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

Many of the Asian actors used were not actually Vietnamese. While Vietnam has (and had at the time of the war) a large ethnic Chinese population, some of the actors used were Koreans, Japanese and even Filipinos.

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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

Excellent drama about Vietnam nurses, doctors, soldiers

This is the popular and much acclaimed "China Beach" TV series. Dana Delany has the role of her life playing Colleen McMurphy, a dedicated triage nurse in Vietnam. This is not a war action movie, but rather a drama about the lives of Vietnam soldiers and the nurses, Red Cross "Donut Dollies", and USO entertainers who are there for them. Dana Delaney is stunning in the role of McMurphy -- this alone would make this a classic. In addition, the deep respect and understanding shown for the Vietnam GI's sets this apart from most of the other Vietnam movies. This is a movie that people who weren't in Vietnam should watch to get a better appreciation for the men and women who served there. For those who were there, this movie is a token of respect and appreciation for your service.