Movie Night -- Flower Drum Song (1961)

Flower Drum Song is a 1961 Academy Award-nominated film adaptation of the 1958 Broadway musical play Flower Drum Song, written by the composer Richard Rodgers and the lyricist/librettist Oscar Hammerstein II. The film and stage play were based on the 1957 novel of the same name by the Chinese American author C.Y. Lee.

This movie was unusual (for its time) in featuring nearly all Asian American cast member, including dancers, though two of the singing voices were not Asian ones. Starring in this movie were Nancy Kwan, James Shigeta, Benson Fong, James Hong, Reiko Sato and the original Broadway cast members Jack Soo, Miyoshi Umeki and Juanita Hall.

In 2008, Flower Drum Song was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".

In color. 133 min. run time. The movie is preceded by a multi-course Chinese dinner.

WHEN	Thursday, Aug. 27, 2009, 6:00 - 9:00PM - discussion follows film
WHERE	Fong Chong Restaurant, Upstairs Room 301 NW 4th Ave. Portland, OR 97209, Chinatown
COST	Dinner & Movie: $20 members; $25 general. Please register before Wednesday Aug. 26, 2009 12 noon.
REGISTER	Register & Pay On-line (click here)
PARKING	SmartPark on NW Davis, between NW Naito Parkway and NW 1st Ave.