What's the Difference between Flower Drum Song the Book and Flower Drum Song the Movie?
| In the Book |
In the Movie |
Mei Li
|
May Li
Portrayed by: Miyoshi Umeki
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Wang Chi-yang
|
Wang Chi-yang
Portrayed by: Benson Fong
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This Character does not appear.
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Sammy Fong
Portrayed by: Jack Soo
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Madam Tang (Master Wang's sister in-law)
|
Madame Liang
Portrayed by: Juanita Hall
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Helen Chao
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Helen Chao
Portrayed by: Reiko Sato
|
Wang San
|
Wang San
Portrayed by: Patrick Adiarte
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Mr. Li
|
Dr. Han Li
Portrayed by: Kam Tong
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Linda Tung
|
Linda Low
Portrayed by: Nancy Kwan
|
Flower Drum Song Book vs Movie
| In the Book |
In the Movie |
|
Wang Ta had previously, and impulsively, asked Linda to marry him prior to breaking up with her.
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Linda Low tells Wang Ta she might have to break up unless Wang Ta gets serious with her. She wants to get married, he is spooked by her rush to get married.
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Master Wang negotiates for a suitable wife through a man in Hong Kong for Wang Ta as he is concerned about his involvement with Linda Tung (the dancer) and Helen Chao (who killed herself).
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This does not happen in the film.
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This does not happen in the book.
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Master Wang buys an elegant dress for Mei Li. When Wang Ta sees her in it, he tells her she is very attractive.
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This does not happen in the book. But Linda's date at another club is attacked (shot at) by one of her other boyfriends.
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Linda Low arrives at a party with one of Sammy's employees dressed as a Navy Captain. Linda introduces him to Wang Ta and says her “brother” would like to meet his father. Linda tells Master Wang that that she lives alone in a small apartment. Linda's brother tells Master Wang that he would like his approval for Linda to Marry Wang Ta. Mei Li hears this and is upset. Helen Chao tells Nei Li that she thinks Wang Ta is not in love with Linda. Sammy confronts Linda, she says she needs some security after living with Sammy for five years.
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This does not happen in the book.
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Master Wang interrogates his eldest son about marrying Linda Low. Wang Ta says he would like to marry Linda, but his father objects. |