China Doll (1.3)

[Milton Collins]

[ I'd be curious if anyone knows the filming order.

quote]


I'd be very curious as well! I've always wondered how they got the scenes for the beginning clips with the credits as some of them are from as late as season 2 episodes but are used for the very first few episodes? Anyone have any thoughts on that?

[DDD]

Probably another in a series of the Q that has no A. The first Q was the ID of the actress who appeared as Mabel Dodge in The Black Orchid and now, though she is mentioned in the thread for China Doll, there is no answer for an ID for the girl in the beach shower in China Doll. Apparently she is known only to herself. So, well I suppose if we knew everything, it would be boring.

[ConchRepublican]

Just watched this again (gotta be approaching the 30th time) and one of the things that stands out to me is another one of those "little things" I think they did so well in the early seasons.

When they are in Higgins' study you can noticeably hear the clock ticking in the background. I think that does a great job creating the atmosphere of where they are in the house as well as putting across the quiet of their location.

I think those little touches added to that cinematic feel the first season had.

[eltonsean]

I voted China Doll a 7.0; "Average at Best".

I'm sure no one will agree with me on this and I'm just humorless and grouchy, as well as missing the delightful Thomas-T.C. banter, but there's one scene in this episode that annoys the hell out of me.

It's the four or five minute scene at the start when T.C. and Magnum are being extremely obnoxious while flying the middle-aged tourist couple around. T.C. in particular is annoyingly loud and behaving way out of character. What really irritates me is how he tries to terrify the couple with reckless flying and then blows them off ("If you want to know anything else, there's a guide book back there somewhere.") but then he's shown begging for their forgiveness and offering them back their money! Talk about failed attempts at comedy...

Hi little garwood, I'm new here to the forum, but i agree with you, that scene is painful to watch! T.C. is totally out of character and it's a cheesy attempt at comedy. T.C. usually takes his business very seriously and is more responsible with his customers. Perhaps this obnoxious moment was a turning point for T.C.? Maybe he learnt his lesson with this couple and from here on treats his customers better? Either way, I'm glad his character evolved into the T.C. that we all know and respect.

besides this scene, i enjoyed the rest of the episode, especially the "Hi, ho" bit. As well, this episode features a couple scenes actually filmed on Waikiki Beach, which is rare. I assume after the show became a hit, it would have been near impossible to film in such a public and crowded spot as Waikiki Beach.

Can anyone think of other episodes where the actual Waikiki Beach was featured as heavily as it was in "China Doll"?

eltonsean

[ConchRepublican]

I voted China Doll a 7.0; "Average at Best".

I'm sure no one will agree with me on this and I'm just humorless and grouchy, as well as missing the delightful Thomas-T.C. banter, but there's one scene in this episode that annoys the hell out of me.

It's the four or five minute scene at the start when T.C. and Magnum are being extremely obnoxious while flying the middle-aged tourist couple around. T.C. in particular is annoyingly loud and behaving way out of character. What really irritates me is how he tries to terrify the couple with reckless flying and then blows them off ("If you want to know anything else, there's a guide book back there somewhere.") but then he's shown begging for their forgiveness and offering them back their money! Talk about failed attempts at comedy...

Hi little garwood, I'm new here to the forum, but i agree with you, that scene is painful to watch! T.C. is totally out of character and it's a cheesy attempt at comedy. T.C. usually takes his business very seriously and is more responsible with his customers. Perhaps this obnoxious moment was a turning point for T.C.? Maybe he learnt his lesson with this couple and from here on treats his customers better? Either way, I'm glad his character evolved into the T.C. that we all know and respect.

besides this scene, i enjoyed the rest of the episode, especially the "Hi, ho" bit. As well, this episode features a couple scenes actually filmed on Waikiki Beach, which is rare. I assume after the show became a hit, it would have been near impossible to film in such a public and crowded spot as Waikiki Beach.

Can anyone think of other episodes where the actual Waikiki Beach was featured as heavily as it was in "China Doll"?

eltonsean

Hi eltonsean, welcome!

I see what you're saying about TC, but keep in mind this is the first "real" episode of the series after the pilot movie.

I agree TC'S actions seem out of character for the man we know later in the series, but I think there's an attempt throughout the timeline of the show to depict the evolution of each of the "core four". TC even goes in for a beer after they land, later in the series he's a teetotaler. I like to think of this as one of those moments, as an early businessman, where he's still figuring things out.

[Doc Ibold]

I voted China Doll a 7.0; "Average at Best".

I'm sure no one will agree with me on this and I'm just humorless and grouchy, as well as missing the delightful Thomas-T.C. banter, but there's one scene in this episode that annoys the hell out of me.

It's the four or five minute scene at the start when T.C. and Magnum are being extremely obnoxious while flying the middle-aged tourist couple around. T.C. in particular is annoyingly loud and behaving way out of character. What really irritates me is how he tries to terrify the couple with reckless flying and then blows them off ("If you want to know anything else, there's a guide book back there somewhere.") but then he's shown begging for their forgiveness and offering them back their money! Talk about failed attempts at comedy...

Hi little garwood, I'm new here to the forum, but i agree with you, that scene is painful to watch! T.C. is totally out of character and it's a cheesy attempt at comedy. T.C. usually takes his business very seriously and is more responsible with his customers. Perhaps this obnoxious moment was a turning point for T.C.? Maybe he learnt his lesson with this couple and from here on treats his customers better? Either way, I'm glad his character evolved into the T.C. that we all know and respect.

besides this scene, i enjoyed the rest of the episode, especially the "Hi, ho" bit. As well, this episode features a couple scenes actually filmed on Waikiki Beach, which is rare. I assume after the show became a hit, it would have been near impossible to film in such a public and crowded spot as Waikiki Beach.

Can anyone think of other episodes where the actual Waikiki Beach was featured as heavily as it was in "China Doll"?

eltonsean

Hi eltonsean, welcome!

I see what you're saying about TC, but keep in mind this is the first "real" episode of the series after the pilot movie.

I agree TC'S actions seem out of character for the man we know later in the series, but I think there's an attempt throughout the timeline of the show to depict the evolution of each of the "core four". TC even goes in for a beer after they land, later in the series he's a teetotaler. I like to think of this as one of those moments, as an early businessman, where he's still figuring things out.

I also think the show was trying to figure itself out as well, and I think by J.Digger Doyle they pretty much got everyone on track (which is lucky because some shows don't get Figured out till the 3rd season!

[eltonsean]

well, i'm sure glad they didn't stick with that obnoxious, irresponsible version of T.C.

[No need to know!]

Hi guys!

I just tried to watch a movie on youtube called Revenge of the Cheerleaders(1976), and i thought i recognized one asian cheerleader from Magnum P.I.

And it was Susie Elene who plays Mai Ling.

The movie wasn´t much to say the least but she and others were buttnaked(showing everything) in it for you who are interested.

No screencaps from me though.

I have always liked China Doll, and now it became even better i think

Cheers!

[eltonsean]

I just tried to watch a movie on youtube called Revenge of the Cheerleaders(1976), and i thought i recognized one asian cheerleader from Magnum P.I.

And it was Susie Elene who plays Mai Ling.

No screencaps from me though.

I grabbed screenshot for you. ya, lots boobs in the movie, including the beautiful Mai Ling's, haha. I figured it best to use a screen shot of her clothed though, just to be safe

[ConchRepublican]

I just tried to watch a movie on youtube called Revenge of the Cheerleaders(1976), and i thought i recognized one asian cheerleader from Magnum P.I.

And it was Susie Elene who plays Mai Ling.

No screencaps from me though.

I grabbed screenshot for you. ya, lots boobs in the movie, including the beautiful Mai Ling's, haha. I figured it best to use a screen shot of her clothed though, just to be safe
]

Smart move.

[eltonsean]

Smart move.

well, it was the obvious move, Not everyone likes boobs, lol.

[Doc Ibold]

Smart move.

well, it was the obvious move, Not everyone likes boobs, lol.

We do like to keep it kind of PG around here

[Primbud]

I gave this one a 6 of 10 and I liked it overall. I've always been interested in the Chinese culture so it was to my liking before even combing through it.

When Magnum called Ho a cousin in the car, he almost brakes the fourth wall as if acknowledging the possible misspeak.

I thought the bird at Uncle Han's place would say something, perhaps if this was a two-parter with a longer story, lol. I also felt that the Mai Ling actress ranged in beauty from slightly annoying bordering on unattractive to superbly attractive.

When Magnum says he had to wait. And wait. I thought it might go into more 'wait's like in the beginning of 'Casablanca'; after all, there was supposed to be a Casablanca in-joke in every one of the 22 original episodes, right?

[JKuriako]

Another of my favorite episodes, this one well TC and Magnum arguing, Magnum being suckered by Mei Ling (spelling?) the dogs chasing Magnum, Magnum antagonizing Higgins repeatedly even Rick who I at times felt was annoying was pretty amusing in this episode.

[Milton Collins]

This is a very solid episode. The Choi character introduced a great villain with lethal fighting abilities. Personally I think an ending with a one on one of Magnum against Choi would have been awesome but I doubt TM would have done too well, that guy was insanely tough and quick!

Funny to see good old Rodney Radcliffe from season 6 Old Acquaintance appearing as the sailor and even more funny to see him get knocked out after talking all big about how tough he was:) Hint hint: I hate the Rodney Radcliffe character from above mentioned episode!

These early ones are so darn good, hard to find much if anything I didn't like and gave it an 8.5. Mi Ling was a nice addition, soooo cute!