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

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

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

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Maria McClay