The Bitter Tea of General Yen (1933)

User Rating:

7.2/10   

Director:

Frank Capra

Writers:

Grace Zaring Stone (story)
Edward E. Paramore Jr. (screenplay)

Release Date:

6 January 1933 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | War

Tagline:

They found a love they dared not touch!

Plot:

The American missionary Megan Davis arrives in Shanghai during the Chinese Civil War to marry the missionary Dr...

Plot Keywords:

General | Missionary | Mistress | Palace | Chinese Civil War

Cast

Barbara Stanwyck	...	Megan
Nils Asther	...	General Yen
Toshia Mori	...	Mah-Li
Walter Connolly	...	Jones
Gavin Gordon	...	Bob
Lucien Littlefield	...	Mr. Jacobson
Richard Loo	...	Captain Li
Helen Jerome Eddy	...	Miss Reed
Emmett Corrigan	...	Bishop Harkness

Runtime:

88 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Mandarin | French

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Noiseless Recording)

Certification:

South Korea:15 (2007) | USA:TV-PG (TV rating)

Filming Locations:

San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Columbia Pictures Corporation

Trivia:

Chinese officials in Washington, D.C. complained about the depiction of the treatment of war prisoners in this film (which were toned down a bit) and some dehumanizing language about the Chinese people, such as "Human life is the cheapest thing in China," (which remains in the film).

Quotes:

Jones: Between war and women, the General's got me by the nuts.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Die bitteren Tränen der Petra von Kant (1972)

Soundtrack:

Bridal Chorus (Here Comes the Bride)

I was amazed by the sexual chemistry

This film was made before Hollywood strengthened the censorship code. The sexual chemistry between Barbara Stanwyck and Nils Asther really amazed me! Director Frank Capra filled his story with strong overtones and suggestive dialogue. Very entertaining.