The setting is Hong Kong in the late fifties…

The film tells the story of a bittersweet love affair between an American architect who has decided to try painting and a wonderful Asian girl who uses with vigor and diligence her essentially dirty trade in a turmoil of mischievous fantasy…

Suzie Wong (Nancy Kwan),attracted to Robert Lomax (Holden),offers to be his "steady girlfriend," but a world-weary Lomax informs her that he has had enough of love and wants only to paint…

Paint he does, and the irresistible hooker, appointed as a model, appears in his work in a variety of poses… A compassionate Lomax suddenly realizes he loves her and takes her as his mistress…

There are comic moments in Richard Quine's movie concerning the lies Suzie relates to win the respect of her prostitute friends and her drunken admirer, Ben (Michael Wilding).

Nancy Kwan in her film's debut displays a large range of feelings, alternating hardness, affection, and affinity

In this adorable, sad, dated, accessible romance, Nancy Kwan and William Holden shine. I don't usually like William Holden, but I loved his passion and depth of feeling in this movie. I used to say I only liked him in Picnic, but now I can proudly say I like him in two movies! This was Nancy Kwan's first film, and with no previous acting experience, it's amazing how she owns the role and commands attention on the screen.

William Holden, a starving artist, meets the prim and proper, beautiful Nancy Kwan while on a ferry boat to Hong Kong. He rents a room in a seedy hotel that's a favorite of prostitutes and sailors because it's all he can afford. Imagine his surprise when he recognizes one of the working girls in the downstairs lounge as Nancy Kwan! Nancy is adorably contradictory, and their on-again, off-again romance is beautiful and tender. Parts of the movie wouldn't be included in a remake-Nancy repeated asks Bill to beat her up so she can brag to her girlfriends that he gets jealous and possessive-but strangely enough, those parts work. It totally makes sense that Nancy's character would say those things, since she's young and stupid, and also since she's a low-class prostitute. Women who choose that line of work have a different idea of safety than other women.

I love this movie, so I'll absolutely recommend it if this type of love story appeals to you. Nancy is so adorable, even when she's given lines that are supposed to drive you crazy, you can't help but love her. Bill is seasoned and passionate, trying to grasp a slice of happiness as life passes him by. With two wonderful performances and an engaging love story, what else do you need?

DLM Warning: If you suffer from vertigo or dizzy spells, like my mom does, this movie might not be your friend. There are a couple of scenes where the camera bobs up and down on the water, and that will make you sick. In other words, "Don't Look, Mom!"

If there was one beautiful face on the screen that mesmerized me in 1960--it was Nancy Kwan as Suzie Wong in "The World of Suzie Wong". Forty five years later, I bought the DVD and I treasure this movie as much as I did in 1960. This was the time when Stars were Stars and beauty was not skin deep. Nancy Kwan stole the scenes from her "Permeanent boy friend, Lobert!" (Chinese version of Robert!). William Holden who was at the peak of his career at that time gave a subtle but memorable perf. There is more romance in this movie than "Casablanca" and "Sound of Music" combined. The location is beautifully captured, with background music embellishing the landscape. This was produced by Ray Stark and masterfully directed by Richard Quine. This was when Hollywood was the glamor capitol of the world and artistry and talent took higher billing. This movie is an attestation to the fact, that-you make good movies, people will see them no matter what, when and where. The movie was a visual treat, with an old fashioned romance and an innate beauty that the newer movies will never capture. "To who it may concern," Why can't Hollywood make more movie's like this?-"For Goodness Sake"!!!.