Film fans in Los Angeles, check this out. This week, American Cinematheque presents an awesome opportunity to see screen legend Nancy Kwan in person at a double feature of the 1961 musical Flower Drum Song and To Whom It May Concern: Ka Shen's Journey, a new documentary about her life and career. It's happening Thursday, August 11 at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood. Here are some more details:
Double Feature!Nancy Kwan's career has always fascinated me, and of course, it's no secret that I've got a soft spot in my heart for Flower Drum Song in all its cheesy glory. So you get two movies and the fabulous Nancy Kwan in person. Plus, it says that other cast members from Flower Drum Song will be in attendance. Should be a fun evening. For more information about the screenings, go to the American Cinematheque website here, and the Facebook event page here.
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: KA SHEN'S JOURNEY / FLOWER DRUM SONG
Thu, August 11
7:30pm
Egyptian Theatre
6712 Hollywood Boulevard
Hollywood, CA 90028
Discussion between films with actress Nancy Kwan and director Brian Jamieson. Plus, cast reunion of FLOWER DRUM SONG!
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: KA SHEN'S JOURNEY
2011, Locomotive Distribution, 104 min, USA
Dir: Brian Jamieson
This documentary follows actress Nancy Kwan from her birth in Hong Kong to her big screen debut in 1960's THE WORLD OF SUZIE WONG and up to today. Through scenes from her movie and TV work and interviews with Kwan herself, the film offers both a portrait of a successful performer and insight into the changing roles of Asian women in American society in recent decades.
FLOWER DRUM SONG
1961, IDP Films, 133 min, USA
Dir: Henry Koster
In this adaptation of Rodgers & Hammerstein's Broadway musical, Mei Li (Miyoshi Umeki) arrives in San Francisco for an arranged marriage, but husband-to-be Sammy Fong (Jack Soo) is more interested in Linda Low (Nancy Kwan), a singer at his nightclub. While their parents feel bound by tradition, Mei Li and Sammy would prefer to follow their hearts - something that becomes easier to do when it turns out that another young man (James Shigeta) also is looking for a bride. Features choreography by Hermes Pan and such memorable songs as "I Enjoy Being a Girl."