CTVA
The Classic TV Archive - US Adventure series
China Smith (1952)  -   The New Adventures of China Smith (1954)
China Smith (1952)
 Episode Guide  compiled by The Classic TV Archive-
with contributions by:
Mike Nevins, Jim Brent,  John King,  JoeGaudio,   Rina Fox
references:
TV Guide / Library of Congress (telnet://locis.loc.gov)
Internet Movie Database (https://us.imdb.com)
UCLA Film and Television Archive / Writers Guild of America (wga)
-----------------------------
CHINA SMITH (1952) (eps 1-26)
-----------------------------
Produced by Bernard Tabakin
Filmed on location in Mexico and at
Hollywood Center Studios (1952)
PSI TV Release (1952)
 for
First-Run Syndication

US Adventure series 1952  26 episodes x 30 min bw
Starring
Dan Duryea
as China Smith
recurring cast:
Myrna Dell as Shira, the Empress (1952)
Douglass Dumbrille as Inspector Hobson (1952)
*
Clarence Lung as various characters
Ted Hecht as various characters
Nestor Paiva as various characters
Frances Fong as various characters

Premise:
Adventures of China Smith, an opportunist American adventurer living
in Singapore, who's services were available to the highest bidder.

Writers include: Robert C. Dennis
Directors include: Arthur Peirson

 The series returned  as -  The New Adventures of China Smith (1954)

################# China Smith ################
############## Season 1 1952 ###############
##############################################
26 episodes - listed in Alphabetical Order

#1.1 China Smith: THE BAMBOO COFFIN [verified -MN]
(filmed 1952) (a PSI TV Release)
China Smith - from The Nostalgia Merchant
D: Arthur Pierson
S: Robert C. Dennis
Starring: Dan Duryea (as China Smith)
Guest Cast:
Douglass Dumbrille .... Inspector Hobson (recurring)
Rita Moreno ........... Mariaman
Ben Wright ............ Morley
Charles Evans ......... Gresham
Aram Katcher .......... Kolo
Phillip Tonge ......... Chopman
Synopsis 1:
While searching for a missing convict, China Smith encounters a planter, a
beautiful woman with a secret, and murder. [MN]
Synopsis 2: [15Apr57 Madison, WI]
While in search of a missing convict China Smith becomes involved with a murder
and a beautiful girl with a secret. [JB]

#1.2 China Smith: CELESTIAL PEBBLES
(filmed 1952)
D:
S:
Synopsis 1:
China Smith is asked to sell back a fabulous diamond necklace to an insurance company
but learns that at the time of the offer the necklace had not yet been stolen. [MN]
Synopsis 2: [10Oct56 Rock Island, IL]
China Smith is asked to sell an almost priceless diamond necklace back to an insurance
company but finds that the time of the offer the necklace had not yet been stolen. [JB]

#1.3 China Smith: THE CORPSE WITH THE PURPLE EAR
(filmed 1952)
D:
S:
Synopsis 1:
A British rubber planter is murdered after asking China Smith to investigate an
earlier attempt on his life. Smith's only clue is that his client had complained constantly about an earache. [MN]
Synopsis 2: [23Jul53 Cleveland, OH]
A doctor boy-friend and a perpetual earache in the wife of the murdered are clues enough for China Smith. [JB]
Synopsis 3: [31Dec56 NYC]
A British rubber planter hires China Smith. [JK]
Synopsis 4: [01Feb58 St. Joseph, MO]
A British Rubber planter hires China Smith to investigate a mysterious attempt that has been made on his life. [JB]

#1.4 China Smith: CRUISE TO COLOMBO [verified -MN]
(filmed 1952)
D: Arthur Pierson
S: Lindsay Hardy
Starring: Dan Duryea (as China Smith)
Guest Cast:
Douglass Dumbrille .... Inspector Hobson (recurring)
Joy Hodges ............ Dolores Barry
Louis Jean Heydt ...... Burton Lambert
Lane Nakano ........... Chow Lee
Guy Kingsford ......... Maxwell
Gil Herman ............ Sgt. Withers
Jimmy Fairfax ......... Higgins
Synopsis 1:
China Smith is asked to help a visitor to Singapore disappear, supposedly for the
sake of love. But he soon finds himself in the middle of a double double-cross. [MN]
Synopsis 2: [22Oct56 Altoona, PA]
China Smith is asked to help a visitor to Singapore disappear from the face of the earth. [JB]

#1.5 China Smith: CURSE OF THE RIVER GODS
(filmed 1952)
D: S:
Synopsis 1:
After saving a man from drowning, China Smith runs into an old Chinese superstition
which requires him to become the guardian of the man he rescued. [MN]
Synopsis 2: [10May55 Altoona, PA]
When China Smith saves a man from drowning, he runs into an old Chinese superstition. [JK/JB]

#1.6 China Smith: DEVIL-IN-THE-GODOWN [verified -MN]
(filmed 1952) (a PSI release)
Produced by Bernard Tabakin
Written by Robert C. Dennis
Directed by Edward Mann
Starring: Dan Duryea (as China Smith)
Guest Cast:
Myrna Dell ............ Shira (recurring)
Douglass Dumbrille .... Inspector Hobson (recurring)
Marjorie Lord ......... Ruth Cotton
Clarence E. Lung ......... Han
Peter Mamakos ......... Constantine
Charles Lung .......... Ho-Kow
Lucien Prival.[JK]
Synopsis 1:
While investigating the murder of a Singapore newspaperman, China Smith encounters
a brotherhood of assassins and an arson-for-hire ring. [MN]
Synopsis 2: [31Oct56 Rock Island, IL]
Trailing a missing newspaperman involves China Smith in a murder, a series of
fires and a group of killers who are hard to outwit. [JB/JG]

#1.7 China Smith: DYNASTY OF THE DEAD
(filmed 1952)
D:
S:
Synopsis 1:
China Smith trails the killer of a cafe singer named Orchid who was
the latest in a long series of murder victims. [MN]
Synopsis 2: [12Apr57 Chicago, IL]
China Smith takes up the trail of the killer of a café singer. [JB]

#1.8 China Smith: ESPIONAGE EXPRESS
(filmed 1952)
D:
S:
Synopsis 1:
Aboard a train carrying concealed gold, China Smith meets a small boy who can't
speak English and soon has to contend with smuggling, espionage and murder. [MN]
Synopsis 2: [10Jun53 NYC]
China boards a train carrying concealed gold and encounters murder and
espionage while on his way to a meeting with an intelligence agent. [JB]

#1.9 China Smith: HIGH SEA [verified -MN]
(filmed 1952)
Written by Robert C. Dennis
Directed by Arthur Pierson
Starring: Dan Duryea (as China Smith)
Guest Cast:
Marta Roth ............ Alma Rosa Perez
Myrna Dell ............ Shira (recurring)
Douglass Dumbrille .... Inspector Hobson (recurring)
Clarence Lung ......... Ping Lien
Ted Hecht ............. Jose Perez
Nestor Paiva .......... John Crane
Synopsis 1:
While trying to clear a Chinese gambler who's accused of throwing a white
passenger off the deck of the S.S. Calebar, China Smith encounters a dancer, her
knife-throwing husband, and a ship's officer with a secret. [MN]
Synopsis 2: [23Sep53 NYC]
China goes out to a boat to assist Ping Lien of Honolulu who is suspected who is
 having assisted a mysterious fellow passenger over the rail in high seas. [JB]
Synopsis 3: [06Aug54 Philadelphia, PA]
China goes out on a pilot boat to board the "SS Calebar" and
lends assistance to one Ping Lien of Honolulu, suspected of having
assisted a mysterious passenger named, John Crane, over the rail. [JB]
Synopsis 4: [16Nov57 St. Joseph, MO]
China boards the SS Calebar to help a friend and encounters a dancer,
her knife-throwing husband and a ship’s officer who knows more than he says. [JB]

#1.10 China Smith: THE JADE TRAP
(filmed 1952)
D:
S:
Synopsis 1:
China Smith steals a necklace in order to clear an innocent friend of a murder
charge but the plot thickens when an underworld organization interferes. [MN]
Synopsis 2: [03Jan57 Rock Island, IL]
China Smith becomes a jewel thief in an attempt to clear a friend
of a framed murderer. [JB]

#1.11 China Smith: JUNGLE DRAGON [verified -MN]
D: Arthur Pierson
S: Robert C. Dennis
Starring: Dan Duryea (as China Smith)
Guest Cast:
Myrna Dell .......... Shira (recurring)
Carmelita Molina .... June Chon
Marilyn Gorman ...... Pamela Edgely
Nestor Paiva ........ Lo Seng
Ted Hecht ........... Bank Manager
Clarence Lung ....... Hospital Attendant
Synopsis:
After the black sheep of a conservative British family is banished to Malaya,
the young man's fiancee asks China Smith to find him. [MN]

#1.12 China Smith: THE KAPRIELIAN CIPHER [verified -MN]
(filmed 1952) (PSI release)
Produced by Bernard Tabakin/ Associate Producer Augustin P. Delgado
Written by Robert C. Dennis
Directed by Arthur Pierson
Starring: Dan Duryea (as China Smith)
Guest Cast:
Myrna Dell ............ Shira (recurring)
Douglass Dumbrille .... Inspector Hobson (recurring)
Nestor Paiva .......... Mr. Rashid/Max Kaprielian
Clarence Lung ......... Napoleon Revar
Jean Wilkes ........... Marchetta St. John
Ted Hecht ............. Col. Joliffe
Synopsis 1:
China Smith tries to unravel the secret of the recently murdered man who was known
to some as an explorer, to others as a humanitarian and to a few as a criminal. [MN]
Synopsis 2: [08Jul53 NYC]
A man of mystery, criminal, explorer, humanitarian, is killed under
strange circumstances. [JK]
Synopsis 3: [09Sep55 Topeka, KS]
When China tries to compile a dossier on a fabulous Max Kaprielien, he
finds that this many-sided man is surrounded by an air of mystery. [JB]

#1.13 China Smith: KILLER IN THE KAMPONG
(filmed 1952)
D:
S:
Synopsis 1:
China Smith turns up a few surprises when he goes into the jungle to negotiate with
Kai Yee, who's reported to be the fiercest bandit in Malaya. [MN]
Synopsis 2: [14Nov53 NYC]
China tangles with the most vicious bandit, the most beautiful woman in all Malaya. [JB]
Synospsis 3: [14May56 Hannibal, MO]
China Smith is sent into the jungle to reason with a bandit. [JB]

#1.14 China Smith: KRIS OF DEATH
(filmed 1952)
D:
S:
Synopsis 1:
While investigating the murder of a British colonel suspected of betraying military
secrets, China Smith encounters a deadly Malay kris, some "good luck" spirit money
and a beautiful blonde. [MN]
Synopsis 2; [19Dec56 Rock Island, IL]
While investigating a British colonel, Smith encounters a murder, a Malay kris and a beautiful blonde. [JB]

#1.15 China Smith: MOON FLOWER
(filmed 1952)
D:
S:
Synopsis 1:
China Smith becomes involved in a kidnapping after his friend Kwong gives
him his lovely daughter as repayment for a loan. [MN]
Synopsis 2: [27Nov52 Chicago, IL]
China gives an old friend enough money to pay his bills, the grateful
Chinese insists that he accept his pretty young daughter "Moon Flower"
in return. [JB]
Synopsis 3: [20Aug54 Philadelphia, PA]
When China gives an old friend, Kwong enough money to pay his bills,
the grateful Chinese insists that China accept his pretty young
daughter, Moon Flower, in return. This results in a kidnapping case. [JB]

#1.16 China Smith: MY SHIP HAS A GOLDEN KEEL
(filmed 1952)
D:
S:
Synopsis 1:
Hired to retrieve a woman's belongings from the yacht of the millionaire husband she's
leaving, China Smith finds several suitcases full of smuggled gold. [MN]
Synopsis 2: [19Aug53 NYC]
A wealthy woman hires China to get her belongings from the yacht of her husband
whom she has just left. [JB]

#1.17 China Smith: PAGODA IN THE JUNGLE [verified -MN]
(filmed 1952)
S: Robert C. Dennis
D: Arthur Pierson
Starring: Dan Duryea (as China Smith)
Guest Cast:
Myrna Dell ............ Shira (recurring)
Richard Hale .......... Chang Po
Walter Coy ............ Andre Gissen
Ralph Dumke ........... Papa Norgren
Harold Fong ........... Laundry Man
Synopsis:
On a trek with two Europeans in search of an old monk's jungle shrine which supposedly
houses a treasure, China Smith discovers that the treasure is more dangerous than money. [MN]
Synopsis 2: [23Apr54 Philadelphia, PA]
Two westerners hire China Smith as protection on their trip to a hidden shrine
in the jungle where they plan to steal a buried fortune. [JB]
Synopsis 3:
China is the unwitting protector of shysters planning to steal a treasure. [RF]

#1.18 China Smith: THE PHANTOM SAMPAN
(filmed 1952)
D: Arthur Pierson
S:
Synopsis 1:
Wu Chin, wealthy old director of the South Asiatic Export Company, hires China Smith
to find and buy off a mysterious blackmailer who calls himself "The Collector". [MN]
Synopsis 2; [21Dec56 St. Joseph, MO]
China Smith and Shira are hired by the wealthy old director of an export company to
find and buy off a blackmailer known only as "The Collector". [JB]

#1.19 China Smith: PORT OF THIEVES
(filmed 1952)
D:
S:
Synopsis 1:
China Smith finds one ransom note too many while trailing the men who kidnapped
the daughter of a San Francisco art dealer. [MN]
Synopsis 2: [15May54 Cincinnati, OH] [21Dec54 Cincinnati, OH]
China Smith, aided by Jasmine, a lovely taxi-dancer, is hired to track down the
kidnappers of the daughter of a San Francisco art dealer, but finds one ransom note too many. [JB/JK]

#1.20 China Smith: SHANGHAI CLIPPER [verified -MN]
(filmed 1952)(a PSI TV Release)
D: Robert Aldrich
S: Robert C. Dennis
Starring: Dan Duryea (as China Smith)
Guest Cast:
Douglass Dumbrille .... Inspector Hobson (recurring)
Marian Carr ........... Anya Karenski
Marc Krah ............. Mr. Pilok
Marya Marco ........... Miss Soong
Lewis Russell ......... Ratcliffe
John Deering .......... Hexter
Synopsis 1:
A mining company hires Smith to search Singapore for the map of a fabulous oil discovery which
 vanished when the geological engineer carrying it mysteriously fell out of an airplane. [MN]
Synopsis 2: [01Dec57 Waterbury, CT]
China Smith is hired to find the map of a fabulous oil discovery which disappears. [JB]

#1.21 China Smith: STRAIGHT SETTLEMENT [verified -MN]
(filmed 1952) (a PSI TV Release)
D: Robert Aldrich
Screenplay by Lindsay Hardy, based on an original story by Robert C. Dennis
Starring: Dan Duryea (as China Smith)
Guest Cast:
Myrna Dell ............ Shira (recurring)
Douglass Dumbrille .... Inspector Hobson (recurring)
Paul Guilfoyle ........ Sing Ho
Susan Alexander ....... Maria Torres
Clarence Lung ......... Johnny Fong
Gil Herman ............ Sgt. Withers
Lucien Prival ......... Krantz
Keith Hitchcock ....... Peters
Synopsis 1:
Suspected of having stolen a shipment of drugs that could save a Singapore
magnate's life, China Smith employs a colossal bluff to save his own skin. [MN]
Synopsis 2: [13Sep54 NYC]
China Smith is suspected of stealing the shipment of drugs which would have
saved a Singapore magnate's life. [JB]

#1.22 China Smith: THE TANAKA ARCHIVE
(filmed 1952)
D:
S:
Synopsis 1:
A soldier's diary, left for safekeeping with a waterfront priest, leads China Smith
to a lady named Sago, a soul-saving ex-boxer and a mysterious rug merchant. [MN/JB]
Synopsis 2: [06Jun56 Topeka, KS] [14Jan57 Waterloo, IA]
A soldier’s diary, left for safekeeping with a waterfront padre, leads China
Smith to meet a lady named Sago, a soul-saving ex-pug and a mysterious rug merchant. [JB]

#1.23 China Smith: THE WONDROUS FUNERAL OF SERGEANT KO
(filmed 1952)
D:
S:
Synopsis 1:
China Smith is hired to rescue General Yang, a provincial governor who is being
held under house arrest so strict that even his daughter can't see him. [MN]
Synopsis 2: [27Aug56 Windsor, Ontario]
General Yang, once the governor of a Chinese Province, is now a prisoner in Singapore. [JB]

#1.24 China Smith: WREATH OF POPPIES
(filmed 1952)
S: ?
D: ?
Synopsis 1:
China Smith becomes involved with the nightclub singer Mala while investigating a
series a deaths among the users of Tiger Tonic herbs. [MN]
Synopsis 2: [30Oct52 Chicago, IL]
A man is murdered and his brief case containing $125,000 is missingin "Wreath of Poppies." [JB]

#1.25 China Smith: THE YEAR OF THE PHOENIX [verified -MN]
(filmed 1952)
D: Arthur Pierson
S: Robert C. Dennis
Starring: Dan Duryea (as China Smith)
Guest Cast:
Myrna Dell ............ Shira (recurring)
Douglass Dumbrille .... Inspector Hobson (recurring)
Jack Raine ............ Brasher
Louise Arthur ......... Phoebe
Claudia Barrett ....... Geraldine
Renny McEvoy .......... Dominic Yahn
Dayton Lummis ......... Neville
Synopsis:
Hired to find a man missing from his London family for seven years, China Smith
encounters a rum-soaked derelict and wonders if this could be the man. [MN]
 
#1.26 China Smith: ZORANA THE DESTROYER
(filmed 1952)
D:
S:
Synopsis 1:
China Smith narrowly escapes death in a concussion chamber after being hired by a
young woman to investigate Zorana, a fraudulent seer who has taken large sums of
money from the woman's wealthy aunt. [MN]
Synopsis 2: [03Dec55 NYC]
China investigates Zorana, a seer with murder on his mind. [JB]
Synopsis 3: [16Aug57]
China Smith comes within a hair's breadth of losing his life while investigating
Zorana, a seer who has been getting large sums of money from the wealthy aunt of Smith's client. [JB]

  The series returned  as -  The New Adventures of China Smith (1954)

################ China Smith #################
################# the end ##################
##############################################

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