China Beach 

The trials of a weary nurse, her friends and colleagues in a Vietnam War field hospital.

Creators:

John Sacret Young, William Broyles Jr.

Stars:

Dana Delany, Michael Boatman, Robert Picardo

Won 1 Golden Globe. Another 25 wins & 46 nominations.

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
Dana Delany	...	Colleen McMurphy 62 episodes, 1988-1991
Michael Boatman	...	Pvt. Samuel Beckett 62 episodes, 1988-1991
Robert Picardo	...	Dr. Dick Richard 62 episodes, 1988-1991
Concetta Tomei	...	Maj. Lila Garreau 62 episodes, 1988-1991
Marg Helgenberger	...	K.C. Kolowski 62 episodes, 1988-1991
Brian Wimmer	...	Cpl. Boonie Lanier 62 episodes, 1988-1991
Jeff Kober	...	Sgt. Evan 'Dodger' Winslow 58 episodes, 1988-1991
Nancy Giles	...	Pvt. Frankie Bunsen 54 episodes, 1988-1991
Troy Evans	...	Sgt. Pepper / ... 28 episodes, 1989-1991

Storyline

Dateline: November 1967, within klicks of Danang, Vietnam, sits a U.S. Army base, bar and hospital on China Beach. This is the 'Nam, filled with wounded soldiers and one very lovely but damaged Army Nurse Colleen Mc Murphy. Many heroes, dead and alive, in the forms of nurses, warriors, Donut Dollies, lifeguards, politicians, USO entertainers, Chopper Chicks, doctors, officers and enlisted men, brothers and sisters, Kool-Aid Kids, orderlies, medics, morticians, Army brass and one hostile prostitute named K.C. try to make sense of life and death in between bourbon, bullets and battles.

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Plot Keywords:

20th century | woman | man | nurse | vietnam | 

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Genres:

Drama | History | War

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 April 1988 (USA)

Also Known As:

Kineska plaža

Filming Locations:

Indian Dunes - 28700 Henry Mayo Drive, Valencia, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Sacret, Warner Bros. Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min (60 episodes) 120 min (pilot) 120 min (series finale)

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Several of the storylines, and even some of the dialogue were taken directly from the experiences and recollections of actual Vietnam era military nurses.

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Goofs

McMurphy's pilot boyfriend is a Captain (wearing two silver bars on each shoulder) and has Command Pilot wings on his flight suit name tag (pilot's wings with a star surrounded by a wreath). To earn Command Pilot wings you have to be a rated pilot for 15 years and have 3,000 hours of flight time. No pilot in the USAF would be a rated pilot for 15 years and amass 3,000 flying hours and still be a Captain. Besides, assuming he graduated college at age 22 and flight training at 23, and then flew for 15 years he would be 38 years old. Clearly he isn't that old. [See Wikipedia article on "U.S. Air Force aeronautical rating" for rating criteria]

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Quotes

Dr. Dick Richard: You wanna keep it down? I can't hear the war.

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Connections

Spoofed in China Bitch (1989)

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Soundtracks

Reflections
(Theme)
Written by Brian Holland / Lamont Dozier / Eddie Holland
Recorded by Diana Ross & The Supremes

User Reviews

Thank You!

I just wanted to express my sincere thanks to everyone associated with this series. I have seen it before, and watching it again on The History Channel reminds me how important it was. I am a 36 year old American Male. Without this show I never would have had the desire to learn about Vietnam. The show inspired me to take on a bit of effort and learn some things for myself. It is sad that a television show had to inspire me to learn about my country's history. That my own country didn't care enough to teach me. I am so thankful for that knowledge. That knowledge has allowed me to speak to my uncles, bosses and others about the war and to be able to relate in general. I learned a lot. The most important things I learned: living an honest life; being true to one self; never taking life for granted; never, ever holding a grudge, and most of all compassion. Simple things. Little things. But oh so important. These things are no longer generally taught and are seldom seen.

I have introduced the show to my 15 year old nephew and hope he too will see some of things in the show I did. I hope he is inspired.

Thanks again!