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Flower Drum Song Video

Flower Drum Song on Video - 1961

Buy Flower Drum Song on Amazon

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. (Source: Dana Van Nest for Amazon.com)

Available On:
Broadway on DVD Broadway on VHS

Starring:
Miyoshi Umeki - Mei Li

Nancy Kwan - Linda Low (singing voice by B.J. Baker)

James Shigeta - Wang Ta

Benson Fong - Wang Chi-Yang

Jack Soo - 'Sammy' Fong

Juanita Hall - Madame "Auntie" Liang

Reiko Sato - Helen Chao (singing voice by Marilyn Horne)

Patrick Adiarte - Wang San

Kam Tong - Dr. Li

Victor Sen Yung - Frankie Wing

Soo Yong - Madame Fong

James Hong - Headwaiter

Spencer Chan - Dr. Chou

Arthur Song - Dr. Fong

Weaver Levy - Policeman

Herman Rudin - Mugger

Cherylene Lee - one of Sam's Girlfriend

Virginia Ann Lee - one of Sam's Girlfriend

Jon Fong - Square dance caller

Virginia Grey - TV heroine

Robert Kino - Bank manager

Frank Kumagai - Tradesmen

Ching Wah Lee - Professor

Laurette Luez - Mexican girl & Beulah Quo

Ward Ramsey - Great white hunter

Paul Sorenson - TV sheriff

Beal Wong - Tailor

Studio: Universal Studios

Filmed: 1961 - Released: 1961

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