Frank Capra directs a captivating 1933 love story between a Chinese warlord and a Christian missionary. Known as “The Bitter Tea of General Yen,” this film, unlike Capra’s usual classics, deals with social issues, religious skepticism, violence, and an unexpected interracial romance. This movie stands out because it’s so different from Capra’s later works and because it’s a love story that was ahead of its time.
If you haven’t seen this hidden gem yet, you should definitely watch “The Bitter Tea of General Yen” soon. It’s one of the first movies to showcase an interracial romance.
The Story of “The Bitter Tea of General Yen” (1933)
“The Bitter Tea of General Yen” stars Barbara Stanwyck, Nils Asther, and Walter Connolly. The movie is based on Grace Zaring Stone’s 1930 novel and follows a young American missionary named Megan, who is engaged to another missionary working in Shanghai. When Megan arrives in Shanghai, she gets caught up in the Chinese Civil War while trying to rescue orphans. Separated from her fiancé, she is saved by a dangerous Chinese warlord, General Yen.
The plot develops like a Beauty and the Beast story. General Yen quickly falls for Megan, despite her biases against Chinese culture and Eastern beliefs. He invites her to dinner each night while keeping her confined in a luxurious room. Megan also befriends Mah-Li, one of General Yen’s lovers who is facing execution for treason.
As the story progresses, Megan gradually feels drawn to General Yen, despite his dangerous reputation. General Yen, a classic Byronic Hero, prioritizes his love for Megan over everything else. The question remains whether his love will lead to his downfall and whether Megan will realize her feelings for him before it’s too late.
A Shocking Love Story
This movie is truly captivating. If you haven’t watched a pre-Code film before, this is a great one to start with. The content might surprise you, especially since pre-Code films have a different feel compared to those made just a year later. There are moments in this film that might leave you jaw-dropped.
While the movie isn’t explicit, don’t expect a completely wholesome story. Megan has an erotic dream about General Yen, which includes a passionate kiss. She envisions him as a seductive, vampiric figure. Additionally, the film contains some violent and disturbing imagery.
What makes “The Bitter Tea of General Yen” particularly shocking is the love story itself. At the time, interracial romances were rare and socially frowned upon. Even though General Yen is played by a Swedish actor (Nils Asther), the film’s message was scandalous for its era. We’re encouraged to root for a love story between a Chinese warlord and a white Christian missionary.
A Reflection of Its Time…Sort Of
While the movie was groundbreaking in some aspects, it’s not without its flaws, including racial stereotypes and uncomfortable dialogue. Despite these issues, the film’s strange, seductive charm is undeniable, and it does offer some positive messages.
Fun Facts About “The Bitter Tea of General Yen”
The film has an interesting history. It was the first movie to be shown at Radio City Music Hall when it premiered on January 6, 1933. Despite this, it was a commercial failure at the time, and only in the 21st century has it started to receive critical acclaim. Barbara Stanwyck attributed its initial failure to racial prejudices and was surprised by the negative audience reactions.
Acting and Production
Apart from the unique love story, “The Bitter Tea of General Yen” is also visually stunning. Frank Capra uses his artistic filmmaking style to create beautiful scenes, even with a modest budget. The set designs are gorgeous, the costumes are stunning, and the war scenes are ambitious.
Stanwyck and Asther share an undeniable on-screen chemistry that’s hard to ignore.
Overall Thoughts
If you’re interested in the evolution of interracial romances in film, “The Bitter Tea of General Yen” is essential viewing. It’s a fascinating movie with remarkable performances from a young Barbara Stanwyck and the underrated Nils Asther. Frank Capra, one of the greatest filmmakers of all time, truly created something special with this film. It’s a romance story far ahead of its time, making it a shocking and intriguing watch.
Content Note: The movie is unrated but would likely be PG-13 for scenes of violence, violent images in the background, some sensuality, and other adult themes.
Where to Watch: Available to buy on DVD. It also airs on TCM occasionally, so keep an eye on the listings.
Have you seen “The Bitter Tea of General Yen”? What are your thoughts on this interracial romance movie by Frank Capra? Feel free to share your opinions in the comments.
