Introduction
China Beach is an American dramatic television series set at an evacuation hospital during the Vietnam War.
The title refers to My Khe beach in the city of Đà Nẵng, Vietnam, nicknamed “China Beach” in English by American and Australian soldiers during the Vietnam War. The ABC TV drama aired for four seasons, from 1988 to 1991.
Outline
Wayloo Marie makes Dr. Richard the focus of her first “Unsung Heroes” segment, focusing on his volunteer work treating orphaned children in a nearby village. Anticipating an upcoming trip to Japan to repair his marriage, Dr. Richard is instead stunned with divorce papers. Mai informs Beckett she can no longer work at the Jet Set as her village chief requests a fee to allow her free movement. Beckett puts aside his familial reservations about gambling to win the $200 she needs by playing ping pong for cash. Frankie moderates an essay-writing competition on the radio at Boonie’s request. Richard is again pressed into service treating villagers, but a child’s case of bubonic plague proves too much for him to handle. The next day, he returns with medicine to begin treating the villagers, but he is unable to save a young girl suffering from a congenital heart defect. McMurphy tries to come to terms with Dodger’s impending departure to Japan. She accompanies him to Da Nang Air Force Base, where she finds his pistol and he expresses his fears at languishing in a US VA hospital. Before Dodger leaves, McMurphy makes him a deal: she’ll hold onto his pistol while he’s in Japan, but she urges him to leave war behind and not look back.
China Beach Series
You can find a full index and overview of China Beach here.
Production & Filming Details
- Release Date: 08 February 1989.
- Running Time: 46-47 minutes.
- Rating: Unknown.
- Country: US.
- Language: English.
Video Link
