This was clearly a rather high budget film for 1933, and interestingly was the first film shown at the new Radio City Music Hall. Directed by Frank Capra, it is a pre-code film, so there are some risqué scenes...well done. Its main distinction, however, is that it was one of the first movies to deal with interracial sexual attraction. Unfortunately, it was before its time...it was a box office failure, although in recent years it has been uniformly praised.
Barbara Stanwyck and Gavin Gordon (a missionary) are preparing to marry in China. But, the Chinese Civil War intervenes when they rush off, just before their wedding, to rescue some orphans. They become separated (great crowd scenes) and Stanwyck is rescued...or is it kidnapped...by warlord General Yen (Nils Asther, a European actor). Stanwyck awakens to find herself in Yen's sumptuous summer palace. She witnesses a mass execution ordered by Yen, writes letters to her fiancé that are never delivered, and because she is thought to be dead, he holds her against her will...well, sort of, because she has erotic dreams about General Yen (wonderfully creative fantasy sequence). Stanwyck meets Yen's financial adviser -- American Walter Connolly. It turns out, however, that the general's concubine is actually a spy, and she is sentenced to death. Stanwyck pleads for her life, and Yen agrees to spare her in order to keep Stanwyck. The general's army deserts him, but Stanwyck goes to him willingly as Yen prepares to drink poisoned tea (hence the title). And, what happens??? You'll have to watch the film to find out. It's simply too stunning to tell you.
There are 3 primary actors of interest here. The primary star is Barbara Stanwyck, who is superb. I've recently watched several of her early films, and I have been very impressed. Although I had heard the name, I was not familiar with Nils Asther, and after watching him here, where he successfully plays an Asian man, I hope to see more of his work. Walter Connolly -- Yen's Western adviser -- usually plays comedies, but this is a serious role for him, and he plays it very well.
Highly recommended, and you may even want it on your DVD shelf.
Barbara Stanwyck and Gavin Gordon (a missionary) are preparing to marry in China. But, the Chinese Civil War intervenes when they rush off, just before their wedding, to rescue some orphans. They become separated (great crowd scenes) and Stanwyck is rescued...or is it kidnapped...by warlord General Yen (Nils Asther, a European actor). Stanwyck awakens to find herself in Yen's sumptuous summer palace. She witnesses a mass execution ordered by Yen, writes letters to her fiancé that are never delivered, and because she is thought to be dead, he holds her against her will...well, sort of, because she has erotic dreams about General Yen (wonderfully creative fantasy sequence). Stanwyck meets Yen's financial adviser -- American Walter Connolly. It turns out, however, that the general's concubine is actually a spy, and she is sentenced to death. Stanwyck pleads for her life, and Yen agrees to spare her in order to keep Stanwyck. The general's army deserts him, but Stanwyck goes to him willingly as Yen prepares to drink poisoned tea (hence the title). And, what happens??? You'll have to watch the film to find out. It's simply too stunning to tell you.
There are 3 primary actors of interest here. The primary star is Barbara Stanwyck, who is superb. I've recently watched several of her early films, and I have been very impressed. Although I had heard the name, I was not familiar with Nils Asther, and after watching him here, where he successfully plays an Asian man, I hope to see more of his work. Walter Connolly -- Yen's Western adviser -- usually plays comedies, but this is a serious role for him, and he plays it very well.
Highly recommended, and you may even want it on your DVD shelf.