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 Cruising has come a long way since 1935 when Clark Gable, Jean Harlow and Rosalind Russell sailed from Hong Kong to Singapore on a ship crewed by drunks and incompetents in China Seas. The attire of the passengers is elegant, the ship's amenities appear adequate, but when the ship is tossed by a raging typhoon, no stopgaps are in place to keep the piano from rolling around the salon to everyone's peril or the ship's equipment from nearly falling overboard.
The ever debonair Captain Alan Gaskell (Gable) risks life and limb to keep the ship afloat during the typhoon. Then he is tortured by pirates seeking the gold that is supposedly on board.
Jean Harlow & Wallace Berry
As if typhoons, pirates, and incompetents aren't enough of a challenge for our intrepid captain, he has to deal with two beautiful women vying for his attentions. Glamorous China Doll, (Harlow), who has been his mistress, wants to hold on to him. But she goes about it all wrong when jealousy leads her to drink too much, behave badly, then join forces with the scoundrel (Wallace Beery) who is in cahoots with the pirates. 
Rosalind Russell & Clark Gable
The source of China Doll's problems is the lovely Sybill (Russell), an English widow from Gaskell's past. When Gaskell seems about to be lured into life as an English country squire, China Doll can't handle her feelings of betrayal and does some betraying of her own.
Hattie McDaniel
The predictable ending is no secret. Nevertheless, the film journey is a pleasant way for viewers to pass some time. Not rated, the film is suitable for all audiences, although it will not hold the interest of youngsters.
Special Features
Travel Talk short Cherry Blossom Time in Japan - a vintage feature that gives a glimpse into the pre-World War II beauty of Japan. The narration talks about the spirit of the Japanese during the weeks the cherry trees bloom, interesting because, in retrospect, 21 Century viewers know that all this serenity will soon end with the war.
€¢ Girl's Best Years a musical short that stars Mary Duran and John Warburton in a piece about a playwright who keeps getting sued for breach of promise by former girlfriends. He hires a female journalist to keep him out of trouble with predictable results.
Directors: Reginald Le Borg and Tay Garnett
Writers: Jules Furthman and James Kevin McGuinness (Screenplay)
Cast: Mary Doran, John Warburton, Barnett Parker, Sheila Terry, Clarence Kolb
Rating: Not Rated
Classic Movie Guide Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
DVD Release Date: 6/20/2006
Run Time: 87 minutes
Studio: Warner Brothers
Format: Black & White, Full Frame
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