Chop Suey - Flower Drum Song

[xelanesqueHQ]

Juanita Hall replaced Anna May Wong for this role coz Anna was sick, I love Hall's performance, but it still wouldve been great to see her in this movie

[TheMochaMonster]

Ahhh sigh if only this still happened today and Chinese people were this fun :P

[necktieguy1]

Juanita Hall is a very talented woman--look at South Pacific and this movie. She could do anything. Thanks for this post.

[RetroTony1959]

I had a couple of drinks the other night with friends and we went to a Chinese restaurant in Hollywood. I think I was a lit drunk cause I started singing this and thezips looked at me kinda mean. I don't care . It's a great song. Chinese aren't fun like they use to be.

[adamzanzie]

This is so hilariously un-PC.

[texmatt]

I guess it really doesn't matter, and as much as I like this movie, it just bothers me that they couldn't come up with enough actual Chinese actors/actresses, dancers, to fill the roles. In addiiton to Juanita Hall (African American), almost all of the leads are of Japanese ancestry (James Shigeta, Jack Soo, Miyoshi Umeki, Reiko Sato), Patrick Adiarte is Filipino and Nancy Kwan was half English. And as was pointed out earlier, some of the minor characters are clearly not Asian at all.

[amastara11]

@YogaRani pass a asian????shes not asian?

[xelanesqueHQ]

@amastara11 Shes African American

[amastara11]

@xelanesqueHQ i can see it now . wow, must have been nice to have been able to pass for another race on screen back then so she didnt have to play a role that was as degrading as it would have been.

[YogaRani]

Heck, I'm sure she was glad for the work, and glad she was able to pass as Asian!

[cowboynyc]

Juanita Hall, God bless her, was probably like most people in show biz--thriled to death to have a job.

[cynmarie33]

What do you think of that fantastic Teen who dod the main dancing..? WOW!! Great talent!!!!!!!!

[laisydaisy30]

You can't lose with a Chinese square dance caller!

[UWB596]

I really don't like how they tried to sneak those extra syllables in...

[Jawstaysun]

1:54 Dreaming in my Maiden-form bra? (LOL)

[AQuietNight]

@Jawstaysun

Maidenform ran a series of those (In My Maidenform bra) ads through the late 50's-60's. They were a bit odd and funny even then.

[MotownConnoisseur30]

I wonder how Juanita Hall felt about being always casted as Asians characters even though she was Africa-American.

[elderaarondavis1]

@MotownConnoisseur30 why she is african american? she looks like asian

[MotownConnoisseur30]

@elderaarondavis1 She does look Asian, but she was African-American. She was born in New Jersey to African-American parents and studied at Julliard. I know she did some jazz/blues recordings in the 40's & 50's.

[elderaarondavis1]

@MotownConnoisseur30 was she mixed of half asian and half black? why did she have much lighter skin than average blacks?

[MotownConnoisseur30]

@elderaarondavis1 As far as I know, she didn't have any Asian ancestry, both of her parents were African-American. Some African-Americans have lighter skin than others.

[Michaell922]

@MotownConnoisseur30 that is really interesting to think about... thanks to you I went to look at her bio because I love any musical stuff so good point...

[AvalonMorley]

@MotownConnoisseur30 What's really crazy is that her singing was dubbed in the movie of SOUTH PACIFIC, even though she'd created (and, of course, sung) the role on Broadway. I don't think she's dubbed here, though I'm not certain. This song is one of my favorites on the original Broadway cast album (not the revisal from a few seasons ago); it has so much Hammerstein heart to it, some of which was lost in this version. However, they put so much else fun into it, I can't complain much.

[elainebmack]

@MotownConnoisseur30 She probably enjoyed herself in spite of the casting. She got to work, and didn't play a maid.

[librarybob1958]

Ms. Hall was repeating her Broadway role, but she was not the original choice for the film. The legendary Anna May Wong was, and signed for it, but died just before filming got underway. Can't imagine it being any better, though.

[SatchmoSings]

Juanita Hall is so stout, lardy and messed up from diabetes she can barely move; she even has to be helped up and down those small steps.

She died a few years later.

[Pinkpanda73]

this makes me feel proud to be asian! (i ddnt say chinese cuz im only part chinese)

[AQuietNight]

@Pinkpanda73

Universal took this movie seriously (if you go by the behind the camera talent they used).

[NoirFan01]

At the end of the number as Patrick Adiarte walks off he appears to grimace. Wonder if he injured himself during the take.

[atrac88]

@NoirFan01 I noticed the way he walks off at the end too. He was probably just exhausted. I can't imagine how many takes he had to do...and he really danced his ass off. Amazing!

[kly963]

i love it a lot...especially behind, d dance. when i'm 17, my music school where i'm learning b4 hv a stage play on it. it's fantastic!!!

[atrac88]

Dude @ 1:15 in brown suit is not asian. LOL

[wdyslvr]

Patrick Adiarte slays again.

[SalaireDeLaPeur]

Nothing describes the immigrant experience like this wonderful song. Although I moved to the US from Europe myself, I relate 100% with the surreal list (although mine was Private Benjamin and Diane Feinstein, not Bobby Darin and Dewey). And it's such a funny "feel" that I want to switch countries again before I die. But I can't decide (Peru or Malaysia). And I need to wait till the kids are done with college...

[atrac88]

Who is the HOT asian guy in the black suit dancing at the end?? That guy can MOVE!!!!

[atrac88]

@atrac88 Oh, it's Patrick Adiarte! Wow, best looking asian guy I've seen on film since Rain!

[Cupcakealex]

Just watch Partick Adiarte dance! A wonerful time and a really fine movie. Thanks for posting this tasty tid-bit. [Sorry couldn't help myself]

[kenkenasdfasdf]

i like that! chop suey~ chop suey~~~~~

[MahBoi22]

I absolutely adore Juanita Hall!!!!