Here’s a rarity for you: Flower Drum Song, produced on Broadway in 1958, is one of the least well-known musicals by Rodgers & Hammerstein. So the 1961 film deserves our attention, and you’ll get it from my video intro and from my co-host for the discussion, Arnold Hirshon, who suggested the musical for the series out of real affection for this story and these songs.

The story: Set in then-contemporary San Francisco, the musical dealt with the conflict between that city’s traditionalist older Chinese-Americans and their Americanized children, who are anxious to break away. Mei Li, a lovely “picture bride” from China, has arrived to fufill her commitment to marry Sammy Fong, a local nightclub owner. But he prefers his showgirl Linda Low. How the problem is resolved is a good part of the fun.

The songs: R&H enjoyed their last pre-Sound of Music hit with “I Enjoy Being a Girl,” but the real treasures are the Asian-tinged “You Are Beautiful,” “A Hundred Million Miracles” and “I Am Going to Like It Here,” along with a soaring Rodgers ballad, “Love, Look Away.”

Hammerstein famously dubbed Flower Drum Song his “lucky hit.” We’ll see how you feel about his appraisal.