Chin-Ching gets lost in Shanghai and is befriended by American playboy Tommy Randall. She falls asleep in his car which winds up on a ship headed for America. Susan Parker, also on the ship, marries Randall to give Chin-Ching a family.
Acting
Shirley Temple at peak dimple power, speaking actual Mandarin
Costume
Alice Faye's nautical chic wardrobe — absolutely unhinged for sea travel
Score
Catchy original songs you'll hum for days
Director
William A. Seiter
Shirley Temple
Barbara 'Ching-Ching' Stewart
Robert Young
Tommy Randall
Alice Faye
Susan Parker
Eugene Pallette
The Colonel
Helen Westley
Mrs. Hope
Arthur Treacher
Atkins
Allan Lane
Richard Hope
J. Edward Bromberg
Judge Booth
Astrid Allwyn
Kay Swift
Robert Greig
Captain
Jayne Regan
Dora Day
Julius Tannen
First Mate
Willie Fung
Chang
Philip Ahn
Sun Lo
Paul McVey
Second Mate
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Temple learned Mandarin phonetically for her scenes; her pronunciation reportedly impressed native speakers on set.
The film's portrayal of Shanghai reflects 1930s Hollywood Orientalism — exotic backdrop for American characters' redemption arcs.
US
