Review of Flower Drum Song (1961) by Scott B — 03 Jan 2007

There's the really really big (read popular - and also good) R&H musicals ("Oklahoma!", "Carousel", "South Pacific", "The King & I" and "The Sound of Music") and then there's "Flower Drum Song".

I've never seen FDS on the stage but I've seen the others on stage and screen. And while R&H musicals are better on the stage, I can't offer that opinion on this one since I've only seen the movie (well part of it anyway).

I rented video (VHS tape) about 10 years ago and I couldn't make it beyond the first half hour.

R&H were noted for being ahead of their time when it came to issues like women's rights and racism, but somehow they forgot everything when it came to "Flower Drum Song".

If you're into 1950's Asian and Female stereotypes, then perhaps you might like this. I'm not and I was very disappointed. I stopped watching after about 30 minutes.

I'd been somewhat curious about the 2003 Broadway Revival (with a new book) that supposedly toned down the stereotypes, but still. The overall story just didn't do it for me.