China Beach

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	English
No. of seasons	4
No. of episodes	61 + 1 Pilot Movie (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producer	John Sacret Young
Producers	Geno Escarrega; Mimi Leder; John Wells; Fred Gerber; Carol Flint; John Lugar; Lydia Woodward;
Running time	47–48 minutes
Production companies	Sacret, Inc.; Warner Bros. Television;
Distributor	Warner Bros. Television Distribution
Release
Original network	ABC
Original release	April 27, 1988 –; July 22, 1991

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.

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

Season 3 China Beach cast (left to right): Ned Vaughn (Jeff Hyers), Ricki Lake (Holly Pelegrino), Michael Boatman (Sam Beckett), Dana Delany (Nurse Colleen McMurphy), Brian Wimmer (Boonie Lanier), Marg Helgenberger (K.C.), Jeff Kober (Dodger), Nancy Giles (Frankie Bunsen), Concetta Tomei (Lila Garreau), Robert Picardo (Dr. Richard)

Dana Delany as 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. Delany won two Emmy awards for the role.
Nan Woods as 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.
Michael Boatman as 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.
Marg Helgenberger as 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.
Robert Picardo as 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.
Tim Ryan as Captain Bartholomew "Natch" Austen, USAF (regular in season 1; recurring in season 2) – a jet fighter pilot and McMurphy's love interest.
Concetta Tomei as Major Lila Garreau, USA – a World War II veteran, she is the career-Army commanding officer of China Beach.
Brian Wimmer as Corporal Boonwell "Boonie" Lanier, USMC – the friendly China Beach lifeguard and manager of the Jet Set Club. 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.
Jeff Kober as 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.
Chloe Webb as Laurette Barber (season 1) – a USO singer from Paoli, Pennsylvania, she is determined to make it big.
Megan Gallagher as Airman Wayloo Marie Holmes, USAF (season 2) – a reporter for the Armed Services Network, she is seeking a career as a world-famous reporter.
Nancy Giles as Private Franklin "Frankie" Bunsen, USA (seasons 2–4) – a female private, she was assigned to the China Beach motor pool.
Ned Vaughn as 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.
Troy Evans as 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.
Ricki Lake as Holly Pelegrino (season 3) – she is a sharp-witted Red Cross volunteer.
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

Awards and nominations for *China Beach*
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			John Frank Levey	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
1990		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
1989			John Sacret Young and William Broyles Jr. (for episode "Lost and Found")	Nominated
1990			John Wells (for episode "Dear China Beach")	Nominated
1990			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 (for episode "The World")	Won
		Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series	Chloe Webb (for episode "Chao Ong")	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 (for episodes "The Unquiet Earth", "Skin Deep", "Nightfall")	Won
		Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series	Ruby Dee (for episode "Skylark")	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 (for episode "Fever")	Nominated
		Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series	Marg Helgenberger (for episodes "History, Part II - She Sells More Than Sea Shells", "100 Klicks Out")	Nominated
		Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series	Mimi Leder (for episode "You, Babe")	Nominated
		Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series	Penny Fuller (for episode "Fever")	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 (for episode "Through and Through")	Won
		Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series	Marg Helgenberger (for episodes "100 Klicks Out", "The Always Goodbye")	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
1990			John Wells (for episode "X-Mas Chnbch VN '67")	Nominated
1991			John Sacret Young (for episode "Souvenirs")	Won
1991			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
1992			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]

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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[1] 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)

[2] 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."

[3] "Sailors, Commander Tell of Race Fights (AP)". The Milwaukee Journal. October 24, 1968. Retrieved July 25, 2012.

[4] 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.

[5] Bragg, Rebecca. "China Beach now secure with beer and sandwiches". Toronto Star. Đà Nẵng, Vietnam.

[6] Van Devanter, Lynda (1983). Home Before Morning: The Story of an Army Nurse in Vietnam. ISBN 9781558492981.

[7] "In Memoriam: Lynda Van Devanter". Illyria.com. Archived from the original on December 24, 2013. Retrieved December 23, 2013.

[Collection-8] 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.

[9] Keck, William (September 23, 2013). "Keck's Exclusives: Back To China Beach". TV Guide.

[10] MacMINN, ALEENE (September 24, 1991). "Television". LA Times.

[11] Elavsky, Cindy (September 15, 2013). "Celebrity Extra". Downriver Sunday Times. King Features. Retrieved December 5, 2013.

[12] 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.

[13] ttp://vvaveteran.org/35-6/35-6_oneill.html