TCM is scheduling movies this month around the theme of Asian Americans in classic Hollywood: [link]
The only movies I'd seen out of that list are Love Is a Many Splendored Thing (which does not really count as it has Jennifer Jones playing a Eurasian, le sigh) and Flower Drum Song, which I am a little leery about revisiting after all these years. Not that I remember much else other than "I Enjoy Being A Girl." Anyway, on a lark, I checked out The Crimson Kimono, a breezy 90 minute Sam Fuller thriller set in LA, featuring a love triangle involving a white girl who is a key witness to a murder and a pair of detective partners, one of whom is portrayed by the Japanese American actor James Shigeta. And it is honestly a little shocking how progressive the movie is for the times (1959). Not to mention how James Shigeta is HOT LIKE BURNING, with that sensitive face and the lovely voice, plus charisma to burn. He plays a supporting character in Flower Drum Song, but this is a much better showcase for him. It's available on Watch TCM app for streaming until tomorrow if you have cable.
On Criterion Channel, I finally got around to seeing the two Kelly Reichardt films I've been meaning to check out. Really loved Wendy and Lucy, and still trying to wrap my head around Meek's Cutoff, especially that ending. Michelle Williams is such an impressive actress. Who knew all those years ago when we met her as Jen Linley on Dawson's Creek?
Being Of An Age to have seen Gwen Verdon in her heyday years, I have a basis for comparison and was very impressed with Williams in Fosse/Verdon, the TV miniseries. Not an impersonation, but mannerisms, expression, voice, body language. She's definitely impressive.
ETA: Shigeta was one of my seekrit Hollywood boyfriends in my yout'. Everything you said about him, Vonnie. Yes.
A bit off topic, but I always had a soft spot for Jack Soo.
I once sat through "Thoroughly Modern Millie" (on the TV - would not pay to see it) just to see him. He didn't have any lines, but he was there.
Shigeta was so gorgeous in his youth.
I actually ended up DVR'ing Flower Drum Song off TCM last night and watched it later. YIKES. It has not aged well at all. Its gender politics are even worse than its racial issues, honestly. I mean, "I Enjoy Being A Girl" is still catchy as fuck, but the lyrics, oy vey. I'm just gonna enjoy the song independently of its context for giving us one of my favourite multifandom vids ever, by AbsoluteDestiny: [link]
There is A LOT of filler in the movie. Like, why is there a 5 minute dream ballet by a random side character?! And I'd forgotten that Shigeta's character was a lead, not supporting, mostly because he's such a nothing character -- he just lets stuff happen to himself! I mean, I still enjoyed looking at him because I have eyes, and oh yeah, he also sings the main love song ("You Are Beautiful") and his voice is super pretty. Still.
A bit off topic, but I always had a soft spot for Jack Soo.
On rewatch, my favourite number in the entire movie was "Don't Marry Me", which is Jack Soo's character (...someone just said "make him Nathan Detroit, except Asian, huh?) trying to convince the main love interest to dump him. Some fun physical comedy in the number between him and Miyoshi Umeki.
I don't remember Flower Drum Song - saw it years (and years) ago. My favorite version of "I Enjoy Being a Girl" was on the Muppet Show - the guest (Cheryl Ladd?) was talking to Miss Piggy and said that what she liked best was her "chops" ... and, as Miss Piggy curled her lip and was preparing to wreak havoc, she followed with "your karate chops". So they did a duet of the song, while beating up a hapless (unnamed and unanimated) muppet.
David Hwang (best known for M. Butterfly) was hired to completely rewrite the book for Flower Drum Song when it was revived on stage in 2002. They kept the songs but he reframed them and addressed the racist and sexist elements.
I'd be curious to see that version.
David Hwang (best known for M. Butterfly)
Best known in my house for
Soft Power,
which is the smartest work of political-themed theater I have ever seen anywhere. (The fever-dream of Hillary Clinton pole-dancing at a campaign rally inside a swanky glitter-encrusted McDonalds will stay with me forever.)
