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Operation Petticoat
1959 124 min United States of America PG 12+
★7.6
Comedy, War, Romance
Director: Blake Edwards
Trailers
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EN
Description
A World War II submarine commander finds himself stuck with a damaged sub, a con-man executive officer, and a group of army nurses.
US Gross:
$23.3M
Worldwide:
$6.8M
Starring
Cary Grant
Actor
Tony Curtis
Actor
Joan O'Brien
Actor
Awards
Golden Globe 1960
— Best Actor (Comedy or Musical)
Golden Globe 1960
— Best Picture (Comedy)
Academy Awards 1960
— Best Original Screenplay
Key opinion
Operation Petticoat is a lighthearted WWII military comedy that balances a straight-man performance from Cary Grant with the chaotic, resourceful antics of Tony Curtis. While critics admire the film's entertainment value and energetic tone, opinions divide on its trivialization of wartime realities and its preference for low-brow humor over satire.
| Acting | Cary Grant provides a grounded, authoritative anchor to the film, offering a strong contrast to the lighter comedic tone. | |
| Acting | The chemistry between Grant’s disciplined captain and Curtis’s scheming, resourceful purser provides the core narrative engine for the film. | |
| Direction | Director Blake Edwards displays a consistent command of comedic pacing, helping the film achieve its status as a light, breezy adventure. | |
| Humor | The script leans heavily into absurd, low-brow gags like the pink submarine, which pleases audiences seeking light entertainment but frustrates those hoping for deeper satire. | |
| Theme | The film's lighthearted treatment of wartime themes and the Pearl Harbor backdrop is viewed either as harmless, escapist fun or as an overly trivializing portrayal of historical conflict. |