Richard Quine directed the film version of Richard Mason's novel (later a stage play) - the World of Suzie Wong. Premiered way back in 1960, it was a daring film for its time. The overt negative stereotyping of Asians aside, William Holden as Robert Lomax, the architect who escapes America to find his artistic soul in Hong Kong, and a so young Nancy Qwan as Suzie Wong, the prostitute who captures his eye, do a fine job as two misfits in their own worlds drawn, inexplicably, together. While Holden is too old (or Qwan too young) to make the love story really work, the film is worth a watch for its comedy; the wonderful scenes of a Hong Kong that no longer exists; and for boldly - yet compassionately - portraying an inter-racial relationship to a world ill-equipped to face it.
My rating 7 out of 10.
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Yes, it was wonderful to see Hong Kong as it was in 1960. Films do give us a glimpse of the past. I also wrote an essay on the film called "Why Older Men Love Younger Women." http://christopherjohnlindsay.wordpress.com/2014/05/14/suzie-wong/
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