Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) presents "CHINA SEAS" (1935) (87 min/B&W) -- Starring: Clark Gable, Jean Harlow, Wallace Beery, Lewis Stone & Rosalind Russell
Directed by Tay Garnett
Dynamic Alan Gaskell (Clark Gable) captains a ship bound from Hong Kong to Singapore. Gaskell tries to turn over a new leaf from his hard-drinking lifestyle after becoming attached to a refined high class English lady, Sybil Barclay (Rosalind Russell). His former girlfriend Dolly (Jean Harlow) is extremely jealous of the budding relationship and tries hard to get the Captain back. He is unimpressed with her loud, obnoxious, and uncivilized manners, even though she is extremely beautiful. Wallace First Mate, Jamesy MacArdle (Wallace Beery) is in league with a gang of pirates who plan to steal the gold shipment being carried in the hold of the steamer. Dolly tumbles to MacArdle's secret, but is unable to convince Gaskell.
Based on a novel by Crosbie Garstin. Action/adventure director and South Seas enthusiast Tay Garnet - A great adventure story told with verve by an outstanding cast in top form!
China Seas proved that the recently imposed Hollywood production code had little if any effect on the popularity of MGM sex symbols Clark Gable and Jean Harlow.
BIOS:
1. Tay Garnett [Director]
Date of Birth: 13 June 1894 - Los Angeles, California
Date of Death: 3 October 1977 - Sawtelle, California
2. Clark Gable
Date of birth: 1 February 1901 - Cadiz, Ohio,
Date of death: 16 November 1960 - Los Angeles, California
3. Jean Harlow [aka: Harlean Harlow Carpenter]
Date of Birth: 3 March 1911 - Kansas City, Missouri
Date of Death: 7 June 1937 - Los Angeles, California
4. Wallace Beery
Date of Birth: 1 April 1885 - Kansas City, Missouri
Date of Death: 15 April 1949 - Beverly Hills, California
5. Lewis Stone
Date of Birth: 15 November 1879 - Worcester, Massachusetts
Date of Death: 12 September 1953 - Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, California
6. Rosalind Russell
Date of Birth: 4 June 1907 - Waterbury, Connecticut
Date of Death: 28 November 1976 - Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, California
7. C. Aubrey Smith [aka: Charles Aubrey Smith]
Date of Birth: 21 July 1863 - London, England, UK
Date of Death: 20 December 1948 - Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, California
Mr. Jim's Ratings:
Quality of Picture & Sound: 4 Stars
Performance: 4 Stars
Story & Screenplay: 4 Stars
Overall: 4 Stars [Original Music, Cinematography & Film Editing]
Total Time: 87 min on DVD ~ Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) ~ (June 20, 2006)
