China notes

China (1943)

China by Paramount Pictures starring Alan Ladd, Loretta Young, and William Bendix.

Is this film about China or about Americans in China?

Themes to watch for:

· Japanese atrocities

· A cynical American oil trader who changes his mind about neutrality

· A missionary educator: the American mission to China

· Praise for Chiang Kai Shek and his new China

The time is November 1941, before Pearl Harbor. But remember…the movie was release in 1943…

At this point, American audiences had cheered Madame Chiang on her US tour. We thought Chinese were shaping up and were united and fighting the “Japs”

Jones sells oil to Japan to make a buck. War is not is business. Just like Rick in Casablanca…

American oil embargo was hurting Japan.

Johnny adopts a cute pathetic Chinese “warphan” or “war orphan”. Americans donated millions to United China Relief and other Chinese organizations. Remember this photograph that reminded Americans of the “warphan” situation and the atrocities of the Japanese

Miss Grant is the teacher/missionary type favored by Henry Luce.

Then we get references to the Japanese rapists and killers in Nanking.

Jones agrees to transport some of Miss Grant’s Chinese students. She compares the New China to our founding fathers. A constant reference in these Chinese films. Sun Yat Sen and Chiang kai Shek like George Washington, etc.

This film worked on two levels: pity for the Chinese youth, but admiration for the fighting China of Chiang kai Shek.

You may wonder about a few improbables…how come all the girls all speak perfect English? And how did Johnny and Jones become such heroic soldiers since they were civilians? Remember this if fictional…

Miss Grant compares Jones the cynic to her father, who later converted to serving Chiang kai Shek and China.

We see Chinese guerrillas never identified as communists bring down a Japanese plane. Reference to Fifth Route Army reminds one of communist Eighth Route Army…but no mention of the reds, only of United, Fighting China.

Jones, like Americans in 1941, is being drawn into a war he doesn’t want, slowly but inexorable.

And he enjoys killing Japanese rapists. This is the world of 1943, and brutal fighting in the southwest Pacific.

With Jones, Chinese improvise and blow up important bridge.

Jones seems to fall for the war, China, and Miss Grant, all in one. Their embrace implies things that could be shown in 1943.

In the end, the Japanese officer schooled in America gloats about Pearl Harbor. Notice that Pearl Harbor is invoked in many of the movies we have seen.

The Japanese say that the “new order” will destroy the democracies.

Jones expresses faith in the “little guys” people’s war.

And the Japanese are blown apart in the bridge over the ravine.

Symbol of Japanese arrogance and coming American victory.

So Jones forgets his isolationist ignorance, defeats the Japanese, and gets the girl!

Remember this was made in 1943 when our belief in Free Fighting China was at its innocent peak.