Search - Operation Petticoat on DVD

One of the best

David Rasquinha | Arlington, VA USA | 06/03/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Operation Petticoat is one of those movies that makes you laugh no matter how many times you see it. The cast is led by none other than Cary Grant as the commander of a decrepit submarine, caught behind the Japanese advance in the Pacific, trying hard to sail her back to safety and repair at a US base. Grant makes a fine picture as a tough yet sentimental commanding officer. In counterpoint is Tony Curtis as a totally amoral rascal with a talent for getting things done, usually by breaking all rules. Despite their mutual dislike, the two have to work together to get the sub home and the result is a truly bizarre voyage. Curtis' expertise in scrounging supplies for the damaged sub extends to a group of stranded army nurses, who predictably create havoc on the submarine. And as the sub approaches safety, it improbably ends up as a maternity ward to the consternation of Grant and the delight of the crew. I would hate to spoil the surprises but let me say the manner of the sub reaching safety is simply hilarious. Of course, all ends well - this is a movie after all - and the right lessons are learned by all. A great movie to laugh over with some superb dialog lines for Grant in particular and a string of great one-liners all around. Highly recommended."

Operation Petticoat

JANET E. BRAYDEN | Maynard, Massachusetts | 01/13/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This movie is absolutely hysterical! I've rented it from a local video store several times.If you're in the mood for a laugh watch this. Cary Grant as the straightlaced, straight faced commander of the Sea Tiger a submarine badly damaged by Japanese bombs. He tells his Commander that the Sea Tiger deserves a better record than launched July 1941, sank December 1941, no missions, no prizes etc.Tony Curtis is the Admiral's aid who is assigned to the Sea Tiger, apparently after angering the Admiral. He and one of the Admiral's wives won a rhumba contest the year before. He shows up in his dress whites for duty aboard a combat ship with a native carrying his golf clubs.He may not have combat experience and he may look silly wearing his dress whites when he reports for duty aboard a combat vessel badly in need of repairs, but no one can out scavange him.When the Sea Tiger needs equipment and supplies, it's Lt. Holden that they turn to. He even steals the Commander's wall.He funds poker games to gain more supplies and equipment.When a group of Army nurses joins the crew out of necessity, things get even livlier. The best line in the whole movie comes from Cary Grant. It seems that one of the nurses is extremely klutzy and she shoots off the one torpedo they have which they intend to sink a tanker ship sitting at anchor. Instead of the tanker they sink a truck.Arthur O'Connell is the engine room chief who hates having females aboard ship, especially when one of them puts her girdle to use in place of a spring or group of springs they need.No bad language. No violence to speak of but definitely a lot of laughs."