The movie Operation Petticoat is a 1959 American comedy film directed by Blake Edwards and starring Cary Grant and Tony Curtis. It is set during World War II and follows the story of a U.S. Navy submarine, the USS Sea Tiger, which is tasked with a mission to transport a group of stranded nurses from an island. The plot revolves around the crew’s humorous and often chaotic efforts to carry out this mission, all while dealing with a damaged submarine and various misadventures.
Plot Summary
In the film, Captain Holden (Cary Grant) is the commander of the USS Sea Tiger, which is severely damaged in a battle. The submarine is supposed to return to port for repairs but instead ends up transporting a group of nurses from an island in the Philippines. Along the way, the crew faces a series of comedic challenges, including trying to keep the submarine afloat, dealing with the nurses’ presence on board, and navigating military and bureaucratic obstacles. The film is filled with light-hearted humor and wartime satire, focusing on the absurdities of the situation and the contrast between military discipline and the chaos caused by the nurses.
Themes and Tone
Operation Petticoat is primarily a comedy, with a blend of slapstick humor and witty dialogue. It touches on themes like camaraderie, the absurdities of war, and the role of women in wartime, though it does so in a light-hearted and often exaggerated manner. The tone of the film is far from serious, with the ridiculousness of the crew’s situations driving the humor.
Key Characters and Cast
– Captain Nicholas Holden (Cary Grant): The charming but often flustered commander of the submarine, trying to keep order in a situation that is anything but orderly.
– Lieutenant (JG) Nicholas Holden (Tony Curtis): The more laid-back, yet capable, officer who helps with the mission and adds a level of light-heartedness to the crew’s dynamic.
– Lt. (JG) Doris “Dorie” Winthrop (Joan O’Brien): One of the nurses who ends up aboard the submarine, adding both complication and romance to the story.
– Various other crew members and nurses who play roles in the humorous situations that arise during the mission.
Fun Facts
1. The film was a commercial success and has become a classic in the comedy genre.
2. Cary Grant’s performance as the stiff-upper-lip Navy officer who is continuously thwarted by the situation is one of his most memorable comedic roles.
3. Operation Petticoat was one of the earlier films to feature the use of military personnel in comedic situations during World War II, predating later films that would explore similar themes.
Conclusion
Operation Petticoat is a light-hearted and humorous film that portrays the absurdities of wartime through the eyes of a submarine crew, making it a fun watch for fans of classic comedy and wartime films.
