A bit off topic, but I always had a soft spot for Jack Soo.
Patron: That girl is a witch. Mal: Yeah, but she's our witch.
'Safe'
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Toddson - May 21, 2020 4:58:03 am PDT #2677 of 3424
Friends don't let friends read "Atlas Shrugged"
DXMachina - May 21, 2020 5:19:07 am PDT #2678 of 3424
You always do this. We get tipsy, and you take advantage of my love of the scientific method.
Jack Soo was hilarious.
Toddson - May 21, 2020 8:20:26 am PDT #2679 of 3424
Friends don't let friends read "Atlas Shrugged"
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.
P.M. Marc - May 21, 2020 8:36:38 am PDT #2680 of 3424
So come, my friends, be not afraid/We are so lightly here/It is in love that we are made; In love we disappear
Shigeta was so gorgeous in his youth.
Vonnie K - May 21, 2020 10:10:26 am PDT #2681 of 3424
Kiss me, my girl, before I'm sick.
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.
Toddson - May 21, 2020 10:13:48 am PDT #2682 of 3424
Friends don't let friends read "Atlas Shrugged"
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.
DavidS - May 21, 2020 5:54:30 pm PDT #2683 of 3424
"Look, son, if it's good enough for Shirley Bassey, it's good enough for you."
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.
Jessica - May 22, 2020 7:20:41 am PDT #2684 of 3424
If I want to become a cloud of bats, does each bat need a separate vaccination?
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.)
chrismg - May 22, 2020 10:35:59 am PDT #2685 of 3424
"...and then Legolas and the Hulk destroy the entire Greek army." - Penny Arcade
Toddson-
That's weird. I remember the "your karate chops" bit, but I would have sworn it was followed by them singing, "Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend". Maybe I'm merging two different sketches?
I remember my mother had the Flower Drum Song album when I was growing up, but I don't think she ever played it for me. She did have a tendency to break into "The Other Generation" when she felt put-upon, though.
Jesse - May 23, 2020 5:27:27 am PDT #2686 of 3424
Sometimes I trip on how happy we could be.
I just got a streaming recs newsletter from the NY Times that talks about Scott Pilgrim vs the World, and says:
And it's a "before they were stars" extravaganza, presciently filled with talented young actors (Brie Larson, Anna Kendrick, Aubrey Plaza, Mae Whitman, Alison Pill, and many more) who were just about to pop.
...that's a glaring omission, right??