China Doll (1958)

Most undeservingly overhyped movie of all time??

Instead, you get a movie that's enjoyable enough, but leaves you feeling like it could have been much, much more.

In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

It's a mild crowd pleaser for people who are exhausted by blockbusters.

in beginning, C-47 went from silver with post-war markings to olive with mid-WWII markings.Batjak--John Wayne's production company interesting to hear Denver Pyle without his put-on Southern accent 86 minute mark--totally random stock footage of airplanes inserted "China Doll" is not a terrible film but it certainly leaves a lot to be desired--particularly if you like war films or know much about WWII airplanes. It's sad, as with a few changes and a better ending, it could have been satisfying.The film begins in China during WWII. A group of American servicemen are responsible for flying 'the hump'--a journey from India to China to provide war materials for the fight against the Japanese. Victor Mature plays a captain who spends his time flying and drinking. Duirng one of his drinking spells, however, he accidentally purchases a woman. More specifically, she becomes a short-term indentured servant to him. Although it does not happen for some time, you know pretty much that the two will be in love by the end of the film. However, this is a film with LOTS of complications for their love--and the ending certainly won't satisfy romance lovers! See the film and you'll understand.For me, the sappy and sickly sweet (and difficult to believe) romance was not the major problem. Being a retired history teacher and airplane buff, I was really annoyed by the sloppiness of the use of stock footage of airplanes and air battles. Too often, they were just randomly tossed in and seemed to have no rhyme or reason. In some cases, it was really pretty funny, as the C-47 transport at the beginning of the movie is painted in silver--and it lands painted all in olive drab! Other times, plane types simply change in mid-air! It's all pretty irritating and even non-purists like myself will notice. Sloppy and a film you could easily skip.

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?

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).

***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!