's Broadway hit. The cast is great, andincludes several veterans of the Broadway show, most notably formerOscar-winner Miyoshi Umecki, who is utterly enchanting as Mei Li,completelyrising above the characterization of a placid "picture bride" who just sortof goes with the flow and doesn't question any of her "superiors" (men)witha performance that is sweetly comical and even a little touching at times.Other Broadway veterans Patrick Adiarte (You would never guess he was thesame guy who was that annoying Crown Prince in the movie of The King and I)and Juanita Hall (from South Pacific) are likewise great, and Jack Soo ishilarious as the hip, deadpan Sammy Fong. Of the actors chosen just forthefilm, James Shigeta has a pleasent voice and acting style as Wang Ta, andBenson Fong is good enough in the rather stereotypical role of thestubbornly traditionalist Chinese father. As for Nancy Kwan as Linda Low,she is rather wooden as an actress and must've been an even worse singer(Asshe was dubbed by BJ Baker), but does a great job dancing in the nightclubsequences. But yes, Pat Suzuki from the Broadway show would've been a muchbetter choice, judging by the original cast recording. Reiko Sato isprettygood as Helen Chao and Marilyn Horne does a beautiful job of dubbing her in"Love, Look Away." Aside from the great cast, the orchestrations arewonderful and better than the Broadway arrangements, and the choreographybyHermes Pan is really, really good. This is one of the more faithfulfilmizations of a Broadway show, aside from cutting one song (Theforgettable "Like a God"), re-ordering a few others and throwing in a fewnew scenes. And while perhaps Rodgers and Hammerstein couldn't quite bringthe depth to this story of Chinese immigrants adjusting to life in SanFrancisco's Chinatown, they did it with great charm and overall respect.There are many delights in the score such as "A Hundred Million Miracles,"the hilarious "Don't Marry Me," "Sunday," "Grant Avenue," and the lovely"You Are Beautiful." Even if these are not on a level with the other R&Hscores, they are well-written and memorable. Truly an under-rated filmthatdeserves another look. Right now in Los Angeles, a new revival of thestageversion with a completely new book by Asian-American playwright David HenryHwang is appearing, possibly on its way to Broadway. It makes sense tofinally have this story told from a truly Asian-American perspective, andhopefully, though some of Hwang's choices sound a bit odd, (Putting insomething about CHinese opera, cutting Sammy Fong and the whole "OtherGeneration" song and idea, which is pretty crucial to the original, andmaking Mei Li a refugee from Chinese Communism) hopefully this new versionwill further allow people to reconsider their view of this show and itsfilmversion.
(04 May 2012)
Another Rodgers & Hammerstein loving music
Heaven is coming back. The music of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Flower Drum Song is as excellent as the rest of them. Filmed in San Francisco Chinatown it captures all the great views. It has love, laughter and sentimental feelings. Miyoshi Umeki, Nancy Kwan, Juanita Hall and James Shigeta are great. A valued film for our musical collection. I wish these times came back on the screen, touching hearts once again.Thanks Universal pictures.
wes-connors (03 May 2012)
"Don't Take Any Wooden Chopsticks"
Mail-order bride Miyoshi Umeki (as Mei Li) arrives in San Franciscofrom Hong Kong, to marry nightclub owner Jack Soo (as Sammy Fong). But,the older man doesn't want to stop seeing sexy star attraction NancyKwan (as Linda Low). They decide to unload Ms. Umeki on James Shigeta(as Wang Ta), but he prefers locking lips with Ms. Kwan. This long,ludicrous Rodgers and Hammerstein musical could be compared to "ChopSuey" (herein a song by Juanita Hall). It isn't one of the legendaryduo's best."The Other Generation" was reincarnated as "(How Do You Solve a ProblemLike) Maria" for "The Sound of Music" (1965). The silly "I Enjoy Beinga Girl" (sung here by Betty Jane Baker) is almost a companion to "IFeel Pretty" (from that other 1961 musical). They help make thesoundtrack appealing, but Umeki's "A Hundred Million Miracles" is awinner on its own. At least, filmmakers earn points for castingcharming originals like Umeki and Mr. Soo, then not pairing them withSandra Dee and Bobby Darin. Baseball playing little brother PatrickAdiarte utters the film's best line, "Don't Take Any WoodenChopsticks." ***** Flower Drum Song (11/9/61) Henry Koster ~ Miyoshi Umeki, NancyKwan, James Shigeta, Jack Soo
(03 May 2012)
Flower Drum Song DVD
This review is from: Flower Drum Song (DVD) I've always LOVED this movie! I was thrilled when it became available on DVD. Nancy Kwan is the BEST!!! The colors are wonderful, the music sublime! Actually, I think this is one of my top 3 favorites by Rodgers & Hammerstein! If you like musicals, this is a definite great buy!
(29 April 2012)
I HAVE BEEN HEARD, WITH THE RESULT "PERFECT"
This review is from: Flower Drum Song (DVD) I'm not sure when I started to hound Universal Home Video about releasing this gem on DVD, but thank goodness I was heard, as well as many others from all the reviews of this new issue. This is my second favorite R&H film version musical behind SOUND OF MUSIC. Absolutely love the score, and always remember how charming this film is, so revisit often when I am in a foul mood or need a R&H fix. It was the only R&H musical film that still didn't have a DVD home, when all others have had at least one or two runs via Fox Home Video. I was lucky to tape the last broadcast of this film in widescreen, but it cut off the end titles a bit, so it was never complete, plus I have Universal's Pan and Scan VHS edition that is long out of print. Well, Universal has made up for it with this release.The remastering of picture and restoring the original technicolor is phenominal, especially focusing on Dong Kingman's lovely paintings that are part of the titles. I didn't imagine 5.1 Surround was possible, as it was advertised in 2.0 Stereo, but was happily surprised to see 5.1 listed on the packaging when I purchased it. The great overture sounds superb with Surround going.As mentioned by other reviewers, there is a great amount of extras that explain how the story got to Broadway in 1958, then the 1961 film, then forgotten, and then revived by the new story and presented on Broadway in 2002. I still would like to see a revival of the original Broadway version to compare it to the movie, as all I have is the Cast Recording. Still, nothing can take away the charm of this film, and the great performances of Nancy Kwan, Jack Soo, Miyoshi Umeki, Juanita Hall, Benson Fong, Reiko Sato and all the rest. During Nancy Kwan's commentary, it was sad to learn of some of the cast who are no longer with us, especially when they left us so young (Reiko Sato in particular, and Jack Soo who left us during his Barney Miller tenure). Nancy also mentioned she has been chosen to narrate a forthcoming documentary on Dong Kingman's artictic work. Only thing missing from the extras are trailers for the film, but in this case, "So what?" Though not specified as such, this 45th Anniversary celebration is great! Maybe at 50 in 2011, another edition will be shared with a few more treats. If not, I'm glad for what we have right here.Enjoy it, and thank you Universal for finally dusting off this diamond and representing it with such lustre.
(28 April 2012)
Upbeat - bright colors, interesting songs, great sets
Watch this when....you are nostalgic for a bright, happy blast from the past. This is a great old movie (1961); it's got a score by Rodgers and Hammerstein, it's set in late 1950s Chinatown in San Francisco, and it's fun to watch. It's an adaptation of hit Broadway musical comedy. The colors and costumes are wonderful; the songs and choreography are very well done and highly entertaining. It's the story of a traditional Chinese girl who has, along with her father, entered the country illegally, for an arranged marriage to the son of a San Francisco family. The problem: the parents have made the marriage arrangements, and the son who is supposed to be the happy and dutiful groom is a thoroughly Americanized nightclub owner with a thing for one of his dancers. He doesn't want to alienate his family, but he's got a life and plans of his own. How do you keep everybody happy when generations and lifestyles collide? The cool thing about this movie is that it went against the late 50s stereotypes by portraying Chinese characters as groovy swingers. And the cast was nearly all-Asian; remarkable for that era. Don't look for cultural authenticity here: many of the actors are actually Japanese not Chinese; there is such a thing as a flower drum, but it's not used in the manner portrayed in the movie, and when it comes right down to it, a lot of the elements of this movie are kind of hokey. But you know what? I love this movie, it's bright, it's cheesy, it's simplistic, it's a no-brainer, it's fun fun fun ~ it's an Elvis movie with chop suey!! In English, suitable for family viewing, run time 133 minutes.Principal Cast: Nancy Kwan, James Shigeta, Benson Fong, Jack Soo, Juanita Hall, Reiko Sato, Patrick Adiarte, Kam Tong, Victor Sen Yung, Soo Yong, Ching Wah Lee, James Hong, Miyoshi Umeki.
artzau (26 April 2012)
Not bad...Coulda been better...But, Not bad.
I've never forgiven the producers for not casting Pat Suzuki in the role ofLinda Low. She created it on Broadway and was really great. Nancy Kwanwas, well, OK, but didn't have the umph that Pat Suzuki would have broughtto that role. Now, when you consider that many of the cast wereJapanese-Americans, viz., Jack Soo, James Shigeta, Miyoshi Umeki, maybe theythought it might be overloading it a bit. But, Juanita Hall, famous forcreating Bloody Mary in South Pacific on B'way and in the film, isAfrican-American, so what's the big deal? In fact, isn't it great thatAsian-American actors got their day in the limelight? Lord knows they'vepaid their dues.This musical is rather typical Rogers and Hammerstein fare. The numbers arecompetent, the songs pleasant and the characters laudable. But, it neverreally clicked in a big way. Sure, there are great numbers, Grant Ave, SanFrancisco, California, USA...I Enjoy Being a Girl...A Hundred MillionMiracles, and others, but this play never connected the same way that otherRogers and Hammerstein works did. But, it's a pleasant show and pleasing to watch. Jack Soo was always greatand Nancy Kwan, in spite of my protests, was very cute. Check it out. Thereis video and DVD.
(25 April 2012)
Had to order the DVD!
I watched this again on cable and WOW...crazy stereotypes, non-PC language, and terrific music. I love it. I have to have it. It's worth the price just to see Jack Soo singing "Don't Marry Me". It is rather troubling that many of the stars have passed, but they are all vibrant and sharp in this musical. I always had a crush on Nancy Kwan. She is still around. Reiko Sato, who plays Helen, is wonderful in this movie, but I can't find much on her on the net. Everything about this movie is well done. It's a treasure. I also ordered the soundtrack CD, so I can rip the songs to my iPod.
(20 April 2012)
Flower Drum Song, You Are Beautiful!
This review is from: Flower Drum Song (DVD) 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!
(20 April 2012)
The title rings a bell
Did not see this film with its first release. Quite excited when the DVD was made available. Typical Rodger and Hammerstein film. Expected a bit more but on the whole is was quite enjoyable. One tends to compare it with The Sound of Music (being an evergreen) and therefore you could be disappointed.
(19 April 2012)
DVD purchase
This review is from: Flower Drum Song (DVD) The DVD (The Flower Drum Song) arrived ahead of schedule. It was in perfect condition. Shipping costs were very reasonable. Definately a first rate outfit.
aberlour36 (19 April 2012)
A lesser Hollywood musical
This film is finally out on DVD. The quality of the picture and soundis excellent, and so is the packaging. Unfortunately, the movie isn'tmuch. It's far too long, the script is consistently weak, the dancenumbers make you think you're watching the "Carol Burnett Show," theacting is mediocre, and the music, with a couple of exceptions, isforgettable. That "I Enjoy Being A Girl" is touted as the masterpieceof the production, says much. Yes, the musical numbers are lavish, anda lot of money was spent on such items as a Chinese New Year parade inSan Francisco. But where is the wit? And where is the beauty? Even whenthe music is passable, it seems to be imitating "Oklahoma" and "SouthPacific." (Unlike in the filmed version of the latter, Juanita Hall isallowed to sing her role here. Several of the other voices seem to bedubbed.) By far the most believable performer in the production isMyoshi Umeki. Believable because she actually seems to be Chinese andcan show a range of emotions that no one else in the cast apparentlycan. All in all, this is a weak way to spend two hours and twelveminutes, unless you're a musical historian interested to know how farthe talents of Richard Rogers and Oscar Hammerstein II have slipped by1961.
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