Flower Drum Song Screening, Q&A with Nancy Kwan

Monterey Park Bruggemeyer Library July 26, 2014
Introduction and Q&A by Foster Hirsch with Nancy Kwan

[@MVHS85]

She is a lady, a diva and a living treasure!

[@Elainerulesutube]

A very underrated movie.

[@larciabella]

James Shigeta passed away soon after this interview 2014.Actually two days after this interview.Nancy is the sole survivor.

[@colonialradio1]

Patrick Adiarte is still alive (Wang San)

[@9999couchpotato]

Thanks so much, Nick, for posting this fascinating interview with Nancy Kwan! It really opened my eyes to the history behind "Flower Drum Song" and the challenges faced by Asian actors back in the 60's. It sure was a different world back then. I remember it well.

[@KathleenClower]

Nancy Kwan such a legend and still so beautiful.

[@thomasdelvin3683]

its the pearl cream.. works every time

[@kevins.butler3402]

Even today at age 80..Ms.Kwan is still a beautiful person.

[@magnatarbeing8749]

I have always had a crush on Nancy Kwan. What a gorgeous woman.

[@sharioverend1618]

We saw one another in Westwood, next to UCLA. You were seated at a restaurant table and I walking by. I remember when our eyes met -- I was starstruck! Which rarely happened to me. Thank you, darling Miss Kwan.

[@davidchicago2400]

I recall listening to the cast album of Flower Drum Song in my college library private booth over and over.

[@pbamse]

Check it out. Foster Hirsh mentioned there was only one surviving cast member of the movie beside Nancy Kwan, James Shigeta. This talented hawaiian actor died on July 28, 2014, just two days after this meeting.

[@mylesgarcia4625]

Patrick Adiarte is still around.

[@Bigbadwhitecracker]

Oh no. I didn't realize Shegita had passed.

[@cindyyee2494]

There must be an error because we went to Mr. Shigeta's service prior to this screening. It was a lovely service at his beautiful church on Wilshire & Commonwealth. His ashes were later scattered in Hawaii.

[@janeiwasduncan8463]

@@Bigbadwhitecracker I didn't know either. That made me dad. He appeared in an episode of Perry Mason. Also in the movie " Bridge to the Sun". a story of the love story of a Southern lady and a Japanese man before W W II , during the war, and post war.. James was so good looking and had an unforgettable voice that I recognized in Disney's Moena . He will be missed.

[@petemichael6883]

I fell in love with Nancy Kwan when I saw The World of Suzy Wong and from then on I could not see enough of her. I was introduced to Flower Drum with the Broadway cast recording (Columbia Record Club). Living in a small town in Idaho I had never seen a musical on stage and I thought the ultimate was to be made into a movie. I could then see it. Loved the movie and thrilled that I could once again see the beautiful Nancy Kwan..

[@martel732]

I just love Nancy Kwan. What a great actress!

[@EpiscoPiper]

What a lovely conversation and insights into the making of the film. Thank you for posting this!

[@jeff6660]

Who could help but fall in love with both Miyoshi Umeki and Nancy Kwan. Sorry but I have to dry my eyes now.

[@MrStewbee]

Sexiest scene in movie history "I Enjoy Being A Girl" Nancy in that 3 way mirror. Simply gorgeous.

[@rebeccaphlly7916]

Movie Star Nancy Kwan, older, still beautiful .

[@margaretkearsey6603]

I just saw "The Crimson Kimona" on TCM yesterday, 5/17/20. That film was way before its time as well. James got the girl- Caucasian. He was a LA cop and was in a love triangle with his partner-another Caucasian. James Shigeta died a few years ago. He was so handsome. RIP

[@Renshen1957]

The some of the first Asian stars of Hollywood were Ana May Wong (born in Los, Angeles), and Sessue Hayakawa (born in Japan) both who starred in films during the silent era.

[@JamesBond-ml3zp]

The Filipinos were probably the First to come to The USA as Farmer's in Hawaii, then the Chinese, Japanese, and Koreans. This Country is Great because of the Melting pot of wonderful people from all over the world. We welcome everyone who's here to help make this a even Greater place to live. Thank you and keep. Fighting for Freedom and your right to live in peace.

[@Historian212]

@@JamesBond-ml3zp Hawaii wasn't yet a state when Filipino workers started to migrate there in the very early 20th century. Hawaii became a state in 1959. So those early workers were not in the USA. Decades prior to that, Chinese immigrants had already come to the west coast of the U.S., partly to take part in the California Gold Rush. They also made up the bulk of the workers who built the transcontinental railroad (from the western end). The history of Asians in this country is an important and complex one that should be more widely taught. Beginning with the Chinese, Asians faced terrible racism here. Google "Chinese exclusion act" to learn about how American citizenship was defined in such a way as to exclude Asians from qualifying. Chinese immigrants and their descendants were shunned, lynched, and otherwise discriminated against. Japanese and Korean immigrants were eventually grouped with the Chinese and targeted as well. It should also be remembered that there were a few immigrants from India in the U.S. early in the 19th century; however, they didn't yet constitute a large immigrant group.

[@RaymondHng]

@@Historian212 Hawaii was a kingdom in 1795-1893. It then became the Provisional Government of Hawaii 1893-1894. Then the Republic of Hawaii 1894-1898. On August 12, 1898, it became annexed by the United States as an organized incorporated territory of the United States. The Territory of Hawaii was formally established as part of the U.S. on June 14, 1900. So any workers in the Territory of Hawaii after that date are, in fact, in the United States of America even though it was not a state until 1959.

[@bubhub64]

I live in Monterey Park! How in the heck did I miss or not here about this interview at my local library with one of the most beautiful, talented and legendary Hollywood movie stars ever! Darn it!!

[@Bigbadwhitecracker]

This library can't afford two microphones? In any event, I've been a fan of Nancy and FDS for nearly 40 years. I love what the stand in lady said. So true. Great QA.

[@dongji5982]

I know! So awkward passing microphones back and forth.

[@margaretkearsey6603]

This will probably never happen again. This comment was written in the midst of the COVID19 pandemic. Everyone is so paranoid.

[@nonenoneonenonenone]

@@dongji5982 She should have brought her own, her own spotlight, make-up man, etc., like a big movie star.

[@RaymondHng]

Multiple microphones also require a mixing board and someone with the knowledge to use it properly.

[@listen2music811]

Why do you have to use that disgusting You tube Name? Trying to deliberately offend folks" in this day and age . You just seem IGNORANT!

[@winglow7615]

C.Y. Lee, the writer of Flower Drum Song, went to work for a newspaper in Chinatown shortly after I left there in 1950. Jack Soo, who everybody thought was Chinese, was actually a Japanese. He changed his name to work in a Chinese night club called the Forbidden City. Good to see Nancy Kwan here, a nice woman.

[@Historian212]

Oh, that's interesting about Jack Soo! Also interesting that he portrayed Japanese-American detective Yamana in the TV show _Barney Miller_, in the 70s-80s. I bet most of us remarked on how a Chinese actor was playing a Japanese character. Ironic.

[@maestroclassico5801]

​@@Historian212He died during the run of Barney Miller. I was a kid but still remember being sad.

[@robertfreeman4950]

I had such a crush on Nancy when I was growing up. She is still such a beautiful lady for sure. I own the video and watch the movie occasionally so nice to have it available. Thanks for posting the video I really enjoyed the content. Lived in Japan for a few years so I have had some exposure to the Asian culture and have to say I have a great appreciation for the culture and so enjoyed my time in Japan. Thanks again for the video. Go watch the movie again.

[@Historian212]

Since you lived there you must be aware that there's not just one Asian culture, but a diversity of Asian cultures.

[@dongji5982]

I miss Jack Soo (RIP). He was soo cool! (Like an Asian Dean Martin)

[@Historian212]

He was great in the 1970s-80s TV show "Barney Miller."

[@kshinokevin]

"Barney Miller" a 1970's sitcom = Detective (Nick) Yemana

[@chgoboy69]

Jack Soo was so great as Sammy Fong. He played the MC on Broadway.

[@felicisleo6129]

Great Interview!! Great questions and insightful answers. How Nancy Kwan can stay so beautiful and elegant after all these years is beyond amazing and you would never feel she is a diva living in the pass. I bet you can put her in a modern movie in a leading role today and she would more than hold her own. She is truly a living legend and we don't get that many left anymore. I was only able to see bit and pieces of the movie, wish I can see the full movie.

[@cactusbound]

My reason for my first and only visit to San Francisco was because of Flower Drum Song with Nancy Kwan. I dreamt of dancing down Grant Avenue. When I got there I was so sorely disappointed. I found it very dirty and not at all like what I had pictured.

[@kerrlockhart]

That movie has the most amazing extras -- because they're not from the Hollywood union. They look completely engaged, excited, real and human. It helps the believability of the film.

[@carlytonini8517]

Flower Drum Song and particularly Nancy Kwan’s role portrayed a modern independent young woman in 1962 in a very important way for me. That character was the living embodiment of the original Barbie doll that had instantly stolen my heart on sight in 1959. Her song “I Enjoy Being A Girl” became a mantra for me as a young woman. It really helped me embrace my power as a lovely girl. I found this interview on KZbin after watching that song with gorgeous Nancy Kwan today because even 60 years later I still need her delightful smile. So wonderful to see her looking fabulous in this interview and telling great stories. Thank you thank you thank you.

[@annaritaranalli1791]

She looks still gorgeous and elegant and she is a brave lady too

[@normlor8109]

I have been in love with this incredible lady ever since I saw this great film and years before our family were on "Columbia record" list and this is one soundtrack we received and being a musician would have loved to be in the stage performance and if I could find this dvd I'd buy it in a second

[@Stephanie-hv1vn]

I loved her in The World of Suzie Wong! Love her!

[@giordanotirelli6028]

Happy birthday nancy for your 85 years from italian boy live in rome

[@ciprianogonzalez7254]

One of my favorite movies due to the performances of Nancy Quan, Miyoshi Umeki, Jack Soo, James Shigeta, etc. A little trivia: Actress Juanita Hall who played Madame Liang was biracial. Her father was African-American & her mother was Irish. Such a virtual actress!

[@maestroclassico5801]

I was curious. Juanita gained a lot of fame playing Bloody Mary on stage and screen in South Pacific. However , for the film her singing was dubbed. They made it up to her by casting her in their very next show Madame Liang in Flower Drum Song which she also did on stage and screen....this time NOT dubbed. She rocked.

[@ciprianogonzalez7254]

@@maestroclassico5801 Yes, she rocked! Love her singing “Chop Suey and her added jig!” So cute!

[@maestroclassico5801]

@@ciprianogonzalez7254 Juanita and Miyoshi were the only members of the Broadway Cast to revive their roles for the movie. (Jack Soo was in it but played the Emcee)They definitely changed Linda for the movie. In the Broadway version, they made it a joke out of how Linda wasn't much of a dancer, while in the movie, Nancy could move like nobody's business. The gal who played Linda from the Broadway Cast could belt those songs, but the gal who dubbed for Nancy....sounded like her...maybe a bit less "belty" (lower key?)....I really thought she did her own singing for years.

[@Eurafrican]

I just watched FLOWER DRUM SONG for the first time. It's fun hearing Nancy Kwan's memories. She is still a very elegant lady, but was so beautiful & glamourous as Linda Low. It's good that she didn't face much prejudice as a mixed race person. Thanks for uploading this nice interview :)

[@listen2music811]

loved that movie! Nancy Qwan was just beautiful, the only other Asian woman star who comes close is France NGUYEN. I

[@trailblazer3454]

I always thought the two of them could be sisters. Both so similar in looks, personality and really beautiful!

[@fifthavenue8505]

So pretty -still!!!! LOVE YOU!!!! A FAN!!!!!

[@timd4688]

The opening music is so touching.

[@MileyonDisney]

I L-O-V-E Nancy Kwan!

[@larciabella]

Nancy was great in Suzie Wong!

[@devydu]

All Asian cast in musical movie Flower Drum Song made in 1961, then many decades later we see all Asian cast again in Joy Luck Club, Crazy Rich Asians, Shang-Chi and 2023’s Oscar award winning Everything Everywhere All At Once! 94-year old James Hong, who played head waiter “Jimmy” of Celestial Garden in Flower Drum Song, now receiving so much attention & love as Gong-Gong in EEAAO, finally received his star on Hollywood Walk of Fame last March 2022. He gave amazing speech at 2023 SAG Awards, talking about history of Asian actors in Hollywood film industry, who used white actors pretending to be Asian. At end of his amazing speech, with cast of EEAAO behind him, James shouts “Look at us now!” Few weeks later, Oscar awards were presented to Michelle Yeoh for Best Actress, Ke Huy Quan for Best Supporting Actor, Daniel Quan for Best Director, Stephanie Hsu nominated for Best Supporting Actress, Jamie Lee (is she not Asian too?) for Best Supporting Actress, Daniel Quan for Best Director and EEAAO for Best Picture! Thank you, Nancy Kwan, James Shigeta, Jack Soo, Myoshi Umeki, Raiko Sato, Benson Fong and James Hong for paving the way by portraying real Asians in this lovely funny rom-com musical! 🎵🐉🍜⛩🎭🎞🥢🎤❤

[@SimonHumphreys-mh4vs]

Juanita Hall wasn't Asian American. Her part was supposed to be played by Anna May Wong died a month before filming began. Would have been a great comeback for Anna. ⭐️👑

[@elizabethgalligan1805]

She is truly Beautiful 😍

[@larciabella]

Patrick was AMAZING!!!!

[@maralisil]

James Hong still lives, as of 4/16/2021! He played a waiter (again!)

[@RaymondHng]

He is finally set to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his contributions to the American film and television industries. (No, I'm not related to him.)

[@ButchCassidyAndSundanceKid]

What a gracious lady !!! :-)

[@Dtzeo503]

Welp Fresh Off The Boat and Dr.Ken are on tv. We making it now.

[@yourhungrycoyote]

love you/\and flower drum song

[@giordanotirelli6028]

Happy birthday nancy from italian boy live in rome

[@georgejetson3702]

Thank you, Nancy!

[@dye3187]

she is soooooooooo cute and elegant

[@debraahumphrey5155]

She was in a movie where she was a doctor. An Asian woman playing a doctor in an all white or black I don’t know what they were in that movie and that was wonderful because she was a smart but kind doctor.

[@leighwinson9859]

she was in courtship of Eddie's father... oh my God he couldn't afford to get another microphone

[@devydu]

Miyoshi Umeki, who played Mei Li, was Mrs. Livingston in Courtship of Eddie's Father.

[@BobbyCalloway]

Hey guys I'm working on a video essay on the legacy of Flower Drum Song, and I was hoping I could use a few snippets of what Nancy says here if that's okay?

[@laurejia]

Legend ❤

[@larciabella]

Cliche's are about truth so TRUTH BE TOLD.Nothing wrong 'bout cliche's.

[@stuzo666]

4me, the most beautiful woman, ever, I wish I could meet her for 5 minutes, I would be speechless xx

[@Triton1051]

...Nancy is beautiful... _this just in! trees have leaves_ obvious statement is obvious

[@normanbraslow7902]

Kwan is pretty now, and certainly was beautiful in the movie, no question. But, no disrespect to Ms Kwan, I favored Umeki Miyoshi.

[@Ultradude604]

Kristin Kreuk is her doppelganger when she was younger.

[@bostonblackie9503]

So talented, unfortunately never got the amount of work she should have. She says her mother is English but I believe she means British, actually a Scot. Her father was Chinese but being born in Hong Kong he would be British.

[@Botafogoplayground]

Lovely!

[@eslady1598]

🌹🌹🌹😊👍🌟

[@larciabella]

Jack Soo sings !!!!Who knew?

[@devydu]

"Don't Marry Me!"

[@johnpickford4222]

@larciabella: He was in the Broadway cast and be heard on the cast album. In the original cast he played the Master of Ceremonies and sang “Gliding Through My Memories.”

[@larciabella]

Was the singing voice in this movie Marnie Nixon?

[@Historian212]

No.

[@RaymondHng]

The singing voice of the character Linda Low (portrayed by Nancy Kwan) was dubbed by B.J. Baker. The torch song "Love, Look Away" sung by Helen Chao (portrayed by Reiko Sato) was dubbed in by the American opera singer Marilyn Horne. Dr. Han Li (portrayed by Kam Tong) is dubbed by John Dodson.

[@jomon723]

No Talk 🚢

[@bodokannacher8719]

Die Welt der Suzie Wong (1960) Super Film

[@alancwwong]

I wanna find this movie but I can't find it in HK

[@lindamcdonald2962]

Alan W I have the video here at home, should I upload it? Will they make me take it down? I'd be happy to do so.

[@Ma24rina]

Linda McDonald Please do that would be wonderful!

[@ChiHatcher]

Oh please do!! i got a virus trying to watch another one. Ive never seen it.

[@mastersadvocate]

Nancy Kwan is very pretty, but she doesn't look very Chinese. Maybe she is only part Chinese? I saw Flower Drum Song, and loved her singing in that! ~Janet in Canada

[@devydu]

In this interview, Nancy says her father is Chinese and her mother is English. Nancy is a beautiful Eurasian who can speak Cantonese & English. She does not sing in this musical, as her songs were dubbed by a professional singer.

[@thomasdelvin3683]

the white guy says that this is all Asian cast,.,. juanita hall was Black. not mixed just black

[@Historian212]

Kwan says it too.

[@GypsyFairy85]

Actually Juanita Hall was biracial. Black father, white mother.

[@devydu]

Juanita Hall was great portraying Madame/Auntie Leong. I loved her role as she obtained her American citizenship and tells all about the American way and customs. She was also in another R&H musical film - South Pacific as polynesian Bloody Mary.

[@dcotai2902]

..mostly actors Japanese... Then.. but Asians persons.

[@nonenoneonenonenone]

Asian women were depicted, not only as servants but as Limehouse girls.

[@mywetblanket]

Shes still got that old hollywood midatlantic accent

[@dongji5982]

No, not mid-atlantic; it pidgin English. Nancy bi-racial -- mom white, father Chinese.

[@theart8039]

@@dongji5982 and put on/fake

[@Valerie-gn1rr]

I find that as she is getting older she is looking more european than asian..

[@dongji5982]

I thought opposite.

[@devydu]

@@dongji5982 I thought so too. In seeing Nancy in this interview, she looked more Chinese than Euroasian.

[@susanralph274]

'asian' is a ridiculous word he uses all the time .....even among 'chinese' speaking the main language was Cantonese, and they are genocideing that language

[@SuperlativeCG]

Without a doubt.