Mopoers!
Off topic but maybe not. Tonight at 8:00 PM EST (5:00 Pacific)
Turner Classics is airing Frank Capra's jaw-dropping and all together amazing
early drama, THE BITTER TEA OF GENERAL YEN. I bring this up as many on
this site have commented on their fondness for Barbara Stanwyck and for my
money, this one is hard to beat. It is NOT available on DVD and rarely airs
at a decent time.
BITTER TEA opened RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL and BOMBED, pulled I believe
after one week and quickly replaced with another Capra great "LADY FOR A DAY"
(talk about back-up!!). Anyway TEA's subject of miscegenation (or the
"mongrelization of the races" as it was known in the South) was still very
much taboo in 1933 and probably not what the Depression era masses were
looking for as an entertaining trip to the movies in spite of showing in the
greatest Temple To Cinema ever created. (Stanwyck also starred in BABY FACE
the same year, talk about an actress with "cajones")
It took nearly 60 years for the film to be re-discovered and now has a
hard-core legion of devotees. If you have ever wondered why the lobby
cards cost $800 and up for such an obscure title watching it will explain a
lot. Film costars Nils Asther (in amazing make-up) as General Yen, a
Chinese Warlord who plays his character so deliciously you will think of Anton
Walbrook in the RED SHOES or other such career defining performances.
Film is very much of the time (xenophobic, well yes) but it melodrama
at its best and is stunningly art directed and photographed. I promise,
you will not be disappointed giving this film a look. LOST HORIZON follows
so for a Monday evening you could not ask for a better double bill.
freeman fisher
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