Tag: Adam Kennedy

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The Californians

1957-1959

Set during the San Francisco gold rush of the 1850s, this American Western television series follows the adventures of the local vigilante committee trying to keep law and order.

Maria and Adam Kennedy on the set of The Californians

Maria played a role in one episode of the show’s first season alongside Adam Kennedy in the lead role of Irish newspaperman Dion Patrick, who helps the vigilantes. Due to sagging ratings the second season introduced Richard Coogan as sheriff come marshal Matthew Wayne, ultimately leading to the departure of Adam Kennedy and others from the show. Still the show was not renewed for a third season.

The show aired on NBC and features an incredible corny title song matching some of the equally corny acting. But, all in all, for its time it actually seems to have taken some relatively progressive stances, including the episode Maria appeared in.

Episodes

S01 E17 – China Doll (1958)

Dion Patrick and the vigilantes are investigating human trafficking in San Francisco’s China Town. While making inroads with the community Dion wins Mei Soong, played by Maria, from a dubious Chinese business man and must attempt to reunite her with her true love and find the villain behind it all.
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S01 E17 – China Doll (1958)

The Californians

DirectorByron Haskin
ProducerFelix Feist
Production CompanyCalifornian Film Enterprises, Desilu Productions
AiredJanuary 21st, 1958 on NBC
CastAdam Kennedy (Dion Patrick), Seán McClory (Jack McGivern), Nan Leslie, Keye Luke, John Anderson, Maria Tsien (Mei Soong), Kam Tong, Richard Cutting
Maria McClay as Mei Soong is being placed as a bet during a high stakes poker game.

Dion Patrick (Adam Kennedy) and the vigilantes are investigating human trafficking in San Francisco’s China Town. While making inroads with the community Dion wins Mei Soong, played by Maria, from a dubious Chinese business man.

In the end he manages to return her to her true love, his Chinese guide during his investigation, and, with help from both, takes down the true villain: the white English teacher in a school for Chinese children.

Maria McClay as Mei Soong finds herself in a confusing situation while being kept safe at Dion’s home.

Maria didn’t get to many lines in this role but had plenty of screen time. While there are still plenty of racial stereotypes in play in this show at least it was surprisingly low on Yellow Face and had a comparably high number of non-white actors in Asian roles for its time.

Scenes Featuring Maria

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Abbe Airs It: Maria Tsien In The Californians Tonight.

Oakland Tribune, Oakland, California, USA, January 21st, 1958

by James Abbe

Deep in the column James Abbe highlights the imminent broadcast of a new episode of The Californians titled China Doll, featuring Adam Kennedy and Maria as a Chinese slave girl. Apparently “they” say that Maria is the Chinese equivalent of a what’s known as a “cupcake”.

21 Jan 1958, Tue Oakland Tribune (Oakland, California) Newspapers.com

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Exotic Actress on The Californians

Various Papers, January, 1958

(Unknown Author)

A brief blurb highlighting the imminent broadcast of a new episode of The Californians titled China Doll, featuring Maria and Adam Kennedy.

Exotic Actress

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[Miami Herald] A brief blurb highlighting the imminent broadcast of a new episode of The…
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Exotic

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[Sunday News] A brief blurb highlighting the imminent broadcast of a new episode of The…
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Maria McClay