American architect Robert Lomax (William Holden) moves to Hong Kong for a year to see if he can make a living as a painter. Whilst aboard the Star Ferry, en route to Hong Kong Island, he meets a smartly dressed young woman of seemingly lofty social status. She eventually introduces herself as Mei Ling (Nancy Kwan) and says that her father is very wealthy. When the ferry docks, they go their separate ways.
With limited financial resources, Robert looks for an inexpensive room in the teeming Wan Chai district, a poor area known for prostitution. By chance, he sees Mei Ling leaving the run-down Nam Kok Hotel. When he inquires inside, the hotel owner, replies that he does not know any Mei Ling, but responds excitedly to Robert's request to rent a room for a whole month, unlike the usual hourly rate. Robert eventually goes into the bar adjoining the hotel, where he sees Mei Ling again, this time dressed in a slinky red cheongsam and in the company of a sailor. He learns her real name is Suzie Wong and that she is the bar's most popular girl. The following day, Robert visits a banker to set up an account. The banker's secretary and daughter, Kay O'Neill (Sylvia Syms), is immediately attracted to the newcomer......
Directed by Richard Quine
Written by John Patrick
Based on the play by Paul Osborn
Produced by Ray Stark
Starring William Holden
Nancy Kwan
Cinematography Geoffrey Unsworth
Edited by Bert Bates
Music by George Duning
William Holden as Robert Lomax
Nancy Kwan as Suzie Wong
Sylvia Syms as Kay O'Neill
Michael Wilding as Ben Marlowe
Laurence Naismith as O'Neill
Andy Ho as Ah Tong
Jacqui Chan as Gwennie Lee
Yvonne Shima as Minnie Ho