Review of China Seas (1935) by Monty H — 10 Jun 2009

China Seas (1935).

Gruff and tough (and hung-over), Captain Alan Gaskell (played by Clark Gable) climbs aboard his ship at Hong Kong headed for Singapore. He finds his boy toy, Dolly "China Doll" Portland (played by Jean Harlow) is also onboard. He's trying to play it cool and not let this distract him from his duties, but he's surprised to find Sybil Barclay (played by a young Rosalind Russell), a very refined, old flame from his distant past is on board too.

He ran away from the temptation of Sybil, his commission with the British Navy, and his "proper lifestyle" because she was a married woman. Now that Sybil is widowed, he wants to rekindle his love with her to the disappointment of Dolly.

As if that's not enough, Malaysian pirates are trying to steal a gold shipment that's hidden on board, and how about throwing in a typhoon for good measure? Wallace Beery plays Jamesy MacArdle, who has got his eye on Dolly, as well as being in league with the pirates for the gold.

There's tons of other characters in this movie too. My favorites are C. Aubrey Smith as Sir Guy Wilmering, the bushy eyebrowed and mustached British Taipan who owns the shipping fleet, and William Henry (remember him from "The Thin Man"?) as Junior officer Rockwell, the bumbling young officer who looks up to Captain Gaskell.

This DVD is bundled up with the "Clark Gable - The Signature Collection" but might be sold separately now. It's a great print, a fantastic story, and added incentive to buying this box set if you're a Clark Gable fan.