News on your favorite shows, specials & more!

Flower Drum Song on Video - 1961

Flower Drum Song Video
Buy Flower Drum Song on Amazon

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. (Source: Dana Van Nest for Amazon.com)

Available On:
Broadway on DVD Broadway on VHS

Starring:
Miyoshi Umeki - Mei Li

Nancy Kwan - Linda Low (singing voice by B.J. Baker)

James Shigeta - Wang Ta

Benson Fong - Wang Chi-Yang

Jack Soo - 'Sammy' Fong

Juanita Hall - Madame "Auntie" Liang

Reiko Sato - Helen Chao (singing voice by Marilyn Horne)

Patrick Adiarte - Wang San

Kam Tong - Dr. Li

Victor Sen Yung - Frankie Wing

Soo Yong - Madame Fong

James Hong - Headwaiter

Spencer Chan - Dr. Chou

Arthur Song - Dr. Fong

Weaver Levy - Policeman

Herman Rudin - Mugger

Cherylene Lee - one of Sam's Girlfriend

Virginia Ann Lee - one of Sam's Girlfriend

Jon Fong - Square dance caller

Virginia Grey - TV heroine

Robert Kino - Bank manager

Frank Kumagai - Tradesmen

Ching Wah Lee - Professor

Laurette Luez - Mexican girl & Beulah Quo

Ward Ramsey - Great white hunter

Paul Sorenson - TV sheriff

Beal Wong - Tailor

Studio: Universal Studios

Filmed: 1961 - Released: 1961

PURCHASE / MORE INFORMATION
Buy Flower Drum Song on Amazon Broadway on Netflix Broadway Video Listings Broadway on IMDB

Related Articles
Photos: Kristin Chenoweth and F. Murray Abraham Visit MAYBE HAPPY ENDING on Broadway
by Stephi Wild - November 04, 2024

Kristin Chenoweth and F. Murray Abraham recently attended MAYBE HAPPY ENDING on Broadway and met the cast following the performance. Check out photos from backstage here!

NYPL to Present CELEBRATING AAPI BROADWAY STORIES
by Chloe Rabinowitz - October 16, 2024

Explore the impact of Asian American and Pacific Islander artists on Broadway from 1951-1991 at the Library for the Performing Arts, featuring discussions, live performances, and archival footage.

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF Begins At Palo Alto Players In November
by A.A. Cristi - October 08, 2024

Experience this beloved musical again, or for the first time! Palo Alto Players continues its 94th season by bringing the family classic FIDDLER ON THE ROOF to the Lucie Stern Theater.

Photos: Darren Criss and Helen J Shen in Rehearsal For MAYBE HAPPY ENDING
by Stephi Wild - October 07, 2024

All new photos have been released from rehearsal for Maybe Happy Ending, the new musical starring Darren Criss and Helen J Shen. Check out the photos here!

Meg Flather Continues The Brick Room Tour at Don't Tell Mama with RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN TODAY
by Blair Ingenthron - September 01, 2024

Rodgers & Hammerstein Today, starring Meg Flather, directed by Lennie Watts, and musically directed by Tracy Star,k will run September 22nd at 4 pm at Don't Tell Mama, NYC.

Finale, Software That Typeset The Music of Broadway For Decades, Shuts Down
by Joshua Wright - August 26, 2024

MakeMusic (formerly known as Coda Music Technologies) announced that effective immediately the music notation program known as Finale would shut down operations. The company will begin selling Dorico, a product made by Steinberg, a subsidiary of Yamaha - who also make a popular music making software called Cubase.

Telly Leung to Present BACK TO BIRDLAND in July
by Chloe Rabinowitz - June 18, 2024

Telly Leung will return to Birdland with his new show 'Back to Birdland.' Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.

Works & Process to Present SPILL THE TEA WITH GEORGE LEE Featuring a Discussion, Archival Material & More
by Chloe Rabinowitz - January 22, 2024

Works & Process presents 'Spill the Tea with George Lee,' a special event highlighting the making of Jennifer Lin's documentary 'Ten Times Better.' Free reservations encouraged.

Progress Lab To Host DIM SUM DIARIES: SECOND HELPING Industry Reading
by A.A. Cristi - January 12, 2024

An industry read of DIM SUM DIARIES: SECOND HELPING is set for January 28th, 2024 in Vancouver, BC. Get a sneak peek of this anthology play inspired by Mark Leiren-Young's DIM SUM DIARIES before the week-long workshop presentation in March.

Lynne Taylor-Corbett, Karin Baker, and More Join Dancers Over 40's Legacy Awards
by Stephi Wild - November 27, 2023

The 15th Annual Dancers Over 40 Legacy Awards and holiday dinner will honor DO40 members Joe Ahumada, Jill Cook, Gene Foote, Jean Preece and Joanna Rush on Monday, December 4th, 2023, 6-9pm at Lips Restaurant, 227 East 56th Street, NYC.

Broadway Jukebox: Get Cookin' with 50 Showtunes for a Broadway Thanksgiving
by Team BWW - November 23, 2023

Enjoy songs from musicals like: Oliver!, Waitress, Shucked, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, On the Town, Shrek, Something Rotten!, The Drowsy Chaperone, Little Shop of Horrors, She Loves Me, Beauty and the Beast, Sweeney Todd, Flower Drum Song, In the Heights, and so many more!

Daniel Dae Kim, Ashley Park, and Aaron Tveit Join MY FAVORITE THINGS: THE RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN 80TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT
by Stephi Wild - November 09, 2023

Daniel Dae Kim, Ashley Park, and Aaron Tveit will also headline the previously announced My Favorite Things: The Rodgers & Hammerstein 80th Anniversary Concert.

The 15th Annual Dancers Over 40 Legacy Awards Set For December
by Stephi Wild - October 18, 2023

The 15th Annual Dancers Over 40 Legacy Awards and holiday dinner will honor DO40 members Joe Ahumda, Jill Cook, Gene Foote, Jean Preece and Joanna Rush on Monday, December 4th, 2023, 6-9pm at Lips Restaurant.

Broadway Veteran Joseph Foronda Passes Away at 69
by Nicole Rosky - September 13, 2023

BroadwayWorld is saddened to report the passing of Broadway veteran Joseph Foronda, who died on September 1, 2023. He was 69 years old.

Christopher Gattelli Will Bring Star-Studded Rodgers and Hammerstein Concert to Theatre Royal Drury Lane
by Stephi Wild - September 12, 2023

My Favorite Things: The Rodgers & Hammerstein 80th Anniversary Concert comes to Theatre Royal Drury Lane in December. Find out how to get tickets here!

Ensemble Theatre Company to Present PLAY IT FORWARD Benefit Concert Supporting Education
by Blair Ingenthron - July 22, 2023

Ensemble Theatre Company (ETC), Santa Barbara's esteemed resident theatre company, is has announced 'Play It Forward,' a benefit concert featuring current and former ETC students alongside six renowned Broadway stars.

Lea Salonga to Perform at the Winspear Opera House This Week
by Chloe Rabinowitz - June 14, 2023

Lea Salonga will grace the stage of the AT&T Performing Arts Center’s Winspear Opera House on June 17. 2023 at 8:00pm.

Video: Gregg Barnes Celebrates Tony Win for 'Best Costume Design of a Musical'
by Richard Ridge - June 11, 2023

Earlier tonight at the 76th Annual Tony Awards, Gregg Barnes took home a Tony Award for 'Best Costume Design of a Musical' for his outstanding work on Some Like It Hot (currently running at the Shubert Theatre). After leaving the stage at the United Palace, Gregg checked it with BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge to share his initial reaction!

Broadway Musical Coordinator Howard Joines Has Passed Away
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 15, 2023

Broadway Musical Coordinator Howard Joines has passed away. 

Don Sebesky, Broadway Orchestrator of PARADE and More, Has Passed Away
by Blair Ingenthron - April 29, 2023

His Broadway theater credits include Porgy and Bess (London production by Trevor Nunn), Sinatra At The Palladium, Sweet Charity, Kiss Me Kate (2000 Tony Award), Bells Are Ringing, Flower Drum Song, Parade, The Life, Cyrano, The Goodbye Girl, Will Rogers Follies, and Sinatra At Radio City. 

Pan Asian Repertory Theatre to Conclude 46th Season With YELLOW FEVER Reading & New Play Festival
by Chloe Rabinowitz - April 12, 2023

To commemorate Asian Heritage Month in May, Pan Asian Repertory Theatre will wrap up its 46th milestone season with two noteworthy events.

Broadway Jukebox: 40 Showtunes for a Broadway Thanksgiving!
by Team BWW - November 24, 2022

Enjoy songs from musicals like: Oliver!, Waitress, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, On the Town, Shrek, Something Rotten!, The Drowsy Chaperone, Little Shop of Horrors, She Loves Me, Beauty and the Beast, Sweeney Todd, Flower Drum Song, In the Heights, and so many more!

Performance Now's A GRAND NIGHT FOR SINGING Opens at Lakewood Cultural Center
by Blair Ingenthron - September 11, 2022

Performance Now Theatre Company will present A Grand Night for Singing September 9-25 at the Lakewood Cultural Center. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m.

Pinch 'N' Ouch Theatre Extends TICK, TICK...BOOM!
by Stephi Wild - May 16, 2022

After a successful 8-week run with nearly all sold-out performances, Pinch 'N' Ouch Theatre will extend Jonathan Larson's autobiographical musical Tick, Tick… Boom! on May 28 – 30, 2022.

Chatting with Veteran Broadway Actor Telly Leung
by Jared Fessler - April 01, 2022

Broadway veteran Telly Leung has co-produced a documentary with Aaron Albano, another Broadway veteran and active member of the AAPI Broadway community. It is called ENSEMBLE and it is currently available via Broadway on Demand.

San Francisco Symphony Celebrates the Lunar New Year Next Month
by Stephi Wild - January 25, 2022

Celebrate Lunar New Year: Year of the Tiger with the San Francisco Symphony at this vibrant event that draws upon Asian traditions, past and present. Conductor Yue Bao makes her debut leading the Orchestra in The Butterfly Lovers Concerto and works by Huan-zhi Li, Tan Dun, Texu Kim, Tzyen Hsiao, and Liu Yuan, as well as traditional folk music.

BWW Review: A GRAND NIGHT FOR SINGING at The Little Firehouse Theater
by Lianna Albrizio - December 19, 2021

Eight talented singers a part of the Bergen County Players staged Rodgers and Hammerstein's Tony Award-nominated musical revue at the Little Firehouse Theater in Oradell in a delighted audience.

Back... | Browse CDs/Books/DVDs

Videos


TICKET CENTRAL

Recommended For You