China Beach
China Beach is an American dramatic television series set at an evacuation hospital during the Vietnam War. The title refers to My Khe[1] beach in the city of Đà Nẵng, Vietnam, nicknamed "China Beach" in English by American and Australian soldiers during the Vietnam War.[2][3][4][5] The ABC TV drama aired for four seasons, from 1988 to 1991.
| China Beach | |
|---|---|
 Series Complete Collection Set cover | |
| Genre | Medical drama War |
| Created by | William Broyles Jr. John Sacret Young |
| Starring | Dana Delany Nan Woods Michael Boatman Marg Helgenberger Robert Picardo Tim Ryan Concetta Tomei Brian Wimmer Jeff Kober Chloe Webb Megan Gallagher Nancy Giles Ned Vaughn Troy Evans Ricki Lake |
| Theme music composer | Holland-Dozier-Holland |
| Opening theme | "Reflections" Performed by Diana Ross & the Supremes |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language(s) | English |
| No. of seasons | 4 |
| No. of episodes | 61 + 1 Pilot Movie (list of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Executive producer(s) | John Sacret Young |
| Producer(s) | Geno Escarrega Mimi Leder John Wells Fred Gerber Carol Flint John Lugar Lydia Woodward |
| Running time | 47–48 minutes |
| Production company(s) | Sacret, Inc. Warner Bros. Television |
| Distributor | Warner Bros. Television Distribution |
| Release | |
| Original network | ABC |
| Original release | April 27, 1988 – July 22, 1991 |
Overview
Created by William Broyles Jr. and John Sacret Young, the series looks at the Vietnam War from unique perspectives: those of the women, military personnel and civilians who were present during the conflict. John Wells took over most of the series beginning with the second season and many of the show's cast members appeared later on the Wells-produced series ER.
Set in a Vietnam locale nicknamed "Bac My An Beach", at the 510th Evacuation Hospital and R&R (the "Five-and-Dime" Rest & Recreation) facility, the series' cast of characters includes US Army doctors and nurses, officers, soldiers, Red Cross volunteers and civilian personnel (American, French, and Vietnamese). The series also features the experiences of the characters when they return to the United States, either on leave or at the end of their tours of duty. The show does not shy away from showing the brutality of war; it provides a very gritty view of the experience and its aftermath.
The show is based on the book Home Before Morning (1983) written by the former U.S. Army Nurse Lynda Van Devanter.[6] The show's character Nurse Colleen McMurphy roughly follows Van Devanter's experiences as a nurse in Vietnam. The book takes the reader from Van Devanter's wish to serve her country through the adventure she thought her deployment to Vietnam would be, her culture shock upon returning to "the States", and her struggles with PTSD. The show was cancelled before it could fully address McMurphy's PTSD issues. Van Devanter died in 2002.[7]
Cast
- First Lieutenant (later Captain) Colleen McMurphy, USA – a Catholic girl from Lawrence, Kansas and army nurse with the 510th Evac Hospital in Vietnam during the late 1960s, she has five brothers; only four of them ever appear on camera, Brian, Brendan, Conor, and Daniel. Daniel was the youngest and a hippie who lived in a commune in 1967. A composite of various real-life Vietnam War nurses, the character illustrates their courage, kindness, and sacrifices during the war, as well as the severe emotional scarring of noncombatant personnel during and following military service; several episodes feature the veterans in their own words, intercut with the storyline. She was portrayed by Dana Delany, who won two Emmy awards for the role.
- Cherry White (seasons 1–2) – a naive Red Cross volunteer ("doughnut dolly") from Iowa, she comes to China Beach to search for her brother Rick, a Marine Infantryman, who was reported MIA after the Battle of Khe Sanh. She dies midway through the second season during the Tet Offensive in January 1968. She was portrayed by Nan Woods.
- SP4 Samuel Beckett, USA – a draftee and a preacher's son from North Carolina, he works in the Graves Registration unit at China Beach. His job makes him unpopular with most of the other servicemen. He was portrayed by Michael Boatman.
- Karen Charlene "K.C." Koloski – a cynical part-time prostitute and civilian volunteer, she comes to China Beach seeking to make her own wealth and fortune. She was portrayed by Marg Helgenberger.
- Captain Dick Richard, USA – a head surgeon and womanizer dealing with being drafted into Army and away from his family, he worked as an OB-GYN when he was a civilian. He was portrayed by Robert Picardo.
- Captain Bartholomew "Natch" Austen, USAF (regular in season 1; recurring in season 2) – a jet fighter pilot and McMurphy's love interest. He was portrayed by Tim Ryan.
- Major Lila Garreau, USA – a World War II veteran, she is the career-Army commanding officer of China Beach. She was portrayed by Concetta Tomei.
- Corporal Boonwell "Boonie" Lanier, USMC – the friendly China Beach lifeguard and manager of the Jet Set Club. He was portrayed by Brian Wimmer. Wimmer's character was originally named Lanier Boonwell and was referred to as such during the first season, although he was ultimately called "Boonie" throughout the entire run of the show.
- Staff Sergeant Evan "Dodger" Winslow, USMC – a moody Marine Force Reconnaissance operative, he serves and fights in the jungle mainly to keep other servicemen in his platoon alive. Nicknamed for his ability to dodge injury and death, he is also known as a "quiet sort" who generally keeps to himself. He constantly displays the "thousand yard stare", a dull blank facial expression common among shell-shocked soldiers who have seen too much death and destruction in battle. He is a friend of Boonie, McMurphy, and Cherry. He was portrayed by Jeff Kober.
- Laurette Barber (season 1) – a USO singer from Paoli, Pennsylvania, she is determined to make it big. She was portrayed by Chloe Webb.
- Airman Wayloo Marie Holmes, USAF (season 2) – a reporter for the Armed Services Network, she is seeking a career as a world-famous reporter. She was portrayed by Megan Gallagher.
- Private Franklin "Frankie" Bunsen, USA (seasons 2–4) – a female private, she was assigned to the China Beach motor pool. She was portrayed by Nancy Giles.
- Corporal Jeff Hyers, USA (season 3; guest appearances in seasons 2 and 4) – a good-natured combat medic from Georgia, he is killed in action midway through the third season during a routine patrol. He was portrayed by Ned Vaughn.
- Master Sergeant Bob Pepper, USA (seasons 3–4) – a World War II veteran, he is a driver, mechanic, and non-commissioned officer in charge of the motor pool. He becomes romantically involved with Lila Garreau, whom he later marries. He was portrayed by Troy Evans.
- Holly Pelegrino (season 3) – she is a sharp-witted Red Cross volunteer. She was portrayed by Ricki Lake.
- Note: Nancy Sinatra made a guest appearance in the first-season finale, re-creating concerts she performed for U.S. troops in 1966 and 1967.
Episode list
Over four seasons from 1988 to 1991, the series aired 61 episodes and one pilot movie.
Reception
China Beach was a critically lauded, but poorly rated series. ABC persisted with the show for four seasons, but the final season was put on hiatus in fall 1990 and did not air its finale until July 22, 1991. As a result of the scheduling, Dana Delany was eligible for (and ultimately won) a Best Actress Emmy Award in the fall of 1992, a year after the series broadcast its final episode and over a year and a half after many of the scenes were filmed. The title sequence theme song was "Reflections" by Diana Ross & the Supremes (although several episodes instead used "We Gotta Get out of This Place" by Eric Burdon with Katrina & The Waves).[8]
Tie-in novel
John Sacret Young stated at the Paley Center, prior to the show's October 2013 release on DVD, that he had written a follow-up novel, titled Reflections, wherein Colleen, now in her 60s and recently widowed, returns to Vietnam and reconnects with the retired Dick Richards and venture capitalist K.C. Koloski. Young also hoped to adapt it into a TV movie.[9]
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Recipient | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Casting Society of America's Artios Award | Best Casting for TV, Dramatic Episodic | Phyllis Huffman and John Frank Levey | Nominated |
| 1990 | John Frank Levey | Nominated | ||
| 1991 | Nominated | |||
| 1989 | Directors Guild of America Award | Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Specials | Rod Holcomb (for the pilot episode) | Nominated |
| 1990 | Golden Globe Award | Best Television Series – Drama | Won | |
| Best Actress – Television Series Drama | Dana Delany | Nominated | ||
| 1991 | Best Television Series – Drama | Nominated | ||
| Best Actress – Television Series Drama | Dana Delany | Nominated | ||
| Best Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries or Television Film | Marg Helgenberger | Nominated | ||
| 1989 | Humanitas Prize | 60-minute Category | Patricia Green | Won |
| John Sacret Young and William Broyles Jr. (for episode "Lost and Found") | Nominated | |||
| 1990 | John Wells (for episode "Dear China Beach") | Nominated | ||
| Georgia Jeffries (for episode "How to Stay Alive in Vietnam: Part I") | Nominated | |||
| 1991 | John Wells (for episode "One Small Step") | Nominated | ||
| 1992 | 90-minute Category | John Wells, John Sacret Young, Carol Flint, and Lydia Woodward | Nominated | |
| 1988 | Motion Picture Sound Editors' Golden Reel Award | Best Sound Editing Television Pilots and Specials | Greg Stacy and Sync-Pop | Won |
| 1990 | Peabody Award | ABC Television and Sacret Inc., in association with Warner Bros. Television (for episode "Vets") | Won | |
| 1989 | People's Choice Award | Favorite New TV Dramatic Program | Won | |
| 1988 | Primetime Emmy Award | Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series | John Sacret Young (for the pilot episode) | Nominated |
| Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series | Rod Holcomb (for the pilot episode) | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Editing for a Series - Single Camera Production | Erwin Dumbrille and Christopher Nelson (for the pilot episode) | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Costuming for a Series | Paula Lynn Kaatz and Darryl Levine (for the pilot episode) | Won | ||
| 1989 | Outstanding Drama Series | John Sacret Young, John Wells, Patricia Green, Geno Escarrega, Christopher Nelson, and Fred Gerber | Nominated | |
| Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series | Dana Delany | Won | ||
| Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series | Chloe Webb | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Editing for a Series - Single Camera Production | Randy Jon Morgan (for episode "Vets") | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Achievement in Costuming for a Series | Paula Lynn Kaatz and Darryl Levine (for episode "The World: Part II") | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Drama Series | Tim Cooney, Don Cahn, Artie Torgersen, and James G. Williams (for episode "Vets") | Nominated | ||
| 1990 | Outstanding Drama Series | John Sacret Young, John Wells, Georgia Jeffries, Mimi Leder, Fred Gerber, and Geno Escarrega | Nominated | |
| Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series | Dana Delany | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series | Marg Helgenberger | Won | ||
| Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series | Ruby Dee | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Editing for a Series - Single Camera Production | Susan B. Browdy (for episode "The Unquiet Earth") | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Costuming for a Series | Paula Lynn Kaatz and Le Dawson (for episode "Magic") | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Drama Series | Lowell Harris, Don Cahn, Artie Torgersen, and Jim Cook (for episode "F.N.G.") | Won | ||
| 1991 | Outstanding Drama Series | John Sacret Young, John Wells, Mimi Leder, Lydia Woodward, Carol Flint, and Geno Escarrega | Nominated | |
| Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series | Dana Delany | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series | Marg Helgenberger | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series | Mimi Leder (for episode "You, Babe") | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series | Penny Fuller | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Costuming for a Series | Paula Lynn Kaatz and Le Dawson (for episode "Juice") | Nominated | ||
| 1992 | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series | Dana Delany | Won | |
| Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series | Marg Helgenberger | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series | John Wells, John Sacret Young, Carol Flint, and Lydia Woodward (for episode "Hello Goodbye") | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series | Mimi Leder (for episode "Rewind") | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Costuming for a Series | Paula Lynn Kaatz and Thomas S. Dawson (for episode "Hello Goodbye") | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Drama Series | Lowell Harris, Don Cahn, Artie Torgersen, and Jim Cook (for episode "Hello Goodbye") | Nominated | ||
| 1989 | Television Critics Association Award | Outstanding Achievement in Drama | Nominated | |
| 1989 | Viewers for Quality Television Award | Best Quality Drama Series | Won | |
| Best Actress in a Quality Drama Series | Dana Delany | Won | ||
| Best Supporting Actress in a Quality Drama Series | Marg Helgenberger | Won | ||
| Best Writing in a Quality Drama Series | Won | |||
| 1990 | Best Quality Drama Series | Won | ||
| Best Actress in a Quality Drama Series | Dana Delany | Won | ||
| Best Supporting Actor in a Quality Drama Series | Robert Picardo | Nominated | ||
| Best Supporting Actress in a Quality Drama Series | Marg Helgenberger | Won | ||
| Best Writing in a Quality Drama Series | Won | |||
| Best Directing in a Quality Drama Series | Won | |||
| 1991 | Best Quality Drama Series | Won | ||
| Best Actress in a Quality Drama Series | Dana Delany | Won | ||
| Best Supporting Actress in a Quality Drama Series | Marg Helgenberger | Won | ||
| Best Writing in a Quality Drama Series | Won | |||
| Founder's Award | Robert Picardo | Won | ||
| 1989 | Writers Guild of America Award | Episodic Drama | William Broyles Jr. (for episode "Home") | Nominated |
| 1990 | Alan Brennert (for episode "Where the Boys Are") | Nominated | ||
| John Wells (for episode "X-Mas Chnbch VN '67") | Nominated | |||
| 1991 | John Sacret Young (for episode "Souvenirs") | Won | ||
| Martin M. Goldstein, Neal Baer, and Dottie Dartland (for episode "Warriors") | Nominated | |||
| 1992 | Paris Qualles, John Sacret Young, John Wells, Carol Flint, and Lydia Woodward (for episode "Escape") | Nominated | ||
| John Wells, John Sacret Young, Carol Flint, and Lydia Woodward (for episode "Hello Goodbye") | Nominated |
Syndication
China Beach debuted in rerun syndication on the women-focused Lifetime, on November 4, 1991.[10]
Home media
Before being released on DVD, the series' only home video release was the 2-hour pilot movie on Warner Home Video, in 1990 (cat no. 11971).
In December 2012, it was announced that the series, among the most-requested television shows not available through either VHS or DVD following its broadcast run, would be issued on DVD in a box set (including new interviews with cast members and various bonus features) and released on April 15, 2013, through StarVista Entertainment (affiliated with TimeLife). The collection includes 302 songs heard during the series.[8] To mark the show's 25th anniversary, a 21-disc collector's set was released October 1, 2013.[11]
Music rights long delayed the release on DVD. More than 250 songs were licensed; seventeen could not be, and were either deleted or replaced.[12]
Further reading
The show is based on a 1983 memoir by Linda van Devanter, reprinted in 2001:
- Van Devanter, Lynda; Morgan, Christopher (1983). Home before morning: the story of an Army nurse in Vietnam. New York: Beaufort Books. ISBN 9781558492981. LCCN 82020651.
Two additional memoirs by medical personnel stationed at the actual China Beach:
- Walsh, Patricia L (2009). River City: a nurse's year in Vietnam memoir. Boulder, CO: Toa Press. ISBN 9780982298909. LCCN 2011281929.
- Pitlyk, Paul J. (2012). Blood on China Beach: my story as a brain surgeon in Vietnam. Bloomington, IN: iUniverse, Inc. ISBN 9781475959451. LCCN 2012920798.
Fiction:
- The Healer's War,[13] 1989 Nebula Award-winning novel of magical realism by Elizabeth Ann Scarborough, R.N, five-year U.S. Army veteran, based upon her year at My Khe Beach, Da Nang, nicknamed China Beach.
References
- Johnson, Kay. (March 23, 2003) (March 23, 2003). "Detour: China Beach, Vietnam". Time.com. Retrieved August 7, 2010.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
- Ha, Thu. "Da nang beach is introduced as "China Beach"". VietNamNet. July 23, 2012. Retrieved July 25, 2012.
The VNAT's vice chief, Mr. Nguyen Manh Cuong, said that it is unacceptable and harmful for the image of Da nang's tourism when some Vietnamese travel firms introduce the beach of Da nang as "China Beach."
- "Sailors, Commander Tell of Race Fights (AP)". The Milwaukee Journal. October 24, 1968. Retrieved July 25, 2012.
- Ives, Mike (October 30, 2011). "Vietnam's Da Nang a Surf City in Asia". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 25, 2012.
We started our days at Non Nuoc Beach, which U.S. and Australian military personnel called China Beach during the Vietnam War.
- Bragg, Rebecca. "China Beach now secure with beer and sandwiches". Toronto Star. Đà Nẵng, Vietnam.
- Van Devanter, Lynda (1983). Home Before Morning: The Story of an Army Nurse in Vietnam. ISBN 9781558492981.
- "In Memoriam: Lynda Van Devanter". Illyria.com. Archived from the original on December 24, 2013. Retrieved December 23, 2013.
- Lambert, David (February 26, 2012). "China Beach - New 'Complete Collection' Press Release has Music List, Finalized Box!". TV Shows on DVD. Archived from the original on March 1, 2013. Retrieved March 2, 2013.
- Keck, William (September 23, 2013). "Keck's Exclusives: Back To China Beach". TV Guide.
- MacMINN, ALEENE (September 24, 1991). "Television". LA Times.
- Elavsky, Cindy (September 15, 2013). "Celebrity Extra". Downriver Sunday Times. King Features. Retrieved December 5, 2013.
- Heldenfels, Rich (February 6, 2013). "More About "China Beach" DVD". Akron Beacon Journal Online. The HeldenFiles Online. Archived from the original on June 21, 2013. Retrieved January 27, 2014.
- http://vvaveteran.org/35-6/35-6_oneill.html
External links
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