There's a lot about this movie that was of interest to me - Frank Capra, Barbara Stanwyck, China, and a pre-Code challenge to the prevailing taboo against miscegenation. Because it pushed this boundary, I can give the film a pass for what would ordinarily bother me a lot more, the casting of white actor Nils Asther in the title role. Apparently the concept was so offensive to audiences in 1933 that the film tanked at the box office. To me the film is watchable, but suffers from a simplistic story, few supporting characters of any interest, and a lack of chemistry between Stanwyck and Asther. The highlight was the dream sequence where Stanwyck imagines General Yen breaking down the door to assault her. She's rescued by a masked man, but finds when he takes the mask off, that he's also General Yen - and the two then kiss. Unfortunately this subconscious desire doesn't lead to the spark the film needs, and while Stanwyck has a few nice moments, it plods towards an unbelievable ending.
Review of The Bitter Tea of General Yen
