China Girl (1942)

In November 1941, American news photographer Johnny 'Bugsy' Williams manages to escape from the Japanese and finds himself back in Burma where he meets the beautiful Miss Haoli Young. ... See full summary »

Director:

Henry Hathaway

Writers:

Ben Hecht, Darryl F. Zanuck

Stars:

Gene Tierney, George Montgomery, Lynn Bari

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Gene Tierney	...	Miss Haoli Young
George Montgomery	...	Johnny Williams
Lynn Bari	...	Captain Fifi
Victor McLaglen	...	Major Bull Weed
Alan Baxter	...	Bill Jones
Sig Ruman	...	Jarubi
Myron McCormick	...	Shorty McGuire
Robert Blake	...	Chandu (as Bobby Blake)
Ann Pennington	...	Entertainer
Philip Ahn	...	Dr. Young

Storyline

In November 1941, American news photographer Johnny 'Bugsy' Williams manages to escape from the Japanese and finds himself back in Burma where he meets the beautiful Miss Haoli Young. Johnny is also a flyer and his friend Shorty McGuire is after him to join the Flying Tigers. He could make a small fortune filming the Burma Road but puts off the opportunity to be with Haoli, but she leaves unexpectedly for Kunming where her father runs a school. He has a price on his head and spies working for the Japanese are ready to nab him. When he hears that the Japanese are going to wipe out Kunming, he sets off to rescue Haoli.

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Taglines:

FIGHTING TIGRESS! In her heart...cold hate that defied the terror of the Japs...warm love for a fighting, flying Yank! Here is tempestuous romance amid the flame and violence of today's mighty conflict!

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

9 December 1942 (USA)

Also Known As:

Infierno en la tierra

Filming Locations:

20th Century Fox Studios - 10201 Pico Blvd., Century City, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording) Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Betty Grable was considered for the Gene Tierney role.

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Goofs

The Japanese infantrymen are wearing German helmets.

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Connections

References Gunga Din (1939)

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Soundtracks

"Put Your Arms Around Me, Honey (I Never Knew Any Girl Like You)"
(uncredited)
Music by Albert von Tilzer
Lyrics by Junie McCree
Sung and danced by Ann Pennington

User Reviews

Worth seeing for Tierny and Bari alone

This is an underrated film that has received reviews too dismissing, I feel. I agree with the above reviewer on some of its shortcomings, but would also point out that there is a very nice tension set up between Gene Tierney and Lynn Bari throughout most of the story — which certainly had me watch it through to the very end. Contrary to other opinions, Tierney fans will not be disappointed here, although I agree she doesn't truly shine as in some others; and Lynn Bari is at her best and definitely makes us wish she had been given more prominent parts. Some feel that Bari actually makes this movie, but this may be going too far. Moreover, I don't believe China Girl was ever intended as a war movie per se, rather a drama. The war-scene ending just happens to be the bitter twist that closes what is essentially a war-time drama between a guy and two gals — it's no more complex than that.

Also, the camera is no slouch either, in this movie. It has excellent shots in the hotel rooms where much of the action takes place, giving it a somewhat noir feel that definitely generates an overall stylish period polish that is in synch with the true noirs of the period. If you like this style, as I do, China Girl is worth seeking out. One can only hope that it will eventually become part of a Tierny Collection. I'm certainly keeping my fingers crossed!