Flower Drum Song
credits:
Director: Henry KosterProducer: Ross Hunter
Writer: Joesph Fields
Cast: Nancy Kwan, James Shigeta, Benson Fong, Jack Soo
A Sing-a-long Presentation
USA 1961 | 133 mins | 35mm | English
Forty-five years since its initial release and growing steadily in stature with each year, FLOWER DRUM SONG returns home to San Francisco and the Castro Theatre. At our last festival outing (SFIAAFF ’02), we couldn’t help but notice many in the audience unabashedly singing along, so we’ve decided to come out of the closet (so to speak) for a community-wide sing-along. We’ll supply the subtitled lyrics – and a few annotations for the topical references in “Chop Suey.”
Based on the 1957 novel by C.Y. Lee and set in San Francisco’s Chinatown, FLOWER DRUM SONG presents issues of generational conflict and assimilation through the central dilemma of Wang Ta (James Shigeta) and his arranged marriage to “F.O.B.” Mei Li (Miyoshi Umeki). Wang prefers showgirl Linda Low (Nancy Kwan), who performs at The Celestial Garden, a nightclub owned by Sammy Fong (Jack Soo). It’s Old World filial duty versus modern American individuality, and we all know how that story will end.
Besides the memorable songs from Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II, arguably the greatest team in the history of the musical (other works include OKLAHOMA, SOUTH PACIFIC, and THE SOUND OF MUSIC) FLOWER DRUM SONG abounds with terrific, endearing performances. For starters, it’s hard to imagine a more physically attractive pairing than James Shigeta and Nancy Kwan. Or check out the charming, solid performances of Patrick Adiarte and Cherilyn Lee, who portray Shigeta’s siblings. And what about African American actress Juanita Hall, memorable as Bloody Mary in SOUTH PACIFIC, here portraying Auntie Leong with warmth and grace.
—Stephen Gong
Print courtesy of Brian Jamieson
