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Operation Petticoat

Play trailer Poster for Operation Petticoat 1959 2h 4m Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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81% Tomatometer 21 Reviews 81% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
Lieutenant Commander Matt Sherman (Cary Grant) is in charge of the submarine "Sea Tiger," which was badly damaged at a Philippine shipyard by a Japanese air raid. Seeking to make sail before an oncoming invasion, Sherman enlists the help of newly transferred Lieutenant Nick Holden (Tony Curtis) to use his talents as a con artist to procure the needed supplies. Once they're underway, Sherman evacuates a group of beautiful nurses, but can't find anyone who will take them off his hands.
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Operation Petticoat

Critics Reviews

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Don Druker Chicago Reader 05/15/2012
Blake Edwards directs with his customary wit, breeziness, and acute sense of pacing. Go to Full Review Variety Staff Variety 07/07/2010
Operation Petticoat has no more weight than a sackful of feathers, but it has a lot of laughs. Go to Full Review Geoff Andrew Time Out 01/26/2006
Not unpleasant, but the situations (including the inevitable invasion of women aboard the sub) are horribly familiar, and the dialogue none too inspired. Go to Full Review Nicholas Bell IONCINEMA.com 08/27/2020
2/5
Woefully dated. Go to Full Review Sean Mulvihill FanboyNation.com 10/30/2018
3/5
While I think Operation Petticoat has a number of issues - it's too long, overstuffed, and rather buttoned down - I still respect as it a piece of cinematic history. Go to Full Review Nathan Rabin The Dissolve 08/04/2014
3/5
There's a distinct lack of forward momentum plaguing Operation Petticoat, which takes forever to get going, and even then only moves in fits and starts, plot-wise. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Matt L @Mattliptak 5d Classic World War II comedy that still holds up thanks to sharp writing, impeccable timing, and a cast that clearly understands how to balance humor with character. Cary Grant is effortlessly charming and quick-witted, delivering snappy one-liners with the ease only he could manage. Tony Curtis is equally strong, playing off Grant with great energy and comic precision. What elevates the film is its lighthearted yet affectionate take on Navy submarine life during the war. The humor never feels mean-spirited; instead, it finds comedy in chaos, improvisation, and human quirks under pressure. It’s also fun spotting then–little-known actors like Gavin MacLeod and Marion Ross, who add depth and personality to the ensemble.It’s a smart, breezy comedy that respects its setting while having a great deal of fun with it. A thoroughly enjoyable classic that remains easy to recommend, especially for fans of old Hollywood charm and naval comedies done right. See more Martin B Jan 5 For my money one of the best WWII comedies ever made. Only thing that made no sense was the casting. Dina Merrill well into her thirties playing a character that was in her twenties not believable. Joan O'Brien in her early 20's playing a well endowed ditzy character made no sense for the much older captain. Then again it was a comedy about a pink boat so logic not required. Want to forget your troubles, watch Operation Petticoat. See more alan g @agenser Dec 26 One if the best war comedies ever made. Very risque for its time. Now very mild. Cary Grant and Tony Curtis very good. See more Joey W Jul 17 It's an okay movie from 1959 See more Andy B 06/04/2024 Hollywood doesn't have the talent to make them like this anymore! See more Michael W @mawilps 04/26/2023 This classic comedy was pretty good. Cary Grant, Tony Curtis, Joan O'Brien, Dina Merrill, Gene Evans, and the rest of the cast did a pretty good job in this movie. The plot of the movie was kind of entertaining and humorous. It's a funny movie about fighting in WW2 on a submarine. If you haven't seen this movie yet, you may enjoy it. That's my opinion. See more Read all reviews
Operation Petticoat

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Cast & Crew

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Blake Edwards

Director

Cary Grant

Lt. Cmdr. Matt T. Sherman

Tony Curtis

Lt. JG Nicholas Holden

Dina Merrill

Lt. Barbara Duran RN

Joan O'Brien

Lt. Dolores Crandall RN

Arthur O'Connell

Chief Mechinist's Mate Sam Tostin

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Operation Petticoat

Operation Petticoat (1959) Operation Petticoat (1959) Operation Petticoat (1959) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Lieutenant Commander Matt Sherman (Cary Grant) is in charge of the submarine "Sea Tiger," which was badly damaged at a Philippine shipyard by a Japanese air raid. Seeking to make sail before an oncoming invasion, Sherman enlists the help of newly transferred Lieutenant Nick Holden (Tony Curtis) to use his talents as a con artist to procure the needed supplies. Once they're underway, Sherman evacuates a group of beautiful nurses, but can't find anyone who will take them off his hands.
Director
Blake Edwards
Producer
Robert Arthur
Screenwriter
Stanley Shapiro, Maurice Richlin
Distributor
Universal Pictures
Production Co
Universal/Universal Int
Genre
Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 5, 1959, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 6, 2018
Runtime
2h 4m
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