Visitors Review

skiddoo (2012-05-26 00:19)

not my favorite but okay

My parents enjoyed this when it first came out and had the album but Inever listened to it. I hadn't researched it before I saw it. I didn'tknow the controversy or that it was based on a book--which sounds likesomething I'd like to read. Only the artwork was familiar from thealbum cover.I felt the plot was sketchy. I didn't know what the back story was withHelen Chao so her actions seemed abrupt and strange. I didn't think MeiLi and Wang Ta had any chemistry together. She only came alive in thenumber Don't Marry Me with Sammy Fong and I felt disappointed when Isaw her in the kissing scene with Wang Ta afterward. That was myfavorite song of the musical and I loved that they didn't dub it so Icould hear it in Soo's own distinctive voice. He reminded me of MarlonBrando singing Luck Be a Lady and added a touch of reality to theproceedings. If Mei Li and Sammy could have made a go of it they mighthave rubbed off on each other a little and she wouldn't have spent therest of her life humbly conversing in low tones. He might have evenmade her angry enough to yell at him! Sammy had his faults, heaven knows, but at least he had some zip to himwhich was sadly lacking in everyone else. I don't know if the flatnessof the feeling overall was supposed to reflect the restraint of theChinese culture or if it came from casting and directing.My biggest problem with this movie wasn't its doing. I kept picturingthese actors in other, later roles, and in some cases speaking morefamous lines.It seems to me a movie of and about its time. A lot of people couldidentify with the Old Country/New Country theme. The generation gaptheme wasn't as fully realized and was mostly about bop slang. Ithought it was done better in Bye, Bye, Birdie. The main character wastorn between two cultures, and apparently too sheltered (strict father,nose to the grindstone at school?) to understand women, but he didn'tseem to be a rebel and didn't stop the wedding. Some romantic hero HEturned out to be! :) It was up to the submissive little woman to savethe day. That was my second favorite part of the movie! I'm guessingthat was what appealed to my mother the most.

(2012-05-25 07:27)

San Francisco, USA

An ethnic musical by the great Rodgers and Hammerstein! Begins with Mei Li and her father stowing away on a ship from China to the USA to meet her husband-to-be, Sammy Fong. Song "A Hundred Million Miracles" in the park is sweet - and funny situation with the Cop being unable to read Chinese and having to get help from the crowd.Linda Low is very A-typical Chinese Girl (according to the stereotype of the time) and changes her focus from long-time love, Sammy Fong, to Ta when Sammy won't produce a ring!Dance scene at Graduation party is good! Lots of great dancers - thought some of the curly hairstyles (typical of late 50's early 60's for non-Asians) were a little out-of-place...but only a minor detail.Ta's father is typical "Old Chinese" and his coughing spells to get his way are hilarious!Mei Li's watching TV to learn English is cute (actually reminds me of "Splash") and her innocence is believable!Childrens' dancing in courtyard is great, but sure wish it wasn't so much just panning the kids and would show more scenery - DVD Widescreen Edition, PLEASE!!!Let's pop the corn and watch together! A GREAT movie to watch with the family! Pam Crenwelge (Wayne's Wife), Katy, TX

(2012-05-25 12:44)

Light and Fun

This review is from: Flower Drum Song (DVD) 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.

(2012-05-24 16:40)

Flower Drum Song

I've waited a long time for this one, Rodgers and Hammersteins best. The re mastering in both picture and sound is excellent. A must for all musical fans

(2012-05-23 07:14)

Flower Drum Song

This review is from: Flower Drum Song (DVD) It's a classic Rodgers & Hammerstein musical. A must have if you are a musical lover, especially a Rodgers & Hammerstein musical lover.

(2012-05-22 19:49)

Finally!

I have been a huge fan of this movie since I was a kid, and was wondering when they'd have this out in DVD. After so many years of seeing the other Rogers and Hammerstein musicals being issued, I began to think that this was going to be ignored, but now I'm so glad it's finally out!As an english-speaking person of chinese descent living in Asia, I feel compelled to say that I do not find the movie politically offensive at all. Sure there are send-ups of some of the more exotic things about the Chinese, but it's all done in good spirit. Besides, some of the wackier stuff is true anyway!! The people who wrote the screenplay have done their research well, and some of the digs are so subtle I feel that only we Chinese would get it! Go buy this DVD and support the movie!ps. I just LOVE the "Chop Suey" number where anything and everything gets speared, and Junaita Hall is just adorable with her whiplash one-liners!

(2012-05-19 11:13)

Abysmal, childish, silly (not humorous)...

This review is from: Flower Drum Song (DVD) I have never viewed a musical as bad as this. The story line, plot, script and music are, IMHO, annoying, demeaning, juvenile and, well, just plain ghastly. And I say this because my retarded/cerebral palsy sister watches it about twice per week, and I cannot help but be exposed to it since she is also hearing-impaired. It's a sickening exercise in stupidity, condescending cultural racism, and really bad music. It belongs to a prior era's sensibilities and biases -barely.

(2012-05-18 14:01)

Flower Drum song

Product arrived sealed as promised. Video quality good.Very satisified with the purchase.

(2012-05-16 17:31)

Excellent and delightful movie

I thoroughly enjoyed this movie and the songs are just wonderful. Indeed, an excellent production

(2012-05-16 10:51)

A forgotten Gem

This is definately a campy musical. I believe it would not have gone nearly forgotten had it not come out the same year as West Side Story. not sure, but I do believe it was nominated for a few Academy awards, of which went to West Side Story. Definately a must see if you are a musical fan and enjoy campy R&H musicals.

(2012-05-12 08:08)

"A hundred million miracles....."

This review is from: Flower Drum Song [VHS] (VHS Tape) Why 'oh why is this not on DVD? This is one of the most delightful musicals ever written both for the stage and screen. The music score is out of this world, the acting, singing, dancing, costumes, sets are all brilliant.. This is truly a wonderful classic and i watch this movie several times a year. Nancy Kwan looks beautiful especially in "I enjoy being a Girl." All the songs are great with a wonderful orchestration.I have this musical on VHS 3-channel stereo. I can just imagine how beautiful this would look in wide screen and 5.1. Please please please someone transfer this to DVD. This is such a feel good musical. This movie deserves 5 stars times one thousand. It's wonderful.

(2012-05-11 16:19)

Without widescreen it's a disappointment!

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.

(2012-05-11 16:05)

Flower Drum Song

This review is from: Flower Drum Song (DVD) Excellent Movie. So nice that we have access to such great classics. Movies now days are not the same! Great and fast service. Very pleased. Thank you.

(2012-05-11 00:38)

The Floweer Drum Song

A Forgetable movie, where the songs seem to be dubbed over the audio track.While the storyline is OK, the movie failed to keep my attention. Acting styles have changed since this was made.Only worthwhile if you are a musical collector.

(2012-05-10 09:55)

Great fun, but offensive.

I love this film, but on a camp level. It is the most sexist and racist musical to come out of Hollywood, and I certainly wouldn't want to show my grandchildren - I suppose it was revolutionary for it's time (all Asian cast - though most were Japanese, not Chinese), but it does not hold up today ("my future I hope will be in the home of a brave and free male"). Don't get me wrong, it's great (some of the dance numbers are fantastic) - but like Showgirls is great.

(2012-05-09 23:55)

Middling Rodgers and Hammerstein

This pedestrian version of the R&H Broadway musical highlights the drawbacks of the original while sacrificing most of its charm. "Flower Drum Song" was not one of the teams masterworks, although it contains several songs that rank with their best. Unfortunately, the score (which admittedly contains a couple of clinkers) was tied to a superficial and trivial book that sometimes deteriorated into stereotype. That said, the original cast album is a charming document of the stage show, while this film is a crass fiasco. At 133 minutes, it's overlong by half, but it still feels like the characters' relationships are rushed and poorly realized. The garish technicolor has not aged well, nor has the pre-feminist, slightly stereotyped storyline. What lasts is the mostly fine score, the standouts of which include "A Hundred Million Miracles", "I Enjoy Being a Girl", You Are Beautiful" and the gorgeous "Love Look Away". While these are hardly definitive versions, they are lovely to hear. The cast tries hard but they can't defeat the lackluster surroundings. Miyoshi Umeki repeats her stage role but, unfortunately, she seems to have been directed to act like a cross between a simpleton and a doormat. It's a one-note performance. Nancy Kwan, the star attraction, brings vitality and charm to her role, but she is paired with the bland James Shigeta, who barely registers in the male lead. Juanita Hall seems to be reprising her Bloody Mary role in "South Pacific", and what's with Patrick Adiarte as the younger brother? Dressed in a baseball uniform, he still manages to come across as the feyest shortstop in the league. This ultimately lugubrious enterprise is a mixed bag at best. If you like R&H and can sit still through the slow parts, you'll enjoy the music. For everyone else, stick with the cast recording.

(2012-05-06 20:17)

GOING BACK IN TIME TO FLOWER DRUM SONG.

I am from NY, and yes like all big cities, we have CHINA TOWN. When I saw FLOWER DRUM SONG,I was eight years old, I knew that when I grew up I would go there. yes I love that movie. Aside from being musical, it was funny romantic and serious in certain parts a huge pagage, I am here to say that at that time in the sixties that is how it was excluding the music in the streets, unles it was their holiday. it was run only by the asians..restaurants, police, and so on. to go there was like walking in a different world, a world that i love, and miss going..so yhea unless you was married in the family and you was not an asian whould be the only reason you whould be there. I love all the music sung in this movie..It made me feel happy inside. but that's me, I love romance with a twist. I have seen movies from all the actors after "FLOWER DRUM SONG" all have done great movies, but I'm partial to the ladies, they were acting till very old...and still beautifull..still standing tall...YOU GO GIRLS. sadly all the men are gone eccept for the younger ones. "FLOWER DRUM SONG" A BLAST FROM THE PAST

(2012-05-06 07:37)

Fun R&H,but should have been better

OK.so it ain't "The King And I"."Flower Drum Song" is still solid,entertaining Rodgers and Hammerstein.This film version is good,but definitely not up to "King"and "The Sound Of Music".Think more "Carousel" and "South Pacific".The movie has two major problems.Joseph Fields's script is,as it was on Broadway,dated and full of stereotyped characters,for one thing.The other is that producer Ross Hunter and director Henry Koster try hard,but it's clear they did not know how to make a major movie musical.The film is slow-paced and at times more like just a photographed Broadway show.Still,there are enough good things to recommend the movie.The Alexander Golitzen-Joseph Wright-Howard Bristol sets and Irene Sharaff costumes look great in Russell Metty's gorgeous Technicolor photography.The cast is very good(Nancy Kwan and Miyoshi Umeki steal the show).And best of all is that lovely R&H score,expertly done under the brilliant direction of maestro Alfred Newman.So overall,this is a typical 1960s musical that provides good fun.Flower Drum Song (1958 Original Broadway Cast)Flower Drum Song (1961 Film Soundtrack)

(2012-05-06 11:11)

A hundred million smiles

I agree with a previous comment that said this is one of Rodgers and Hammrsteins most underated musicals,and its too bad it had to be released the same year as West Side Story! Although almost 40 years later, Flower Drum Song may appear dated and just slightly chauvinistic, it is none the less a charming 'multi-cultural' piece. I am a huge James Shigeta fan from way back and prefere him as a leading man instead of a WW II villian. Myioshi Umeki(sp) is absoulutely delightful as the mail order bride,and Jack Soo and Nancy Kwan as the comic/romantic team are super.... My favorite number is "Don't marry me",but "You are beautiful"...well... I am sorry I dont remember the names of all the super supporting cast, other than Patrick Adiarte and the younger son.(And didnt he play the Prince in "the king and I". A real gem of a musical that somehow gets lost in the shuffle... Definitly in my top ten list!

(2012-05-06 04:11)

Fond Memories

I purchased this DVD because I remember seeing Flower Drum Song on television when I was growing up. As an Asian woman, it was one of the few things that I saw in the media that protrayed Asians (both men and women) as actually people rather than stereotypes. Sure, the movie has some less than politically correct moments, but overall it was groundbreaking at the time. Plus, the songs are actually good! Warning: there is a danger that the songs will get stuck in your head!