Watch Operation Petticoat

Operation Petticoat is a classic American comedy film released in 1959. Directed by Blake Edwards, the film stars Hollywood legends Cary Grant and Tony Curtis, along with Joan O'Brien. Set during World War II, the movie follows the story of Lieutenant Commander Matt T. Sherman (Grant) and Lieutenant JG Nicholas Holden (Curtis), two officers from the US Navy who are stranded in the Philippines after their submarine, USS Sea Tiger, is severely damaged during a Japanese air raid.

Desperate to return home, Sherman and Holden come up with a plan to repair their damaged submarine and continue on their mission. However, the only available parts happen to be paint and some pink uniforms intended for nurses. This leads to an unusual and creative solution to get their submarine operational once again. They paint the submarine pink and use the women's underwear as makeshift filters for the engine, which helps in its return to action.

As they start to make their way back to the United States, Sherman and Holden face numerous challenges along the way. They make an unusual discovery when they come across a group of female nurses who need to be rescued, including Lieutenant Barbara Duran (O'Brien). The crew of the USS Sea Tiger, now consisting of both men and women, begin to work together to navigate the challenges presented by their gender-diverse crew and the unexpected setbacks on their journey.

The movie deals with themes of friendship, teamwork, perseverance, and humor in the face of adversity. The plot is a perfect blend of humor, action, and romance. The main focus of the story is on the relationship between the two main characters, Sherman and Holden, with the former being a stickler for rules while the latter is more of a free spirit who likes to bend the rules.

Throughout the movie, there are various comedic scenes and witty dialogue between the two main characters, as well as the rest of the crew. They face all the fun-to-watch obstacles that occur along the way, such as trying to outrun a Japanese battleship, having to maneuver through a minefield, and even selling the pink uniforms off as ladies' lingerie to raise money for needed repairs.

The chemistry between the actors is fantastic, with Cary Grant and Tony Curtis delivering some of their best performances of their career. Grant's portrayal of the uptight and by-the-book Sherman contrasts well with Curtis' portrayal of the laid-back and rogue Holden.

Joan O'Brien also gives a commendable performance as the headstrong nurse, Barbara Duran. Her character's presence provided a much-needed balance to the otherwise male-dominated cast.

Blake Edwards' direction is on point throughout, with excellent pacing and superb cinematography. The film's score is also delightfully charming, creating a sense of nostalgia for the era in which the movie is set.

Overall, Operation Petticoat is an incredibly enjoyable movie that can be watched over and over again. It is a tribute to the spirit of the men and women who served during World War II and showcases the strength of teamwork, even in the most challenging of circumstances. Cary Grant, Tony Curtis, and Joan O'Brien deliver career-best performances and create a classic movie that will be cherished forever.

Operation Petticoat is a 1959 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 17 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.2.