Nominated for 5 Academy Awards, including Best Music, this romantic comedy tells the story of a young Chinese girl who travels to the United States as part of an arranged marriage and discovers a new and modern world. Featuring an all-new digitally remastered picture, 5.1 Surround Sound, never-before-seen bonus materials, and timeless musical numbers such as "I Enjoy Being a Girl," Flower Drum Song is a lavish song and dance extravaganza. Starring: Nancy Kwan, Miyoshi Umeki, James Shigeta Directed by: Henry Koster

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Flower Drum Song was unusual not only because it featured an (almost) all-Asian cast, but also because it depicted Chinese-Americans as _Americans_: a Chinese-American businessman, college student, banker, policeman, standup comic, yes, even a Chinese-American showgirl. Although the characterizations are not very deep or serious, the film is a fine showcase for some early Hollywood Asian acting talent: Nancy Kwan is gorgeous and is great in all those dance numbers; Jack Soo has a hilarious deadpan humor; James Shigeta is a real heart-throb, and Miyoshi Umeki is as sweet as can be.

Look for a brief cameo by Richard Rodgers during the "You be the Rock" number!

38 of 39 found the following review helpful:

Deserves More RecognitionMar 15, 2003
By Peter Kenney
Based on a novel by C.Y. Lee, FLOWER DRUM SONG was a hit show by Rogers and Hammerstein on Broadway in 1958. It was adapted for the screen by Joseph Fields and Oscar Hammerstein with Ross Hunter as producer and Henry Koster as director. The movie featured a mostly Asian cast with the notable exception of the very talented Juanita Hall who was famous for her role as Bloody Mary in SOUTH PACIFIC.

The young Asian performers are Nancy Kwan, Myoshi Umeki, James Shigeta and Jack Soo. Because of the venerable Chinese custom of arranged marriages, it appears that Nancy Kwan, a nightclub dancer, may marry the youthful James Shigeta while the innocent Myoshi Umeki will end up in the arms of Jack Soo, a worldly nightclub owner. Can this tragedy possibly be avoided and everybody discover their own true loves? We finally learn the answer to this question about 133 minutes later.

Don't miss Benson Fong who will be remembered as Tommy Chan in a few of the Charlie Chan films of the 1940's such as THE SHANGHAI COBRA. He appears here as James Shigeta's father.

FLOWER DRUM SONG was overshadowed by WEST SIDE STORY in 1961 but it did still manage to receive Oscar nominations for Best Color Cinematography, Color Costume Design, Color Art Direction, Scoring of a Musical Picture and Sound.

24 of 24 found the following review helpful:

Without widescreen it's a disappointment!Nov 08, 2003

Producer Ross Hunter lavished some pretty expensive-looking production values and some very capable talent on this film and, as was almost de rigueur back then, mounted it in Panavision and, of course, color. Let's have a DVD with the original ratio preserved, please! Hermes Pan's dance numbers especially (one of this enjoyable film's chief assets) cannot be fully appreciated unless they're seen on the widescreen (or its video equivalent). A panned-and-scanned VHS tape just doesn't do justice to a film which was a fine example of Hollywood professionals working their magic. I saw it first-run, way back when, and despite some reservations, thought it was pretty slick entertainment and would add a properly presented DVD version to my library without any hesitation.

32 of 34 found the following review helpful:

EXPLODES LIKE A STRING OF CHINESE FIRECRACKERSAug 04, 2006
By Robert F. Powers "show maniac"
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.

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