American pilot Cliff Brandon, fighting the Japanese in China, finds himself the unintentional "owner" of a Chinese housekeeper, Shu-Jen. The unlikely couple falls in love and marries, but no... Read allAmerican pilot Cliff Brandon, fighting the Japanese in China, finds himself the unintentional "owner" of a Chinese housekeeper, Shu-Jen. The unlikely couple falls in love and marries, but not without tragedy brought on by the war.American pilot Cliff Brandon, fighting the Japanese in China, finds himself the unintentional "owner" of a Chinese housekeeper, Shu-Jen. The unlikely couple falls in love and marries, but not without tragedy brought on by the war.
Elaine Devry
- Alice Nichols
- (as Elaine Curtis)
Don 'Red' Barry
- MSgt. Hal Foster
- (as Donald Barry)
Tita Aragon
- Shiao-Mee Brandon
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe female lead actress Li Hua Li nicknamed "Evergreen Tree" was a major star of the Chinese film industry during the 1950s and 1960s, mostly working in Hong Kong. During an interview in the 1990s, she admitted that she refused to do the kissing scene that was highly publicized in the press, but not because she had the right in her contract. She said she couldn't stand the strong onion smell of the lead actor's breath.
- GoofsChina Burma India (CBI) patch is on the wrong sleeve for a few of the actors - should always be on the left sleeve.
- ConnectionsReferenced in The Way We Live (1959)
- SoundtracksSuppose
Words and Music by 'By' Dunham (as By Dunham) and Henry Vars
Featured review
Mature in Love in War-Torn China!
***SPOILERS*** ***SPOILERS*** 'China Doll' marked Frank Borzage's return to film after being 'blacklisted' for ten years, and for a modestly-budgeted film, it is a nifty war romance.
Cliff Brandon (Victor Mature) is a war-weary veteran pilot, assigned to airlifting supplies and training aircrews, in WWII China. To co-pilot Phil Gates (Olympian Bob Mathias), and his new crew (including singer Johnny Desmond, and rising actors Stuart Whitman and Tige Andrews), he is an abrupt and by-the-book nag (he tells them, "It's my job to get your dogtags back to the States...hopefully, with you still in them!"), but his coldness comes from losing too many men.
One night, as Brandon is drunkenly stumbling home, an old Chinese gentleman begs him for money, mentioning a girl. The pilot assumes the man is pimping, and hands him a wad of bills. Unknown to Brandon, the man was actually 'selling' his daughter, and Brandon now had a 'bride'.
The girl, Shu-Jen (played by newcomer Li Li Hua), accepts her new role with resignation, but as Brandon sobers up, he is shocked by what he has done. He attempts to rid himself of his 'bride', but discovers he cannot, 'honourably'. For three months, the American will have to live with the Chinese girl, until the 'debt' is paid.
There is a lot of humour as the months pass, and the pair start realizing their feelings. Events take a melodramatic turn, however, when the pilot suffers from a relapse of malaria; Shu-Jen undresses him, then tries to provide warmth by covering him with her body. Delirious, and racked with fever, he is aroused, sexually, and he 'takes' her, resulting in her pregnancy!
What prevents this scene from becoming tawdry are the performances of the leads, the following day; Mature conveys such sincerity and awkwardness that you know that he respects the girl, and will not take the night's passion lightly. Li Li Hua, barely speaking English, is a wonder, conveying the nuances of the innocent girl's love by her eyes, her smile, and her posture. The pair have a chemistry that makes the scene, and the entire film work.
Without giving away the ending, let me say that a LOT happens after 'the night', and the film integrates the war quite effectively into the story, building to a climax and resolution that might surprise you!
This isn't a movie that appears on TV frequently, and is not available to buy, but if you get an opportunity to see it, check it out...This is a VERY good little film!
Cliff Brandon (Victor Mature) is a war-weary veteran pilot, assigned to airlifting supplies and training aircrews, in WWII China. To co-pilot Phil Gates (Olympian Bob Mathias), and his new crew (including singer Johnny Desmond, and rising actors Stuart Whitman and Tige Andrews), he is an abrupt and by-the-book nag (he tells them, "It's my job to get your dogtags back to the States...hopefully, with you still in them!"), but his coldness comes from losing too many men.
One night, as Brandon is drunkenly stumbling home, an old Chinese gentleman begs him for money, mentioning a girl. The pilot assumes the man is pimping, and hands him a wad of bills. Unknown to Brandon, the man was actually 'selling' his daughter, and Brandon now had a 'bride'.
The girl, Shu-Jen (played by newcomer Li Li Hua), accepts her new role with resignation, but as Brandon sobers up, he is shocked by what he has done. He attempts to rid himself of his 'bride', but discovers he cannot, 'honourably'. For three months, the American will have to live with the Chinese girl, until the 'debt' is paid.
There is a lot of humour as the months pass, and the pair start realizing their feelings. Events take a melodramatic turn, however, when the pilot suffers from a relapse of malaria; Shu-Jen undresses him, then tries to provide warmth by covering him with her body. Delirious, and racked with fever, he is aroused, sexually, and he 'takes' her, resulting in her pregnancy!
What prevents this scene from becoming tawdry are the performances of the leads, the following day; Mature conveys such sincerity and awkwardness that you know that he respects the girl, and will not take the night's passion lightly. Li Li Hua, barely speaking English, is a wonder, conveying the nuances of the innocent girl's love by her eyes, her smile, and her posture. The pair have a chemistry that makes the scene, and the entire film work.
Without giving away the ending, let me say that a LOT happens after 'the night', and the film integrates the war quite effectively into the story, building to a climax and resolution that might surprise you!
This isn't a movie that appears on TV frequently, and is not available to buy, but if you get an opportunity to see it, check it out...This is a VERY good little film!
helpful•305
- cariart
- Nov 18, 2000
- How long is China Doll?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Languages
- Also known as
- Frank Borzage's China Doll
- Filming locations
- Saugus, California, USA(Kunming Airfield scenes)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime1 hour 39 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
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