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starring: Nancy Kwan, James Shigeta, Benson Fong, Jack Soo, Juanita Halldirected by: Henry Koster
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Binding: VHS Tape
EAN: 9786300184244
Format: Color, Full Screen, HiFi Sound, NTSC
ISBN: 6300184242
Label: Universal Studios
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: Universal Studios
Release Date: March 01, 1992
Sales Rank: 9300
Studio: Universal Studios
Theatrical Release Date: November 09, 1961
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Editorial Review:
Amazon.com:
Rodgers and Hammerstein made BIG musicals--sweeping song and dance numbers, elaborate stagings, sweet heroines, and love struck but confused heroes. Flower Drum Song has all these elements, so why is it so little known? Perhaps because it had the misfortune to be released the same year (1961) as West Side Story, or maybe because at 133 minutes it's overlong, or did the audience have trouble accepting an all-Asian cast in an Asian-themed musical? Whatever the reasons, it's time to recognize Flower Drum Song for the gem it is.
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. --Dana Van Nest
Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Rating:  - Light and Fun
I hadn't thought about The Flower Drum Song in years. What a pleasant surprise to learn that this colorful and light hearted, fun musical comedy was available after all this time! It's a movie that puts a smile on your lips. I had forgotten the songs, and was pleasantly surprised at how much I liked them. Cute story, too.
Rating: - Generation Gap
"The Flower Drum Song" hasn't always been treated kindly by history. Its (almost) all-Asian cast, though not all Chinese, and its mishmash of cultural authenticity and blatant stereotypes have meant that it never really took its place on stage with the famous Rogers and Hammerstein musicals. It took a long time for this one to get a DVD release, long after Oklahoma! and The Sound of Music had already gotten the deluxe treatment.
And admittedly, it is a little odd. The story of ... Read More
Rating: - musicals
this is a great musical....if you like musicals, this one has it all....it is one of our favorites of all time!!!
Rating: - A Unknown Gem
This is one of the lesser-known Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals. It had a modest run on Broadway and, fortunately, was preserved on film in a relativly accurate version. Miyoshi Umeki makes a charming Mei Li and her portrayal as the mail-order bride is charming. Jack Soo is great as the scheming Sammy Fong. Nancy Kwan and Juanita hall round out a fine cast. With one exception (the song "Chop Suey") the score is well-written. It has great art direction and costumes and these, as well as other ... Read More
Rating: - Long Awaited.
I've wanted to own this DVD for so long. Thank you for making it possible.
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