Anna May Wong was producer Ross Hunter's original choice for Madame Liang, and Wong wanted to do the film. Her sudden death at the age of 56, just before filming was scheduled to begin, resulted in the part being given to Juanita Hall, who had created the role on Broadway.
Many who are familiar with the screen version of Flower Drum Song are mystified as to why the stage version is not more frequently revived. In fact, Joseph C. Wright, who co-wrote the libretto of the Broadway production with Oscar Hammerstein II, made significant changes to the show's plot and structure for the film version, to the point where only a fraction of the original dialogue was retained. The film version is far less patronizing to the Asian-American community than its stage predecessor, as it makes an honest, heartfelt attempt to explore generational culture clash in San Francisco's Chinatown of the early 1960s.
Miyoshi Umeki was nominated for the 1959 Tony Award, for Actress in a Musical, and recreated her role in the film version.
Jack Soo who plays Sammy Fong in the film appeared in the original Broadway cast, but not as Sammy. On Broadway he played Frankie Wing, Sammy Fong's emcee.
Miyoshi Umeki, while appearing to be very demure, was known for her sense of humor. When asked what the Japanese word for money was she replied "loot."