Movie Monday Reviews: Operation Petticoat

Cmdr. Sherman and Lt. Holden

Operation Petticoat (1959)

Starring: Cary Grant, Tony Curtis, Joan O’Brien, Dina Merrill, Gene Evans, Dick Sargent, Virginia Gregg, Robert F. Simon, Robert Gist, Gavin MacLeod, George Dunn, Madlyn Rhue, Marion Ross, Arthur O’Connell, and Clarence Lung

Summary

World War II is in the past, Admiral Matt Sherman (Cary Grant) is sitting aboard his former command. Reading his ship’s log, he recalls when the war had just begun and the United States Navy was looking to have as much man-power and ships out, ready to fight. Cmdr. Sherman is in command of the brand new submarine, the Sea Tiger and is looking to head out to sea. Unfortunately, a Japanese bombing attack puts that on hold, when the Sea Tiger is sunk nearly destroyed. Captain Henderson (Robert F. Simon) tells Cmdr. Sherman that the Sea Tiger is through and should be taken to the junk yard. Cmdr. Sherman insists that it’s not right to let the Sea Tiger go down without having even fired one shot. Finally convincing the Captain, Cmdr. Sherman immediately sets to work.

Fixing the Sea Tiger

Finally getting the Sea Tiger above water, they set to work with the other details. According to “the Prophet” (George Dunn), they can’t win, no matter what they do. Seaman Hunkle (Gavin MacLeod) is only concerned with the fact that they can’t get any supplies they’ve requested, even toilet paper.

Hunkle having a nervous breakdown

Lt. Watson (Robert Gist) is suddenly taken with a chuckle, when he sees the most unusual sight coming up on the dock. Lt. (JG) Nick Holden (Tony Curtis) has arrived, after being transferred to the Sea Tiger, on accident, of course. When Sherman sees this, he also gets a laugh, for Holden is an Admiral’s aide, dressed in full whites, on a very dirty dock. Holden explains that he has been assigned to the Sea Tiger simply due to miscommunication.

Sherman asks Holden what his skills include. Discovering that there is basically nothing on a submarine that Holden can do, Sherman begins to question him as to why he’s even in the Navy, condemning Mr. Holden for having a manicure and not belonging in this rough place. Holden declares that he’s tougher than he looks, saying:

I grew up in a neighborhood called Noah’s Ark. If you didn’t travel in pairs, you just didn’t travel.

When Hunkle comes to Sherman in administrative distress, because none of his requests are going through, Holden suggests that he has a solution and asks to become the Sea Tiger’s Supply Officer. Reluctantly, Sherman agrees.

Sherman and Lt. Holden

Choosing his own men, namely The Prophet and Hunkle, Holden heads out to “shop” for supplies. Raiding the military base of supplies while dressed in black, the three men manage to get all their supplies. Holden comes to find out why Hunkle will never leave the Navy due to him tattooing a “lady” on his chest. Holden tells him that his chest is probably the best looking in the entire Navy!

Hunkle's mistake

The next morning, it becomes quite apparent to Sherman that Holden is no ordinary Supply Officer and that they might be in a little deep at this point. When Holden introduces Sgt. Ramon Gillardo to Sherman, who is slightly appalled that Holden sought him, firstly, but that secondly, Ramon is a Marine Corps escaped prisoner. Nevertheless, Sherman is in too far now and must accept Ramon as part of his crew.

Meeting Ramon

Captain Henderson calls Sherman in to complain that everything around him is slowly disappearing…including his own walls! Sherman claims he isn’t sure it is anyone from his crew, Henderson calls it “Sherman’s march to the sea”. It’s then, that an air raid forces the Sea Tiger to leave port, they’ve been spotted by the Japanese and there’s no staying there. Convincing Captain Henderson that their engines work (when they don’t), that they can submerge (by sinking), and that they’re able (which is iffy), the Captain allows them. He warns Sherman that even if they meet a Japanese swimming in the ocean, not to go into combat for fear that he’ll kick a hole in their boat.

Captain Henderson and Sherman

Taking off, they decide to test their submerging capabilities. Mr. Holden is a little nervous about it, as he’s never been on a submarine before, let alone one that is unreliable. Explaining to Sherman that the only reason he’s in the Navy is to have a uniform that will get him into the wealthy circles. In fact, Holden has accomplished this and is marrying the fine lady when he returns. To Sherman, Mr. Holden is the worst kind of person, but he’s stuck with him. When Holden discovers that there’s water in the boat, Sherman is informed by Chief Molumphry (Gene Evans) that they need to go up for repairs.

While up for repairs, Sherman sends Holden out to the island to get him out of his hair. Ensign Stovall (Dick Sargent) is impressed with what he’s bringing back…Sherman is shocked. Mr. Holden arrives with five women – United States Military Nurses, to be exact. Left stranded on the island after their plane made an emergency landing, Sherman is stuck with having to keep the women. Instructing the men to ignore the fact that their guests are female, Sherman tells the commanding nurse, Major Heywood (Virginia Gregg) to be cautious.

Lt. Colfax, Lt. Reid, and Major Heywood

No sooner aboard, the collision alarm goes off. Sherman meets Lt. Crandall (Joan O’Brien), who happens to be accident prone. Sherman sets Ensign Stovall to showing the women around the vessel and getting them settled in quarters. This arrangement seems to be just fine with almost everyone on board, except for Chief Machinist Mate Sam Tostin (Arthur O’Connell) who declares it is bad luck to have a woman aboard. Sherman would soon learn this lesson, when he discovers that the men are “raffling” off the women, in other words: donating their clothing to the women.

Holden and Lt. Duran

Major Heywood, whose father taught her machinery, insists that her methods will fix the engines. Tostin can’t stand this, but Sherman only knows that it works. Hunkle is also having problems, when Lt. Reid (Madlyn Rhue) slaps him after seeing his tattooed chest. In other places, Sherman can’t keep Mr. Holden down, who is intent on getting the attentions of Lt. Duran (Dina Merrill). The two become quite chummy and it takes everything Sherman has not to court martial Mr. Holden immediately. Meanwhile, Sherman is having enough trouble keeping Lt. Crandall away from himself, who seems to be overly concerned with his health.

Sherman and Tostin in shock

When they discover a Japanese tanker, just sitting out in front of them, Sherman’s men convince him that they can’t let it go. The Sea Tiger can’t go down without a record, so they set up to fire upon the unsuspecting tanker. At the moment before firing, Lt. Crandall remembers that Cmdr. Sherman needs to take some vitamins she has, getting enough in the way to misfire. It’s all Sherman can do to hold together, when he discovers that they “sunk a truck” instead.

Sunk a truck!

Arriving at Cebu, Sherman tries to unload the women, however discovers that conditions are so bad there, the women can’t stay. Sherman is forced to keep them aboard until he can drop them off elsewhere. While there, Lt. Watson asks for supplies, but is informed that there are none on the island. Sherman has no choice, but to release the room-bound Holden to get supplies. Lt. Holden soon sets up shop at the local casino, getting more supplies than they need for the price of casino chips – he assumes won’t be cashed. Sherman instructs Ensign Stovall to call the casino the Supply Depot from here on out.

At the "Supply Depot"

On his way back to the boat, Holden gets the idea that the men of the Sea Tiger need to be able to celebrate New Year’s Eve in a special way. Passing a pig farm, Holden convinces Hunkle that they must take a pig for New Year’s dinner. The two attempt to catch a pig, without success, and Holden is forced to instruct Hunkle in the fine arts of pig talk. Finally getting a pig, they begin the drive back. Stopped by MPs, Holden tells Hunkle to dress the pig up (much to Hunkle’s dismay) and soon tells the MP that “Seaman Hornsby” is unwell and that they’re taking him back to the boat. They get away with it.

They can't stay in Cebu

When the pig farmer and the MPs arrive aboard the Sea Tiger, Sherman orders Holden to tell him where “Seaman Hornsby” is and soon discovers that he’s in the head (bathroom). When Sherman sees who “Seaman Hornsby” is, he is shocked, but decides not to give away the secret. Telling the MPs that “Seaman Hornsby” is indeed a “perfect swine” to have stolen that pig, he assures them that he’s in for a “good roasting” the next day, but will be going on a “deadly mission”. Sherman comes to an agreement with the farmer, trading him Holden’s golf club bag, clothes, and other such niceties, for the pig. Everyone’s satisfied, except for Mr. Holden, but at least they have a good holiday meal!

New Year's Eve Celebration

The next day, the men take the only available sealant that Mr. Holden could get ahold of and begin painting the boat. Unfortunately, all he could get ahold of, was red and white lead for the undercoat. When mixed, the submarine turns into a lovely shade of pink. Chief Molumphry is disgusted, but allows the men to have a couple of hours of celebration, before painting grey over it. Sherman was too close to “Seaman Hornsby” to eat anything, so Major Heywood insists that he invite Lt. Crandall down for the festivities, as she doesn’t feel it’s good for her to come down with her accident prone self. Reluctantly, Sherman goes to her, only to meet more accidents. Meanwhile, they discover that Lt. Holden and Lt. Duran are no longer aboard. No matter, they quickly return after she discovers that Mr. Holden is engaged to the “super chief” of women. Cmdr. Sherman has a good laugh over this.

Lt. Duran has given up on Mr. Holden

There is little time for merriment, however, when the Japanese attack them. Confusion abounds as everyone gets below, unfortunately, everyone includes the pregnant women and their children of the island. Sherman can’t believe this…but Mr. Holden had promised to protect them. Taking them aboard, and a goat for fresh milk, they dive fast.

Save the women and children

Soon, the nurses are put to good use, when several babies are born. Chief Tostin and Major Heywood have got the engines working well, and Hunkle and Lt. Reid are happily making diapers. Sherman begins to wonder whether he’s in the Navy or aboard a nursery vessel.

When Tokyo Rose announces that they know of the pink submarine roaming the seas, the allied forces believe it to be a trick, because they don’t have any pink submarines. They order it sunk on contact.

Sherman soon comes upon an American destroyer and is elated that their luck will change. Unfortunately, the American vessel fires upon the pink submarine. They go below and wait, trying to keep babies from crying and people from talking. No hope in sight, Sherman begins to wonder what to do. Hunkle says this is a disappointment, since Lt. Reid had discovered a way for him to return home: tattoo panties and a bra on his chest. Lt. Holden knows what to send up in the torpedo tubes!

The Japanese have nothing like this...

When the American vessel sees what is floating in the water, they cease fire and allow the pink submarine to come up. Arriving back home in a pink submarine by the grace of a woman’s undergarments, Sherman says to hold their heads high.

Back to the present, Sherman recalls fondly the times of the past. Meeting Captain Holden on deck, Admiral Sherman informs him that he has a new command…the next Sea Tiger! Wondering where his wife is, the former Lt. Crandall, he nevertheless greets Mrs. Holden, the former Lt. Duran. Sherman’s wife is not far behind and soon catches up, crashing her car into the Admiral’s vehicle. This comes as no surprise to Sherman and gives quite a chuckle to Holden.

Watching the Sea Tiger go on her final voyage

Review

A classic Cary Grant comedy that brings a humorous side to the war era film collection. The antics of each of the characters allows for a diverse storyline, pulling in many different sub-stories. Cary Grant and Tony Curtis play opposite each other quite well, the witty banter is well done, and there isn’t a dull moment throughout.

Indeed the story is so well done, each character has a unique personality that is so life-like, you could almost imagine this story to be true. From the geeky Hunkle with his pencils in his pocket, to the conniving, fast-talking, quick-witted Holden to the slow and easy machinist Tostin, you’ll find all kinds in this film.

Holden with the nurses and the babies

For parents, Holden is definitely after the ladies, so know that when watching the film. There are perhaps three or four foul words in the film. The movie itself is quite clean, however, and very funny. Cary Grant’s facial expressions alone are worth the watch and the oddity of the fact that he ends up with the most accident prone woman among them is funny, albeit painful.

Enjoy this classic, have a good laugh, and enjoy the pink!

Ellen Nolan