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IMDbPro

The Bitter Tea of General Yen

  • 19321932
  • ApprovedApproved
  • 1h 28m
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
4.1K
YOUR RATING
Barbara Stanwyck and Nils Asther in The Bitter Tea of General Yen (1932)
DramaRomanceWar
A Chinese warlord and an engaged Christian missionary fall in love.A Chinese warlord and an engaged Christian missionary fall in love.A Chinese warlord and an engaged Christian missionary fall in love.
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
4.1K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Frank Capra
  • Writers
    • Grace Zaring Stone(from the story by)
    • Edward E. Paramore Jr.(screen play)
  • Stars
    • Barbara Stanwyck
    • Nils Asther
    • Toshia Mori
  • Director
    • Frank Capra
  • Writers
    • Grace Zaring Stone(from the story by)
    • Edward E. Paramore Jr.(screen play)
  • Stars
    • Barbara Stanwyck
    • Nils Asther
    • Toshia Mori
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 63User reviews
    • 39Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win

    Photos66

    Barbara Stanwyck and Nils Asther in The Bitter Tea of General Yen (1932)
    Barbara Stanwyck in The Bitter Tea of General Yen (1932)
    Barbara Stanwyck and Nils Asther in The Bitter Tea of General Yen (1932)
    Barbara Stanwyck and Nils Asther in The Bitter Tea of General Yen (1932)
    Barbara Stanwyck and Nils Asther in The Bitter Tea of General Yen (1932)
    Barbara Stanwyck and Nils Asther in The Bitter Tea of General Yen (1932)
    Barbara Stanwyck and Walter Connolly in The Bitter Tea of General Yen (1932)
    Barbara Stanwyck and Walter Connolly in The Bitter Tea of General Yen (1932)
    Barbara Stanwyck and Nils Asther in The Bitter Tea of General Yen (1932)
    Nils Asther in The Bitter Tea of General Yen (1932)
    The Bitter Tea of General Yen (1932)
    Barbara Stanwyck in The Bitter Tea of General Yen (1932)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Barbara Stanwyck
    Barbara Stanwyck
    • Megan
    Nils Asther
    Nils Asther
    • General Yen
    Toshia Mori
    Toshia Mori
    • Mah-Li
    Walter Connolly
    Walter Connolly
    • Jones
    Gavin Gordon
    Gavin Gordon
    • Bob
    Lucien Littlefield
    Lucien Littlefield
    • Mr. Jackson
    Richard Loo
    Richard Loo
    • Capt. Li
    Helen Jerome Eddy
    Helen Jerome Eddy
    • Miss Reed
    Emmett Corrigan
    Emmett Corrigan
    • Bishop Harkness
    Jessie Arnold
    Jessie Arnold
    • Mrs. Blake
    • (uncredited)
    Clara Blandick
    Clara Blandick
    • Mrs. Jackson
    • (uncredited)
    Robert Bolder
    Robert Bolder
    • Missionary
    • (uncredited)
    Nora Cecil
    Nora Cecil
    • Missionary
    • (uncredited)
    Wong Chung
    Wong Chung
    • Chinese Officer
    • (uncredited)
    Knute Erickson
    Knute Erickson
    • Dr. Hansen
    • (uncredited)
    Willie Fung
    Willie Fung
    • Officer
    • (uncredited)
    Adda Gleason
    Adda Gleason
    • Mrs. Bowman
    • (uncredited)
    Ella Hall
    Ella Hall
    • Mrs. Amelia Hansen
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Frank Capra
    • Writers
      • Grace Zaring Stone(from the story by)
      • Edward E. Paramore Jr.(screen play)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The Bitter Tea of General Yen was the first film to play at Manhatten's fabled Radio City Music Hall upon its opening on January 6, 1933. It was also one of the first films to deal openly with interracial sexual attraction. It was a box office failure upon its release and has since been overshadowed by Capra's later efforts. In recent years, the film has grown in critical opinion. In 2000, the film was chosen by film critic Derek Malcolm as one of the 100 best films in The Century of Films.
    • Goofs
      The beginning sequence takes place as the text reading the "Burning of Chapei" is flashed on the screen. The burning of Chapei occurred on September 18, 1931, while the film was still in production. The film follows the original novel, which was set in the late 1920s during the Chinese Civil War. The Chinese Civil War was clearly integrated into the plot of the film. Little, if any, of the plot makes reference to the Japanese/Chinese conflict of 1931-1932. None of the characters in film are identified as Japanese. Capra wanted it to be an Academy Award contender and hoped to create interest by adding this connection to the timely events.
    • Quotes

      Megan Davis: Can't you forgive her? She's only a child. You can always do so much more with mercy than you can with murder. Why don't you give her another chance? Oh, I know you feel that she has deceived you and sold information to your enemies; perhaps, even been unfaithful to you. All that's dreadful and if its true you have a certain justification in wanting to crush her. But, I want you to think of all those things and then forgive her. I don't know how you feel about Mah-Li; I mean, whether you love her or, well, as a lover. But, that's of no importance. I want you to see the beauty of giving love where it isn't merited. Any man can give love where he's sure of its return. That isn't love at all. But, to give love with no merit, no thought of return, no thought of gratitude even; that's ordinarily the privilege of God. And now its your privilege. Oh, General, with all you have within you, your superior brain, your culture, how can you be so blind to spiritual braveness? Do this thing I ask you. Do it for me. Do it even blindly, if you must, and I promise you, I'm so sure of it, I promise you that for the first time in your life you'll know what real happiness is.

    • Connections
      Featured in Frank Capra's American Dream (1997)
    • Soundtracks
      Onward Christian Soldiers
      (1871) (uncredited)

      Music from "St. Gertrude" by Arthur Sullivan (1871)

      Lyrics by Sabine Baring-Gould (1865)

      Sung by an unidentified quartet at the wedding

    User reviews63

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    8/10
    Interesting pre code drama
    Obviously a pre-code film since the subject of attraction between a white woman and an Asian man would be a taboo one for many years once the production code went into effect just after this film was released. Capra creates a mood piece with some compelling and strange imagery helped greatly by the excellent performances of the stars. The film is driven by Barbara Stanwyck, Capra's favorite leading lady and here it is easy to see why, she always delivered intense real work. Nils Asther is all but forgotten today but he really registers with a multifaceted performance. Considering the times in which it was made there may be portrayals which jar a modern viewer but if you are willing to take that into account this is quite an unusual picture.
    helpful•11
    2
    • jjnxn-1
    • May 10, 2013

    FAQ5

    • What is 'The Bitter Tea of General Yen' about?
    • Is 'The Bitter Tea of General Yen' based on a book?
    • Was Megan in love with Yen?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 6, 1933 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • Mandarin
      • French
    • Also known as
      • La amargura del general Yen
    • Filming locations
      • San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Columbia Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 28 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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