China Doll

After a decade's absence from the big screen director Frank Borzage did a few films toward the end of his life, the first being a tender love story set in Western China during World War II. Although you would hardly call Victor Mature's character an innocent like most of Borzage's protagonists, the female lead, Chinese actress Li Hua Li more than makes up for it in her character.

Mature is a transport pilot in the China-Burma-India theater and during a night on the town he wakes up finds out he's bought himself a Chinese concubine from her father. On a three month trial basis and Li Hua Li goes with him. Naturally this arrangement doesn't please all at the base with their western views on morality especially the women nurses. But Mature finds a surprising ally in Father Ward Bond who runs an orphanage and has spent decades in China and knows the customs well. In fact the main scene of the film is Bond presiding over a Chinese style wedding when the two realize they're in love. Of course the fact that a little one is on the way does speed everyone's plans up.

China Doll despite its themes of miscegenation is really a rather old fashioned film. Films like Sayonara and Love Is A Many Splendored Thing really tackled the whole issue far better. And I found the ending completely ridiculous especially if Mature's first concern was the safety of his infant daughter.

Vic and Li Hua Li are a touching pair of lovers though and the wartime combat scenes are expertly handled. Fans of Mature and of Ms. Li who is a big name in the Chinese cinema might like this though.

This appears to be a pretty low-budget movie. As such, it is very poignant -- right up there with Borzage's best. The location and matter-of-fact story of miscegenation, which must have been quite shocking for its time, remind one of Samuel Fuller (generally a far more rough and gritty director than Borzage).

I agree that it was touching in spots, downright sad in others, but what really spoiled it for me was the fact that the leading man and lady weren't able to kiss because of the race issue. That made it seem very stilted and unbelievable. Just when did they throw out the ban on interracial kissing, anyway?

An interesting medium-low budget film that brings together all the narrative ingredients that Hollywood is known for, but in this case, due to the budget, there are no flashy visuals or grand fireworks. The narrative line is quite well-constructed, and the characters, though sometimes a bit too caricatured, fit the stereotypes of the era. The film's interest lies in its thematic focus, which places the action at the airfield the Americans improvised in the Chinese city of Kunming. The Americans intervened in the Sino-Japanese War, first incognito in Chinese uniforms and later, after the declaration of war against Japan following the attack on Pearl Harbor, in American uniforms. And it was precisely in Kunming where the Flying Tigers were established, the volunteer aviators of the American Volunteer Group (AVG) who significantly contributed with their flight expertise to the still immature Chinese air defense at that time.

Banking on the success of the previous year's Sayonara, there were a few movies that continued with the theme of soldier who falls for an Asian woman in 1958. In this one, Victor Mature plays an experienced pilot in charge of training a bunch of green soldiers. He lets off steam from his stressful workday by getting drunk at a bar, and as he's staggering home, he's approached by an old Chinese man who sells him his daughter. Victor has no idea what's happened, but in the morning, he talks to his old friend who does speak Chinese and clarifies the matter.

Li Hua Li in her American debut, is Victor's indentured housekeeper, set to stay with him for three months while he gets his money's worth. At first, he's just content to let her mop the floor and cook his meals, but after she gets a makeover and a new dress, he notices other things about her. As you know if you see Victor in his non-epic films, he wears some wonderful expressions on his face when cast in a dramatic role.

The best part of this movie is Ward Bond, the priest who runs a local orphanage. He's sympathetic and wise, helps his pal Victor with problems of the heart, and speaks Chinese. Yes, you read that correctly; Ward Bond speaks Chinese. He's pretty good, too! So, if you're a fan, you've got to rent China Doll. Be prepared, though. It's a tearjerker. I wasn't prepared, and I wound up groping blindly for the Kleenex box.

DLM Warning: If you suffer from vertigo or dizzy spells, like my mom does, this movie might not be your friend. The first few minutes of the film have swirling camera work during the flying scenes, and it will make you sick. In other words, "Don't Look, Mom!"