Flower Drum Song 1961 N/R, 130 min. Genre: Musical / Comedy / Romance
Director: Henry Koster Cast: Nancy Kwan, James Shigeta, Miyoshi Umeki, Juanita Hall, Benson Fong, Jack Soo, James Hong, Victor Sen Yung, Kam Tong, Reiko Sato, Patrick Adiarte, Soo Yong, Ching Wah Lee, Irene Tsu, George Chakiris
This screen version of the Rogers and Hammerstein Broadway musical provides an entertaining look at San Francisco's Chinatown. Mail-order-bride Mei Li (Miyoshi Umeki) arrives in Chinatown prepared for her arranged marriage to nightclub owner Sammy Fong (Jack Soo). But, Sammy is not interested in the arranged marriage and is in love with Linda Low (Nancy Kwan) who happens to be romantically involved with Wang Ta (James Shigeta). Through comedy and music, lovers are sorted out, and, by story's end, Mei Li and Wang Ta have found romance. Songs include "I Enjoy Being a Girl," "Love Look Away," and "You Are Beautiful."
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Hell to Eternity 1960 N/R, 132 min. Genre: Drama
Director: Phil Karlson Cast: Jeffrey Hunter, David Janssen, Vic Damone, Patricia Owens, Richard Eyer, John Larch, Miiko Taka, Sessue Hayakawa, Tsuru Aoki, Bill Williams, Michi Kobi, George Shibata, Reiko Sato
This film is based on the real-life experiences of World War II hero Guy Gabaldon. The story begins when Guy (Richard Eyer) is being raised by a Japanese-American family and how, after the family is sent to a relocation camp following the attack on Pearl Harbor, Guy (now played by Jeffrey Hunter) enlists in the U.S. Marine Corps. After a fling with his buddies (David Janssen and Vic Damone), Guy is sent to Saipan. Because of his knowledge of Japanese customs and language, he is able to help save Saipan civilians hiding in caves and even persuades Gen. Matsui (Sessue Hayakawa) and his troops to surrender.
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Kismet 1955 N/R, 112 min. Genre: Adventure / Comedy / Musical / Fantasy / Romance
Director: Vincente Minnelli Cast: Howard Keel, Ann Blyth, Dolores Gray, Vic Damone, Monty Woolley, Sebastian Cabot, Jay C. Flippen, Jack Elam, Ted de Corsia, Ross Bagdasarian, Mike Mazurki, Reiko Sato, Julie Robinson, Jamie Farr
Howard Keel plays Baghdad beggar, The Poet, whose daughter Marsinah (Ann Blyth) falls in love with the young Caliph (Vic Damone) while the sexy wife (Dolores Gray) of the Wazir (Sebastian Cabot) has her eyes on The Poet. Fate steps in, and all live happily ever after. The songs "Stranger in Paradise" and "Baubles, Bangles, and Beads" are highlights of this Arabian Nights musical.
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Woman on the Run 1950 N/R, 77 min. Genre: Drama
Director: Norman Foster Cast: Ann Sheridan, Dennis O'Keefe, Robert Keith, Frank Jenks, Ross Elliott, John Qualen, J. Farrell MacDonald, Joan Shawlee, Steven Geray, Victor Sen Yung, Tom Dillon, Reiko Sato
Frank (Ross Elliott) witnesses a gang killing and goes into hiding leaving wife Eleanor (Ann Sheridan) home alone. In an attempt to find Frank, Eleanor contacts newspaperman Danny Leggett (Dennis O'Keefe). But, Danny might not be the best person for Eleanor to call; in fact, he is a hit man hired to kill Frank.
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| 1. Flower Drum Song (1961)
2. Hell to Eternity (1960)
3. Kismet (1955)
4. Woman on the Run (1950)
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