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.