The World of Suzie Wong (1960)

The World of Suzie Wong (1960)

What happens when a romantic fantasy runs headfirst into class, money, and cultural power? This film sells itself as a lush Hollywood love story. However, beneath the surface, it negotiates uncomfortable truths about desire, control, and misunderstanding that most movies of its era preferred not to touch.

“So, let’s start at the beginning.”

Hello to all of the classic people who are returning. I am glad you are back. I want to welcome any new visitors and let you know there will be spoilers ahead. Today on Classic Movie Review, we are taking on The World of Suzie Wong (1960).

This film has a 6.9 rating on IMDb.com.[1] On RottenTomatoes.com, this film has an abysmal 33 percent on the Tomatometer and only 68 percent on the Popcornmeter.[2] I am shocked by these ratings.

Cranky old New York Times film critic Bosley Crowther said in a November 11, 1960, review:

For here in this wildly romantic, vividly imagined color film, …there is packaged the glowingest commercial for love conquering everything including the taint of prostitution, these old eyes have ever seen.

Mr. Patrick’s screen play contrives such a winning yum-yum girl that, even if she is invented, she’s a charming little thing to have around. Her habit of making up stories, of telling lies about herself, then exploding with bursts of shocking candor, is amusing, for goodness sake![3]

So, I think what makes this movie good is Nancy Kwan in her first film role. She is light and bubbly and seems like someone who would be fun to hang with. I mean, other than her job.

Actors – The World of Suzie Wong (1960)

Returning

One of my absolute favorites, William Holden, played the lead role of would-be artist Robert Lomax. Naturally, I favor his performances in the Film Noir Sunset Blvd. (1950) and Stalag 17 (1953), where his trademark cynicism is on full display.

Holden was amazing as the forlorn fighter pilot in The Bridges at Toko-Ri (1954). He again showed this side to the public in John Ford’s The Horse Soldiers (1959). Across these films, Holden projected a calm authority mixed with doubt, making him one of the most believable and influential leading men of the classic era.

Nancy Kwan played the title role of Suzie Wong. A fortunate twist led to her being cast in her first film role in The World of Suzie Wong (1960). France Nuyen was cast in the role but was removed for either weight gain, pregnancy, or depression. Nancy trained as a ballet dancer; she never intended to become an actor.

Kwan later appeared in Flower Drum Song (1961), a culturally significant film. I have covered her previously in Fate is the Hunter (1964), a story of an airline crash. There is a link in the description. There are two other movies I would like to mention. The first is a comedy, Lt. Robin Crusoe, U.S.N. (1966), where Kwan was the leader of an island tribe. I’ve said it before, I don’t have any idea why Dick Van Dyke, as Crusoe, would try so hard to escape that island. The second movie is The Wrecking Crew (1968), which, as far as I can tell, is the movie Sharon Tate (Margot Robbie) watched in Once Upon a Time in… Hollywood (2019).

Laurence Naismith played the role of banker Mr. O’Neil. Naismith was first covered for his role as the doctor in Village of the Damned (1960), and there is a link in the description. I look forward to covering him again in his role of Argo in Jason and the Argonauts (1963).

New

Sylvia Syms played Mr. O’Neils’ daughter and secretary, Kay O’Neill, who becomes immediately romantically interested in Robert Lomax. Syms was born in England in 1934. She had a long career with 130 films and television credits.

Syms made her stage debut in 1954 and was cast in Teenage Bad Girl (1956). That movie sounds great. Some of her standout performances include Woman in a Dressing Gown (1957), today’s film The World of Suzie Wong (1960), Victim (1961), What a Girl Wants (2003), and as the Queen Mother in The Queen (2006). Syms died in 2003.

Story- The World of Suzie Wong (1960)

The film begins with American Robert Lomax (William Holden) arriving in Hong Kong. He rides the crowded ferry across the bay. He sketches an old man on his drawing pad before his attention is drawn to a pair of women and a baby. When he tries to talk to the woman, she sternly rebuffs him, saying she is a wealthy and proper girl. She even tries to have him arrested.

At the end of their conversation, the young woman shows some interest before disappearing into the crowd. All he has is the name Mi-Ling. On land, Lomax explains to a policeman that he is looking to live in a slum district to save money. The cop has trouble understanding why an Anglo would expose himself to the dregs of humanity.

Lomax wanders through the crowded market, standing out like a sore thumb. At last, he finds a dingy hotel. He sees the woman from the ferry, Mi-Ling, leaving in a rickshaw but he can’t catch her eye.

Inside, he asks about Mi-Ling, but the owner has no information. He winds up renting a room for $50 a month. It has some nice views, and Lomax tells the owner he is a painter and the roof view will be perfect for his work. After a bit, sailors start coming by looking for Minnie Ho (Yvonne Shima). He sees other ladies entertaining and starts to catch a clue about where he is living. Girls flirt with sailors throughout the hotel.

The hotel has a bar attached, so that is convenient. All the working women are wearing bright-colored cheongsam dresses. Lomax goes in for a beer and watches the activities. He can’t resist pulling out his sketch book. He is soon joined by the bespectacled and homey Gwennie Lee (Jacqueline Chan). She knits while they talk, and he draws her picture. Gwennie Lee reads a letter from a man she had met earlier.

Suddenly, wearing a bright red Cheongsam, the woman purported to be Mi-Ling comes down the stairs. She immediately goes to a sailor at the bar. She says she has never met Lomax, and her name is Suzie Wong. Gwennie Lee says Suzie is her best friend and the most popular girl in the bar. Lomax ponders the drawing of Mi-Ling. Finally, Suzie comes to Lomax to talk. She laughs about lying to him. She asks if she can be his girlfriend for the month. He politely declines.

The next day, Lomax takes a rickshaw to a bank where he meets with Mr. O’Neil (Laurence Naismith). He opens an account and says he is an architect on a year-long sabbatical, trying to make it as an artist. He is introduced to O’Neil’s secretary/daughter, Kay (Sylvia Syms). O’Neil gives him some introduction letters and a membership to his club.

Back at the hotel, the bar is hopping. Suzie sits with an Englishman named Ben Marlowe (Michael Wilding). Right off the bat, Ben complains about how his wife treats him.

Gwennie Lee intercepts Lomax outside as she needs an escort into the bar. Suzie dances with a sailor, and Kwan really shows off her background as a professional dancer. Lomax is fascinated, and Ben is entranced.

Later that night, Lomax asks the hotel operator to send Suzie to his room. There is a big stir among the girls as they had all wondered when the month-long guest would choose a companion. Suzie doesn’t take it well that Lomax only wants to use her as a model. She says she will lose face among her peers. She finally agrees to model.

At the end of a modelling session, a drunk Ben arrives looking for Suzie. He then passes out in Lomax’s bed. Lomax takes Suzie to a swanky restaurant and uses O’Neill’s introduction letter to get seated. Suzie can’t read, but Lomax defends her from the waiter. Suzie says she has been in the business since she was 10. Suzie and Lomax speak with O’Neill and Kay. Kay sets up a dinner with Lomax.

After dinner, Suzie makes an excuse to go back to Lomax’s room. She wants to be his permanent girlfriend. She says she feels something for Lomax. They are about to kiss, but are interrupted by a sailor knocking on the door.

Over time, Lomax continues to paint Suzie, and she becomes his muse, like Terpsichore (Olivia Newton-John) was to Sonny Malone (Michael Beck) in Xanadu (1980) and similar to how Rusty Parker/Maribelle Hicks (Rita Hayworth) was to Danny McGuire (Gene Kelly) in Cover Girl (1944). It is possible, that part of Xanadu (1980) is a tribute or throwback to Cover Girl (1944)

Later, Suzie works outside the bar until she locates a senior British sailor. Suzie tells her gang that she is working as Lomax’s full-time girlfriend. When she gets to his room, Suzie is not happy that Lomax is going to dinner with Kay. Suzie says she will wait in the room until Lomax returns.

Lomax and Kay are at a fancy dinner party with a large group. Max is there with his wife, and he recognizes Lomax from somewhere. Max finally recalls where he knows Lomax from. In general, the English people are very racist towards the Chinese. However, O’Neill is much more liberal, saying his sister married a Chinese doctor and they are living quite well in England.

Suzie brings her posse to Lomax’s room to show off the possessions of her supposed full-time boyfriend. The girls are thrilled by the paintings of Suzie, Gwennie Lee, and Minnie Ho (Yvonne Shima). Suzie thrills the gang with Lomax’s wealth. She orders room service tea and rice cakes for her friends.

When they are alone, Kay tells Lomax that her father doesn’t have a sister, and he simply dislikes pompous people. Lomax tells her that he has enough money to make it as an artist. Kay wants to see Lomax’s paintings, so she drives him to his dive hotel. Suzie is asleep on the bed. Suzie gigs Kay pretty hard, and the English girl leaves, being slightly angry and embarrassed.

Suzie makes another play for Lomax, but he rejects her. She meets the older sailor on the stairwell. He beats her when she rejects his advances. The beaten Suzie goes to Lomax’s room. He confronts the sailor in the lobby and knocks the man into the street. Lomax takes Suzie back to his room and cares for her wounds.

Lomax wants to help her but doesn’t know how. Suzie wants to tell her girlfriends that Lomax was the one who beat her. She tells the tale anyway and says Lomax hit her because he was in love with her.

Later, Lomax takes Suzie to the docks to draw traditional images of her. She takes him to a part of town where she knows everyone. They take a small junk across the harbor. It brings to mind the art of fighting without fighting in Enter the Dragon (1973).

They arrive at a seafood restaurant where you pick your fish at the catch point. Inside, Kay and Ben are having lunch. Of course, Ben is complaining to Kay about his wife. Kay invites them to join. Ben is awkward around Suzie. Kay wants to see Lomax’s painting, and Suzie asks Ben to take her home.

In the lobby, Minnie Ho is shocked to see Lomax with Kay instead of Suzie. Kay is struck by the quality of Lomax’s painting. She says she will get help from an art dealer friend. Lomax is looking for Suzie because she hasn’t shown up in a couple of days. Minnie Ho hugs Lomax because he exchanged some money for her. Suzie shows up and attacks Minnie Ho.

Lomax takes Suzie to his room to continue modeling. Ben calls and is coming to see Suzie. Lomax again refuses to let her be his full-time girlfriend. Ben wants to visit Suzie. He has left his wife and wants Suzie to be his full-time girlfriend. Suzie goads Lomax, and he says he doesn’t want her.

Some time passes, and Suzie comes to model for Lomax, but mostly she wants to taunt him. Lomax says Ben will not get divorced. Lomax refuses to get jealous.

Lomax begins working with Kay as a model. Suzie walks in on Lomax giving Kay a neck rub. Suzie is wearing European clothes, and Lomax thinks she looks cheap. He takes the outfit off of her and throws it in the street. Suzie breaks down crying.

Sometime later, Lomax is invited to the club by Max. Max says that he is going back to his wife and needs to break up with Suzie. He wants Lomax to deliver the news to Suzie. Max never intended to be serious with Suzie.

Lomax asks Suzie to his apartment to deliver the news. Suzie continues to lie about her relationship with Ben. Lomax delivers the news. Suzie is crushed as she thought Ben was her way out of her life. Lomax begs her not to go away. He says they will work it out. She refuses his offer, thinking it was done out of pity. But she quickly returns.

As a couple, Lomax enters his greatest artistic period. Suzie introduces him to Chinese culture. Lomax questions Suzie about the times she disappears. He is not jealous; he is simply curious. He gives her a crown and a fine silk outfit to wear.

It starts to rain while Suzie is dressing. The outfit looks very similar to the outfit Gracie Law (Kim Cattrall) wore in Big Trouble in Little China (1986) for her forced wedding with David Lo Pan (James Hong).

In the morning, Suzie heads out. Lomax is concerned. He tries to follow her through the crowded streets. She travels uphill to a place where houses are perched on the mountainside. Finally, he follows her into a small house where he finds Suzie with her very fat baby. Lomax wants to know why she didn’t tell him about the baby.

Lomax is tender with Suzie and holds the baby. She asks to be beaten up. They spend time together like a young couple with a baby, who are deeply in love. Suzie goes to get her fortune told. She translates the fortune teller as saying that Suzie will go to America after the monsoon rains.

Lomax shifts to painting Suzie with the baby. They don’t sell. Kay offers to advance Lomax funds, but he refuses the help, having not heard about the first bunch of paintings Kay sent to London. Suzie tries to give Lomax money as well, and he does accept it from her.

Kay tells her father that Lomax is coming in for a loan. She says giving him the money will help her matrimonial prospects. He actually wants help finding a job. O’Neil says he will help.

Suzie wants to help Lomax stay an artist. She offers to go back to work to support him. He insults her, and she runs out. Suzie doesn’t return, and Lomax finally goes up the hill to look for her. Suzie has moved. Lomax wanders the streets looking for Suzie as the monsoon season begins. He tries the police and hangs out by the ferry where they first met.

He cruises the Flower Boat district looking for her. These boats were explained by Mother Gin Sling (Ona Munson) in The Shanghai Gesture (1941). Gwennie Lee tries to find her, too, but no one knows her whereabouts.

When he comes back to his room, Kay is waiting to tell him that one of his paintings has been sold in London. Kay can’t believe Lomax is in love with Suzie. He puts himself in her desperate state and wonders what he would have done in her place. Kay still doesn’t give up on Lomax and invites him to dinner.

Kay tells her father she is in love with Lomax and asks him to help him. When Lomax arrives, he notes that the streets are flooding from the monsoons. O’Neil says he couldn’t hire a man who was married to a former prostitute. Lomax leaves.

As he sits at a street stand, eating, he sees ambulances heading up the hill. Suzie is waiting outside the hotel. She says the hill is slipping, and she can’t reach her baby. The two head to the disaster area. Suzie breaks through the line and heads up the hill. Lomax follows her. They are too late; the baby has been killed. Lomax takes the broken Suzie back down the hill.

Later, Suzie and her friends hold a burial ceremony for the baby. Lomax stands behind and watches. The girls are burning gifts for the baby to have in the afterlife, such as a rickshaw, so he won’t have to walk, and books so he will be educated. Suzie asks that Lomax write a letter of introduction for the baby. Lomax adds the letter to the fire.

Lomax proposes to Suzie, and she says she will stay until he sends her away. They walk away together.

Conclusion – The World of Suzie Wong (1960)

First off, it’s the worst time and place for a proposal. Secondly, why did they have to sacrifice the baby in the story so the couple could be together?

It had been a long time since I had seen this film, and it wasn’t quite as good as I remembered. However, it is beautifully shot and shows many cultures and places that no longer exist. It’s definitely worth a watch.

Richard Mason wrote the book “The World of Suzie Wong,” published in 1957. It was turned into a Broadway play in 1958. The play starred France Nuyen as Suzie Wong and our favorite captain, William Shatner as Robert Lomax. France Nuyen was cast in the film but was later removed from the role.

World-Famous Short Summary – If loving you is wrong, I don’t want to be right.

Beware the moors.

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[1] https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0054483/

[2] The World of Suzie Wong | Rotten Tomatoes

[3] The Screen: ‘World of Suzie Wong’ Nancy Kwan, Holden Star