Bajo el cielo de China

Randolph Scott gets top billing, but ultimately this is Ruth Warrick's picture. She's a doctor holding together a makeshift hospital in China while its founder (Scott) is on his way back with much needed supplies--and a new wife, to her thinly-veiled disappointment. Having seen Warrick in a few other 1940s films, I can understand why the doc failed to notice her: despite her attractiveness, she never really exuded any sex appeal. But her character is very likable, while the new wife's shallowness becomes apparent within minutes of her entrance. And that's the problem with this picture--too easy. In fact, all it does is lower the audience's opinion of the foolish doctor for not seeing what's painfully apparent even to the other character's who don't speak the language. There's a similar subplot involving another doctor and a nurse, that's equally obvious. A wounded Japanese villain provides more action for the story, whose loose ends get tied up all too neatly and quickly. Either Pearl S. Buck's original novel just wasn't one of her better ones, or this movie doesn't do it justice. Nevertheless, it probably made for a decent lead-in on a double-feature back in the day.

China Sky is interesting as it shows a side of WWII that is seldom seen, the war in China. Few realize the enormity of what the Japanese did to China and it is seldom seen on television or in the movies. This gives at least a glimpse into that world.

The story was written by Pearl S. Buck. It has some of the worst dialog I've seen in a movie in many years. The story is predictable, and there is not one thing in the plot that comes as a surprise. The acting is a bit better than the dialog, but that really isn't saying much.

This movie is worth watching if for nothing else but the subject matter, but if one is expecting to be entertained please watch something else.

Randolph Scott started off his career in a variety of 1930s films, and when WWII started, he supported the troops (since an injury from the previous war prevented him from obtaining a commission) both by live performances and by making war pictures. Of course, in the 1950s, he exclusively made westerns. So if you want to catch him playing a medical doctor, you've only got two chances: Broken Dreams and China Sky.

In China Sky, Scottie runs a hospital in war-torn China. He's competent, fair, understanding, and has the love of a good woman by his side - only he doesn't know it. His faithful nurse, Ruth Warrick, is totally (and silently) in love with him. She knows his only passion is medicine, and during the uncertain wartime years, he couldn't possibly think of anything else but helping the wounded. Or can he?

I really liked this movie. It's not your typical war movie, and it's not your typical medical drama. The romance, while not the main focal point, is also compelling. Scottie does a great job, speaking Chinese and convincing the audience that he knows what he's doing on the operating table. If you only know him from his westerns, rent this movie. You'll also see a large number of Asian actors (and Anthony Quinn in his pre-stardom) with sizable parts, which was very unusual at the time and very much appreciated: Richard Loo, Benson Fong, H. T. Tsiang, and of course veteran actor Philip Ahn.

Politics in china, during world war two. A japanese prisoner must be kept alive so he can stand trial, per chen ta (quinn). American doctor thompson ( randolph scott) comes back to to the hospital with his new american bride (ellen drew). The premise is just ridiculous! What doctor would bring his new bride to a place that is getting bombed daily? And what silly, glamorous, new bride would want to go to such a place knowing before she arrived that it is an active target daily? And the silly bride constantly accuses hubby of cheating with female doctor durand (warrick). We spend a lot of time listening to the accusations from the bride. A lot of exaggerated people and personalities, to make sure the audience back home gets the patriotic message. Lots of stock war footage. Lots of fake, pigeon chinese-american language spoken by everyone. Some spy intrigue. Directed by ray enright, who had started with mack sennett! Story by pearl buck, who also wrote dragon seed and good earth! An okay film from rko.

----to fight over Randolph Scott in WWII China. Anthony Quinn, in an early role, plays the leader of the mountain fighters after the Japanese have taken over much of the country.

Scott and Warrick are doctors in hospital at the village that supports the fighters. At the beginning of the film, Scott has gone back to America to raise funds for supplies and while there, meets and marries a spoiled beauty (Drew) and brings her back to the daily air raids and death at the village.

Warrick, who has always loved her fellow doctor, tries to make the best of the situation, but as the weeks go by it becomes clear that Drew only came back with Scott to make him see that he should leave the war zone and come back with her to America.

The verbal cat fight scenes between Warrick and Drew are the best part of the film. The people of the village being herded into the mountain caves during air raids; the fight near the end between the invaders and the mountain fighters and villagers, is handled very well.

Despite the "A" list performers, this was considered a "B" film for the lower half of a double bill in the war years. As a preteen who first saw this the year it came out, I remember the Sat. matinee kids cheering for the good guys and booing the baddies. Watch it for a look at the past. 7/10