China Girl

China Girl is about an American newsreel cameraman, Johnny Williams (George Montgomery). The Japanese military in a Japanese occupied part of China detained him and hire him to photograph the building of the Burma Road. Johnny steals what he believes are press credentials- instead, they are the military orders for Pearl Harbor.

While they are holding him, he manages to escape with the help of a Canadian soldier (Victor Mclaglen) and his friend (Lynn Bari).

Later, he meets an old friend who wants him to join the Flying Tigers. But Johnny is out for Johnny, offering several people 50 percent of what he will make for Burma Road footage if they will stake him and buy him equipment, as the Japanese confiscated his.

Unaware that the Japanese are desperate to have their orders returned and are after him, he falls head over heels for gorgeous Haoli (Gene Tierney) who is half-Chinese. They fall in love, but she is committed to helping her father (Philip Ahn) with his school in Kunming. Learning the Japanese are en route to attack Kunming, Johnny rushes to save her.

Somewhat convoluted plot, though the end is very powerful. Gene Tierney doesn't have much to do but look ravishing until the film is nearly over.

George Montgomery was one handsome hunk of man, a former prizefighter with a magnificent physique, an architect, and known for the beautiful bronze busts he made. One small problem. He couldn't act his way out of a phone booth.

This role called for him to be cynical. Well, every line came out of the side of his mouth, no variation. Not that the dialogue, peppered with babes, dames, all the slang of the day helped.

Directed by Henry Hathaway, and very routine.