How I wish the heavily altered Broadway revival had adhered more to the sweetness and family focus of the original production. The SUNDAY number is delightful - as are all the moments recorded here. Bless Ed Sullivan.
Ed Sullivan saved the Broadway "Camelot" since it hadn't found an audience and the box office was down. After Julie Andrews and Richard Burton performed "What Do the Simple Folk Do" in Ed Sullivan's show, the lines were around the corner the next day. The power of television
isn't it strange that some landmark Broadway shows were never taped or filmed for posterity, no Gypsy, Fair Lady, Camelot, King and I, Sound of Music, Oklahoma...
@@frankfulton697 I have seen Camelot, My Fair Lady and Sound of Music. Oklahoma and King and I, I would say Ed Sullivan wasn't on at that time. As for Gypsy, that is a tragedy.
@@robertcollins7025 didn't she earn an Academy Award for, the movie Sayonara ???? Wasn't she in,, " The Courtship of Eddie's Father" ??? Wonderful actress ! ☺️☺️☺️🎶🎶🎈🎵🎵🎵🎵💞💞💞💞🎈🎈🎈
I grew up with this music, and so many more songs and musicals and performers that today's generation have been so terribly deprived of. My heart breaks for those 40 years and younger who may grow old and die without ever knowing or experiencing the beauty of music and songs and performances that we older ones all knew...
What a memory! I loved the film as a child, and listened to the Broadway recording. How I thrilled when my dad brought home the original text of the musical from the library for me to read and sing the songs! What a memory!
This is one of my favorite scores.I played the original cast album over and over and still do.I had no idea that this was recorded for posterity .what a thrill to see Pat Sazuki actually sing this legendary number! Thankyou so much for posting and thankyou Mr Sullivan!
Pat Suzuki was amazing. Had heard her on the OBC album for years but never saw her perform Linda Low until seeing this. What a talent. Not for the movies, but certainly for Broadway. Nancy Kwan was gorgeous but had to be dubbed in the film.
isn't it amazing that Ed Sullivan clips are all that remain of some classic Broadway musicals, like Camelot? how did no one think to tape or film Oklahoma, Carousel, etc?
@@frankfulton697 Youre so right,now tell today's young people of today about this incredible entertainment from the past and see the response you get! It won't be nice and it's unforgivable Period!!!!!
@@frankfulton697 the thought was that if they were filmed while still running, no one would attend the Broadway shows. Unfortunately, not much footage was documented for posterity.
@@frankfulton697 Actually, R&H did film their shows -privately, not for a release of any kind. The filmed London production of South Pacific with Mary Martin snuck out of the archive vault years ago. We don't know what all is still waiting to be shared, but Flower Drum Song is the one I'd most like to see. Sadly, I don't think it'll happen as the "yellow face" makeup (non-Asian actors portraying Asians) doesn't fly in this century.
Pat Suzuki's performance is perfection. This is a song that can easily lend itself to too many motions - she keeps it limited and motions only where it's efffective. Her enthusiasm, her infectious excitement and charm - she makes the Nancy Kwan (voiced) performance in the film seem wan in comparison. What a talent! She wasn't beautiful enough for the film, but she owns this song! So glad the original Broadway cast was posted.
Yes, nice performer. Interesting that she said she didn't do the musical due to how the Japanese were being treated, even though 4 of the leads in the movie were of Japanese heritage. I think she said that due to them finding Nancy. The seamstress in the play had an amazing voice but was too replaced by a more attractive woman. Also that Kwan and Sato both were dancers and had their singing parts dubbed in the movie.
I've spent my life in the theatre...and used to sing this song.alot...esp for auditions.....Pat was sure cute but NANCY KWAN was gorgeous in the movie role.with the gorgeous JAMES SHIGATA.....a fun musical
I saw a production in London several years ago, put on only on Sundays because the performers were appearing at the time in other shows. The show was put on without special costumes, scenery or choreography, and with only piano accompaniment, and the actors read their parts from a printed book. This was the original text and the original versions of all the songs, in the original order, not switched around as in the movie. It was great. Nonetheless, I wish I had been old enough and fortunate enough to have seen the original version on Broadway.
Appreciate your video, Flower Drum SONG, As one of Japanese who living in CA, I love this video and the movie, I would like to ask to Young Japanese and Chinese watch them !!! Thanks Again and Arigatou Gozaimasu ! Flower Drum Song FOREVER !
I recall playing the great tunes from this show, in the late 1950's into the early 1960's. It was at a time when drum and bugle corps matured into playing full musical show scores on advanced multi-valved instruments. Our arranger, a fellow named Lee Wolf, brought fhe Captain of Castille's, "Conquest ", "Camelot", and "Flower Drum Song", among others, to the field of compettion.
What a gem this is to have the OBC all here performing their numbers. How great that Ed Sullivan brought such legendary Broadway shows to the public on his show. Love Juanita Hall as Madame Liang with Ed Kenney. This was recorded around the same time she recreated her Broadway role of Bloody Mary in the film of "South Pacific" during which they dubbed her singing voice with the London cast Blood Mary, which I think was a big mistake. It was good enough for Broadway, but not for Hollywood. At least in this clip they didn't make Larry Blyden wear the "oriental" eye makeup he needed to play Sammy Fong. Patrick Adiarte was an amazing dancer as you can see here in the "Sunday" number. So glad they cast him in the film version.
Muriel Smith, the London Bloody Mary, was also a huge hit in the role and was a well-loved singer/actress. Rather than choose between Juanita Hall and Muriel Smith, Rodgers and Hammerstein compromised. Juanita would appear on screen as Bloody Marry, and Muriel would provide the vocals for the musical numbers. If you want to hear Hall's vocals, she performs on the original Broadway cast album.
@@dmnemaine Unfortunately, having Muriel Smith's soprano dubbing Juanita Hall who was a low alto doesn't work very well. Here is a clever mix of Juanita's voice matched to her film appearance in "South Pacific". ruclips.net/video/ww7xsdfDvn0/видео.html
Yes its a pity he didn't have the original Broadway cast of 'South Pacific' on his show although his show called Toast of the Town then only began in 1948/9 although Rodgers & Hammerstein were guests on his first programme.
And a lot of effort was put into casting and literally scouting out almost every Asian performer he could find. Gave a few performers their start. Not every part was cast as they wished, but the effort was formidable. Meanwhile, Hollywood is casting Brando and Kathryn Hepburn as Asian characters, so ...
@@paxpaxart1513 At times also a little Chaplinesque combined with movements used by Kelly in AN AMERICAN IN PARIS.. Carol Haney choreographed several broadway musicals/ I think she was married to LARRY BLYDEN WHO SINGS THE LAST SONG.
It opened on monday, dec 1, 1958. this was broadcasted on Sunday Dec 14. i assume in those days Sunday was an off day on Broadway, now they have sunday performances at 2 or 3,pm
I love Larry Blyden's voice. 12 years later, he would have his big musical number cut out of "On a Clear Day You Can See Forever" with Barbra. But the recording of it still survives on promo 45s.
I think musical talent is still on Broadway today, especially now that pop music and whatever is left of rock and roll relies on auto tune. But you can't auto tune a live performance of Hamilton or Wicked or Rent, so I think Broadway is where the real performers have been for a while. If public schools are ever able to adjust their budgets and reintroduce music and chorus and real instruments into instruction, we might see the growth of real musical talent again.
I bought the OBC album probably 40 years ago and hoped against hope that I'd be able to actually see them in action. FDS in 16 minutes - pretty damn cool. I have to say, by and large, the movie cast is my personal favorite. Having said that, Myoshi is adorable and Pat S. is really cute; I can see why they cast Ed Kennedy; good looks and a voice to match. He absolutely towers over Myoshi. That's pretty funny!! Arrabella Hong should have been in the movie. What she did here was a show stopper. I'm a huge Larry Blyden fan but he looked so miscast and out of place in this show. And that's exactly what I thought listening to the record back in the '70s; unfortunately, this made it worse. All in all, what treat to watch this so many years after my first discovery on a 33 1/3 LP.
some have said that King and I was R&H last masterpiece, but not so. Not a great book, but words and mostly music of Flower Drum Song are very creative and tuneful!
What a wonderful score. This is a treasure. All Broadway musicals/plays should be record whether they are archived for historical purposes or sold to the public. Angela Lansbury said the only Broadway production people will know her for is 'Sweeny Todd, because it is the only show on video. There are a few snippets of other productions she did but what if we had all of Mame or Gypsy?
Miyoshi Umeki an under used talent. It is said she tried to dispose of her Academy Award but a friend rescued it from the garbage. As for Juanita Hall she had an African-American father and an Irish-American mother. Hall played Bloody Mary in South Pacific and won a Tony Award for her efforts.
The Oscar-winning supporting actress ("Sayonara") was named MIYOSHI UMEKI, not Umeki Miyoshi. And Juanita Hall, btw, was NOT Chinese, nor even Asian, but African American and got her start in the original production of "Porgy and Bess." Suzuki went on to later perform Hall's role (Mme. Liang) in a revival of "Flower Drum." One critic of the 1958--NOT 1985--production, dubbed it a "world of woozy song...."
The leas guy isn’t Asian either he’s White…but this was the 50s they didn’t really care much about that. And yeh Juanita also played Asian in South Pacific
No, they were promoting the Broadway show. The movie was 3 years later. Ed Sullivan was a huge supporter of Broadway shows and would often feature highlights on his program.
May be wrong, but there was only one astounding woman/actress in the courtship of eddie's father: Miyoshi Umeki! Here's a link that I posted dedicated to her: ruclips.net/video/3IRW9ZGFI28/видео.html
Ahh, Ed Kenney had such a lovely (local boy) voice. I had forgotten that Pat Suzuki was on the album. Although Nancy Kwan was beautiful, but the cute and effervescent charm of Suzuki should have been enough for Hollywood. Broadway had it right when they selected Arabella Hong as Helen Chiao. But, Larry Blyden or Jack Soo (Suzuki)? I vote for the crusty Soo.
I guess I need to watch this movie again--or maybe the stage show was slightly different from the movie? I don't remember a white guy (Larry Blyden) involved with the Pat Suzuki character. I thought the Pat Suzuki character was involved with the Jack Soo character--maybe they changed it for the movie (from a white guy to a Chinese guy) to make it more "acceptable" to greater America at the time, no interracial relations (some places still had miscegenation laws).
There were 4 characters: Pat Suzuki-the club singer in Jack Soo’s night club (in the movie), Miyushi Umeka-the mail order bride, and the son of Juanita. The story is basically the mismatching and eventual correct matching of the characters. Was that confusing enough?
Larry Blyden as the male lead is definitely not Asian, as other photos confirm. Imagine doing that today! His height, his strong nose, his eyes, his build, all show he's no more Asian than Juanita Hall. The other male lead is also not Asian. In 1958 the US was obviously not "diverse" enough to have real Asian actor-singers for Flower Drum Song on Broadway.
Who cares! You can't apply attitudes of political correctness of the 2010's to the 1950's. The show was delightful and this document on the Ed Sullivan Show with the original Broadway cast is priceless.
Actually at the time there were four other shows on Broadway featuring Asian characters and due to the lack of Asian actors especially in New York they had to cast non-Asians. Even when the film version was being shot, there was a shortage of Asian actors in Hollywood for other productions. I hope this gives some context of what was going on at the time. Despite having three leads being played by non-Asians, a smash Broadway musical at the time showcasing the talents of great Asian-American actors was huge especially when penned by a powerhouse team of Rodgers & Hammerstein.
Movie critic Leonard Maltin says it’s not fair to compare what was accepted years ago to today’s standards. and he is 100% correct. I watch Dragnet from 1968 and words like negro, orient, oriental are part of 1968 dialogue. To say any of this was wrong based on 1968 standards is cancel culture . You can’t cancel history. You learn from it.
How I wish the heavily altered Broadway revival had adhered more to the sweetness and family focus of the original production. The SUNDAY number is delightful - as are all the moments recorded here. Bless Ed Sullivan.
🎹 Glorious.
One of Rodgers & Hammerstein's
best scores. Thanks for posting.
Put on your thinking caps and name the iconic musical that came later.
Thank god for Ed Sullivan who presented these precious shows for us to keep forever
Absolutely! He brought everything from Broadways musicals, to rock bands, to the Moiseyev ballet for our enjoyment.
Ed Sullivan saved the Broadway "Camelot" since it hadn't found an audience and the box office was down. After Julie Andrews and Richard Burton performed "What Do the Simple Folk Do" in Ed Sullivan's show, the lines were around the corner the next day. The power of television
RIP Larry Blyden orig cast member who was tragically killed in a road accident in Morocco.
isn't it strange that some landmark Broadway shows were never taped or filmed for posterity, no Gypsy, Fair Lady, Camelot, King and I, Sound of Music, Oklahoma...
@@frankfulton697 I have seen Camelot, My Fair Lady and Sound of Music. Oklahoma and King and I, I would say Ed Sullivan wasn't on at that time. As for Gypsy, that is a tragedy.
What an incredible cast - how lucky we are to have these stunning performances recorded!
How could anyone not fall in love with Miyoshi Umeki?
Hey, Yoko Ono was married twice!
@@1kinut800 Uhhhhhh . . . Relevance? Any studier of the Beatles already knows that.
I love her. She oozed talent.
She was a phenomenal performer. Died fairly young.
@@robertcollins7025 didn't she earn an Academy Award for, the movie Sayonara ???? Wasn't she in,, " The Courtship of Eddie's Father" ??? Wonderful actress ! ☺️☺️☺️🎶🎶🎈🎵🎵🎵🎵💞💞💞💞🎈🎈🎈
What a find Miyoshi Umeki was! What natural charm. And lovely voice.
I grew up with this music, and so many more songs and musicals and performers that today's generation have been so terribly deprived of. My heart breaks for those 40 years and younger who may grow old and die without ever knowing or experiencing the beauty of music and songs and performances that we older ones all knew...
A wonderful memory. How I wish I were old enough to see the show on Broadway with this cast. I love the film version of my favorite musical.
What a memory! I loved the film as a child, and listened to the Broadway recording. How I thrilled when my dad brought home the original text of the musical from the library for me to read and sing the songs! What a memory!
These are indeed precious. They could have just gone into the air on stage. Ed Sullivan allowed them to survive.
This is breaking my heart. My mom used to play this record.
Ed Kenney had one of the most gorgeous voices ever on Broadway. But Pat Suzuki also knocks it out of the park--what an unbelievable presence!
An absolutely incredible experience that no one will ever see or hear again Ever !!!!!
agree a very underrated show from the masters
Loves those Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals delivered by such talented performers.
This is one of my favorite scores.I played the original cast album over and over and still do.I had no idea that this was recorded for posterity .what a thrill to see Pat Sazuki actually sing this legendary number! Thankyou so much for posting and thankyou Mr Sullivan!
mine too Rodgers & Hammerstein's greatest musical comedy as apposed to their musical plays The King and I etc
Pat Suzuki was amazing. Had heard her on the OBC album for years but never saw her perform Linda Low until seeing this. What a talent. Not for the movies, but certainly for Broadway. Nancy Kwan was gorgeous but had to be dubbed in the film.
Cost athletic blog Salisbury school Salisbury ct
He also had the original Broadway casts of 'Me and Juliet & 'Pipe Dream on his show too.
This video is a treasure. Thank you.
Juanita Hall, Pat Suzuki and Myoshi Umeki all on one stage. Does it get any better than that?
isn't it amazing that Ed Sullivan clips are all that remain of some classic Broadway musicals, like Camelot? how did no one think to tape or film Oklahoma, Carousel, etc?
@@frankfulton697 Youre so right,now tell today's young people of today about this incredible entertainment from the past and see the response you get! It won't be nice and it's unforgivable Period!!!!!
@@frankfulton697 the thought was that if they were filmed while still running, no one would attend the Broadway shows. Unfortunately, not much footage was documented for posterity.
@@frankfulton697 those shows came out in 1943 and 1945, years before the Sullivan show and network TV .
@@frankfulton697 Actually, R&H did film their shows -privately, not for a release of any kind. The filmed London production of South Pacific with Mary Martin snuck out of the archive vault years ago. We don't know what all is still waiting to be shared, but Flower Drum Song is the one I'd most like to see. Sadly, I don't think it'll happen as the "yellow face" makeup (non-Asian actors portraying Asians) doesn't fly in this century.
Love Look Away is the most heartbreaking song R&H ever composed.
Closest thing to an aria they composed
And Arribella Hong had the perfect voice for it... tears your heart out.
In the original novel Helen actually commits suicide after being rejected by Ta. I guess Rodgers and Hammerstein wanted her to have a happier ending.
Pat Suzuki's performance is perfection. This is a song that can easily lend itself to too many motions - she keeps it limited and motions only where it's efffective. Her enthusiasm, her infectious excitement and charm - she makes the Nancy Kwan (voiced) performance in the film seem wan in comparison. What a talent! She wasn't beautiful enough for the film, but she owns this song! So glad the original Broadway cast was posted.
Yes, nice performer. Interesting that she said she didn't do the musical due to how the Japanese were being treated, even though 4 of the leads in the movie were of Japanese heritage. I think she said that due to them finding Nancy. The seamstress in the play had an amazing voice but was too replaced by a more attractive woman. Also that Kwan and Sato both were dancers and had their singing parts dubbed in the movie.
Pat has a can't look away presence. Saw her sing a few years ago at 85 and she still commanded the stage.
Such a beautiful score. The ballads are unsurpassed.
I've spent my life in the theatre...and used to sing this song.alot...esp for auditions.....Pat was sure cute but NANCY KWAN was gorgeous in the movie role.with the gorgeous JAMES SHIGATA.....a fun musical
Pat Suzuki is great! She should have been cast in the movie...
She was pregnant during filming
Beautiful music. Blows rap music off the planet.
Love that choreography for "Sunday "!
I love this score. What a fabulous video. Thank you so much.
I saw a production in London several years ago, put on only on Sundays because the performers were appearing at the time in other shows. The show was put on without special costumes, scenery or choreography, and with only piano accompaniment, and the actors read their parts from a printed book. This was the original text and the original versions of all the songs, in the original order, not switched around as in the movie. It was great. Nonetheless, I wish I had been old enough and fortunate enough to have seen the original version on Broadway.
This was incredible, it's a shame they cut this off at the end too soon because they deserved a great standing ovation!!!!!
Appreciate your video, Flower Drum SONG, As one of Japanese who living in CA, I love this video and the movie, I would like to ask to Young Japanese and Chinese watch them !!! Thanks Again and Arigatou Gozaimasu ! Flower Drum Song FOREVER !
Arabella Hong great talent and superb singer
Thanks for posting this! Wonderful voices preserved for future generations. Thanks again! Hope you're staying safe through the pandemic. All the best!
One wonderful. Musical. Dancing and music were marvelous
I recall playing the great tunes from this show, in the late 1950's into the early 1960's. It was at a time when drum and bugle corps matured into playing full musical show scores on advanced multi-valved instruments. Our arranger, a fellow named Lee Wolf, brought fhe Captain of Castille's, "Conquest ", "Camelot", and "Flower Drum Song", among others, to the field of compettion.
I watched bc of the comments and they were spot on ! I loved this movie ! !
❤ love love Pat Suzuki!
Pat Suzuki had a heck of a voice
What a gem this is to have the OBC all here performing their numbers. How great that Ed Sullivan brought such legendary Broadway shows to the public on his show. Love Juanita Hall as Madame Liang with Ed Kenney. This was recorded around the same time she recreated her Broadway role of Bloody Mary in the film of "South Pacific" during which they dubbed her singing voice with the London cast Blood Mary, which I think was a big mistake. It was good enough for Broadway, but not for Hollywood. At least in this clip they didn't make Larry Blyden wear the "oriental" eye makeup he needed to play Sammy Fong. Patrick Adiarte was an amazing dancer as you can see here in the "Sunday" number. So glad they cast him in the film version.
Muriel Smith, the London Bloody Mary, was also a huge hit in the role and was a well-loved singer/actress. Rather than choose between Juanita Hall and Muriel Smith, Rodgers and Hammerstein compromised. Juanita would appear on screen as Bloody Marry, and Muriel would provide the vocals for the musical numbers. If you want to hear Hall's vocals, she performs on the original Broadway cast album.
@@dmnemaine Unfortunately, having Muriel Smith's soprano dubbing Juanita Hall who was a low alto doesn't work very well.
Here is a clever mix of Juanita's voice matched to her film appearance in "South Pacific". ruclips.net/video/ww7xsdfDvn0/видео.html
Yes its a pity he didn't have the original Broadway cast of 'South Pacific' on his show although his show called Toast of the Town then only began in 1948/9 although Rodgers & Hammerstein were guests on his first programme.
Patrick Adiarte, just WOW. In the movie, he just jumps off the screen. Could have done like two more hours of just him dancing and telling jokes.
Rest in Peace, Ed Kenney.
The dancing has the GENE KELLY stamp. Gene Kelly was the director of the show.
Kelly directed but Carole Haney was the choreographer.
And a lot of effort was put into casting and literally scouting out almost every Asian performer he could find. Gave a few performers their start. Not every part was cast as they wished, but the effort was formidable. Meanwhile, Hollywood is casting Brando and Kathryn Hepburn as Asian characters, so ...
@@paxpaxart1513 At times also a little Chaplinesque combined with movements used by Kelly in AN AMERICAN IN PARIS.. Carol Haney choreographed several broadway musicals/ I think she was married to LARRY BLYDEN WHO SINGS THE LAST SONG.
Love it
The date of this broadcast was Dec. 14, 1958 -not 1985. The show opened exactly two weeks earlier.
LieslJones59 typo 😓
It opened on monday, dec 1, 1958. this was broadcasted on Sunday Dec 14. i assume in those days Sunday was an off day on Broadway, now they have sunday performances at 2 or 3,pm
Sullivan was amazing in seeking out talent. The guy had a gift.
I love Larry Blyden's voice. 12 years later, he would have his big musical number cut out of "On a Clear Day You Can See Forever" with Barbra. But the recording of it still survives on promo 45s.
Pat Suzuki kills it.
Yes, I agree, but Nancy Kwan and her voice double own Linda Lowe.
In looks.....not in voice.
Boy, you sure needed to have a great voice and definite stage presence to be in a 50s Broadway show -
along with near-perfect attendance!
Don't for get talent.
I think musical talent is still on Broadway today, especially now that pop music and whatever is left of rock and roll relies on auto tune. But you can't auto tune a live performance of Hamilton or Wicked or Rent, so I think Broadway is where the real performers have been for a while. If public schools are ever able to adjust their budgets and reintroduce music and chorus and real instruments into instruction, we might see the growth of real musical talent again.
I bought the OBC album probably 40 years ago and hoped against hope that I'd be able to actually see them in action. FDS in 16 minutes - pretty damn cool. I have to say, by and large, the movie cast is my personal favorite. Having said that, Myoshi is adorable and Pat S. is really cute; I can see why they cast Ed Kennedy; good looks and a voice to match. He absolutely towers over Myoshi. That's pretty funny!! Arrabella Hong should have been in the movie. What she did here was a show stopper. I'm a huge Larry Blyden fan but he looked so miscast and out of place in this show. And that's exactly what I thought listening to the record back in the '70s; unfortunately, this made it worse. All in all, what treat to watch this so many years after my first discovery on a 33 1/3 LP.
🎹 Believe it or not, Pat Suzuki is still alive at age 93.
Ok I'm going to say it: I know Flower Drum Song has a flawed book, but it's my favorite R&H score.
some have said that King and I was R&H last masterpiece, but not so. Not a great book, but words and mostly music of Flower Drum Song are very creative and tuneful!
Damn pat, what a voice!
Miyoshi Umeki created fadeless history,「ARIGATO!」from Japan with love.
What a wonderful score. This is a treasure. All Broadway musicals/plays should be record whether they are archived for historical purposes or sold to the public. Angela Lansbury said the only Broadway production people will know her for is 'Sweeny Todd, because it is the only show on video. There are a few snippets of other productions she did but what if we had all of Mame or Gypsy?
Miyoshi Umeki an under used talent. It is said she tried to dispose of her Academy Award but a friend rescued it from the garbage. As for Juanita Hall she had an African-American father and an Irish-American mother. Hall played Bloody Mary in South Pacific and won a Tony Award for her efforts.
The Oscar-winning supporting actress ("Sayonara") was named MIYOSHI UMEKI, not Umeki Miyoshi. And Juanita Hall, btw, was NOT Chinese, nor even Asian, but African American and got her start in the original production of "Porgy and Bess." Suzuki went on to later perform Hall's role (Mme. Liang) in a revival of "Flower Drum." One critic of the 1958--NOT 1985--production, dubbed it a "world of woozy song...."
I thought the Japanese flipped first name and surname? So putting Umeki first is not necessarily wrong.
The leas guy isn’t Asian either he’s White…but this was the 50s they didn’t really care much about that. And yeh Juanita also played Asian in South Pacific
@@jodeanesullens6588 yes,you are correct.her japanese name is 梅木 美代志. umeki miyoshi.her family name is umeki.
Why didn't pat Suzuki get the part of linda lo ?
She was pregnant.
Suzuki admits that she wasn't the best dancer, but I think she is the better singer and comedian.
Not pretty enough.Unlike today's audiences, 1961 audiences still wanted to see handsome men and pretty women on the big screen.
Wow. They were promoting the movie.
No, they were promoting the Broadway show. The movie was 3 years later.
Ed Sullivan was a huge supporter of Broadway shows and would often feature highlights on his program.
I think Pat Suzuki should have played Mae Li.
It's Eddie's father's housekeeper!
Mrs. Livingston I presume.
all rights to The Ed Sullivan Show go to Andrew Solt and SOFA Entertainment
0:00 the women look like the women from the women from the courtship of eddies father
Uhh...that's because the lead (Miyoshi Umeki) did indeed play in the Courtship of Eddies Father. She was Mrs. Livingston.
May be wrong, but there was only one astounding woman/actress in the courtship of eddie's father: Miyoshi Umeki! Here's a link that I posted dedicated to her: ruclips.net/video/3IRW9ZGFI28/видео.html
Ahh, Ed Kenney had such a lovely (local boy) voice. I had forgotten that Pat Suzuki was on the album. Although Nancy Kwan was beautiful, but the cute and effervescent charm of Suzuki should have been enough for Hollywood. Broadway had it right when they selected Arabella Hong as Helen Chiao. But, Larry Blyden or Jack Soo (Suzuki)? I vote for the crusty Soo.
Too bad they didn’t use Pat Suzuki for the voice of Nancy Kwan in the film……
Directed by Gene Kelly.
Blyden's character was NOT Ah Choo, though perhaps it should have been....
Wow. Who says that Juanita Hall and Ed Kenney are NOT Chinese?? THEY ARE . . . .NOT! LOL!!
Pat Suzuki and Miyo Umeki aren't Chinese either.
I guess I need to watch this movie again--or maybe the stage show was slightly different from the movie? I don't remember a white guy (Larry Blyden) involved with the Pat Suzuki character. I thought the Pat Suzuki character was involved with the Jack Soo character--maybe they changed it for the movie (from a white guy to a Chinese guy) to make it more "acceptable" to greater America at the time, no interracial relations (some places still had miscegenation laws).
Larry Blyden played Sammy Fong through the miracle of stage make-up.
Yeah the film cast Jack Soo who was a Pacific Islander from memory?
Didn’t Jack Soo take over from Larry Blyden in the original production?
@@steveliveshere Jack Soo was of Japanese ancestry, born Goro Suzuki. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Soo
There were 4 characters: Pat Suzuki-the club singer in Jack Soo’s night club (in the movie), Miyushi Umeka-the mail order bride, and the son of Juanita. The story is basically the mismatching and eventual correct matching of the characters.
Was that confusing enough?
Larry Blyden as the male lead is definitely not Asian, as other photos confirm. Imagine doing that today! His height, his strong nose, his eyes, his build, all show he's no more Asian than Juanita Hall. The other male lead is also not Asian. In 1958 the US was obviously not "diverse" enough to have real Asian actor-singers for Flower Drum Song on Broadway.
The other male lead is Ed Kenney, who was born and raised in Hawaii, and he is in fact (half) Asian, as his mother was Chinese-Hawaiian.
Who cares! You can't apply attitudes of political correctness of the 2010's to the 1950's. The show was delightful and this document on the Ed Sullivan Show with the original Broadway cast is priceless.
Actually at the time there were four other shows on Broadway featuring Asian characters and due to the lack of Asian actors especially in New York they had to cast non-Asians. Even when the film version was being shot, there was a shortage of Asian actors in Hollywood for other productions. I hope this gives some context of what was going on at the time. Despite having three leads being played by non-Asians, a smash Broadway musical at the time showcasing the talents of great Asian-American actors was huge especially when penned by a powerhouse team of Rodgers & Hammerstein.
Blyden was a last minute replacement. The guy originally cast didn’t work out. Blyden was married to Carol Haney.
Movie critic Leonard Maltin says it’s not fair to compare what was accepted years ago to today’s standards. and he is 100% correct. I watch Dragnet from 1968 and words like negro, orient, oriental are part of 1968 dialogue. To say any of this was wrong based on 1968 standards is cancel culture . You can’t cancel history. You learn from it.
Thank goodness for the film and Myoshi Umeki! This was awful. Henry Koster and Hermés Pan thank you.
Who did this terrible choreography?
Gene Kelly was director/choreographer.
Yes, THAT Gene Kelly.
While Kelly did direct, the show was choreographed by Carol Haney!
Thank goodness for Hermés Pan. The film choreography is marvelous.
@@hawby7mghThank goodness he left the Hello Dolly choreography to Michael Kidd, otherwise Kelly would have ruined it with his pretentiousness.