The New Adventures of China Smith

"The New Adventures of China Smith" was a black and white television series and a brew steeped in the nostalgia of the early 1950's. It was conjured into existence by director Gene Fowler, Jr. who had a long career in farming the furrows of video fiction counting "The Waltons" among his many successes. He was joined by the writer Robert C. Dennis who was another TV stalwart who concocted many of TV's best loved detective shows from "Kojack" to "Mannix" and many others as well. These two along with many of the character actors of the era including Dan Duryea returned as the titular character, China Smith.

This go round featured more adventures in the not so mysterious Orient, usually placed on the island of Singapore. This second series was filmed in San Francisco which has the serviceable background of one of the largest Chinatowns in North America. Easier to go there than the actual place, obviously.

The villains, while the usual rapscallions of these semi-authentic climes, also featured encounters with verminous Communists, the ultra nasties of the 1950's.

Seldom did China Smith smudge his white linen suit, but he provided a few thrills for the as yet non-jaded television audience in those halcyon days of American detective TV shows.