China Doll

This film is reminiscent of The Good Earth in the sense that it sticks very close to actual Chinese mores and customs. Li Hua Li gives a sensitive performance as the romantic interest of Victor Mature. The movie is unexpectedly a two-hanky affair, and not just another GI Joe in Asia adventure.

The film highlights the Flying Tigers, a military unit that struck petrifying fear in the hearts of the Japanese occupation forces within China during WW 2. There is very little jingoism or gung-ho dialog, as normally associated with Hollywood productions. This is because this is not a Hollywood production, but a well-made independent film. Kudos to the producers of this film and the screenwriters who made this film unforgettable. Some might say it is a bit corny and sentimental, but those sentiments are quickly dashed after the film's plot begins to unravel. You can keep Gigi, the winner of the Best film of 1958. This film is much better.