FLOWER DRUM SONG

Flower Drum Song
Universal-International, 1961, Color, 132 minutes, ***½
Released November, 1961

A young girl travels with her father from Hong Kong to San Franciscos's China Town. Her father made arrangements to marry his daughter to Wang Ta's (James Shigeta) son. Her arrival at the Wang home turns their lives topsy-turvy. Musical highlights include "A Hundred Million Miracles" and "Love Look Away," but the real show-stopper is Nancy Kwan's "I Enjoy Being a Girl."

Edward Muhl in Charge of Production
Produced by: Ross Hunter
Produced in Association with: Joseph Fields / Fields Productions
Directed by: Henry Koster
Assistant Director: Phil Bowles
Screenplay by: Joseph Fields
Based on the novel "The Flower Drum Song" by C. Y. Lee
Music Supervised and Conducted by: Alfred Newman
Associate: Ken Darby
Musical Score: Richard Rodgers
Music by: Richard Rodgers
Lyrics by: Oscar Hammerstein II
Choreography by: Hermes Pan
Technical Advisors: H. K. Wong, Albert Lim
Art Directors: Alexander Golitzen and Joseph Wright
Set Decorations: Howard Bristol
Costumes: Irene Sharaff
Make-Up: Bud Westmore
Hair Stylist: Larry Gemain
Sound: Waldon O. Watson, Joe Lapis
Director of Photography: Russell Metty
Filmed in Panavision and Technicolor
Film Editor: Milton Carruth

Awards: Academy Award Nominations for Best Color Cinematography, Best Score (Musical), Best Art Direction/Set Decoration (Color), Best Costume Design, Best Sound

Cast: Nancy Kwan [Linda Low], James Shigeta [Wang Ta], Juanita Hall [Auntie / Madame Liang], Jack Soo [Sammy Fong], Miyoshi Umeki [Mei Li], Benson Fong [Wang Chi-Yang], Reiko Sato [Helen Chao], Patrick Adiarte [Wang San], Kam Tong [Dr. Li], Victor Sen Yung [Frankie Wing], Soo Young [Madame Fong], Ching Wah Lee [Professor], James Hong [Headwaiter], Spencer Chan [Dr. Chon], Arthur Song [Dr. Fong], Weaver Levy [Policeman], Herman Rudin [Holdup Man], Cherylene Lee [San's Girl Friend], Virginia Lee [San's Girl Friend], Virginia Grey [TV Heroine], Paul Sorenson [TV Sheriff], Ward Ramsey [Great White Hunter], Laurette Luez [Mexican Girl], Robert Kino [Bank Manager], Beal Wong [Tailor], Jon Fong [Square Dance Caller], Willard Lee [Tradesman], Frank Kumagai [Tradesman], B. J. Baker [singing voice of Linda Lowe]

Musical Program: [0:00] Overture (played by Orchestra behind titles); [0:09] A Hundred Million Miracles (sung by Miyoshi Umeki, Kam Tong and Chorus); [0:14] Fan Tan Fannie (sung and danced by Nancy Kwan and The Celestial Garden Lulus); [0:23] The Other Generation (sung by Benson Fong and Juanita Hall; sung and danced by Patrick Adiarte, Cherylene Lee and Virginia Lee); [0:31] A Hundred Million Miracles (sung by Miyoshi Umeki); [0:34] I Enjoy Being a Girl (performed by Nancy Kwan dubbed by Betty Jane "B. J." Baker); [0:43] I Am Going to Like It Here (sung by Miyoshi Umeki); [0:56] Chop Suey (sung by Juanita Hall, James Shigeta, Patrick Adiarte and Ensemble; danced by Ensemble); [1:09] Stars and Stripes Forever (played by Marching Band during parade); [1:12] Grant Avenue (sung and danced by Nancy Kwan and Chorus, Nancy Kwan dubbed by B. J. Baker); [1:19] Gliding Through My Memoree (sung by Victor Sen Yung, paraded by Celestial Garden Show Girls; then danced by Nancy Kwan and Girls); [1:26] Love Look Away (sung by Reiko Sato; danced by Reiko Sato, James Shigeta and Ensemble); [1:38] You Are Beautiful (sung by James Shigeta); [1:44] Sunday (performed by Jack Soo, Nancy Kwan and Ensemble; B. J. Baker dubbing for Nancy Kwan); [1:57] Don't Marry Me (performed by Jack Soo and Miyoshi Umeki); [2:10] A Hundred Million Miracles (short reprisal by Miyoshi Umeki, B. J. Baker and Chorus)