'...to save 80 white people'
The text intro wants us to identify with their plight and uses these words...
Discuss.
Conway makes a point on the plane lamenting that the news in the west will cover their escape, but not the plight of "the natives." He shakes his head that it is a real shame.
I was imprssed that Capra used actual Asians throughout, rather than Hollywood versions of them. (Except of course 'Chang.' Not sure if he was supposed to be Asian or not.
Because i'm older than dirt, the term "That's white of you" never had racial connotations. Though today, nobody would say it simply because it uses a term that sounds like it does.
"That's white of you" meant that you were doing a good turn, the right thing, a favor.
The reference is you're a "white hat" or a "black hat" which got its connotation from movies. The good guys in films had the white hats, the baddies wore dark clothing and a black hat, so we kids at the Saturday picture shows would know whom to boo and whom to cheer.
As for "white people" just another term used freely 80 years ago when there was no such thing as PC or racial politics of the type we have now. It was the times.
A film buff who wants to spend time watching loads of old classics means this will happen more often than not.
Heck, remember the name of the squadron leader's dog in "The Dam Busters?" I think it's the last word said in the film! ha