Operation Petticoat 1959
"20,000 laughs under the sea!"
Blake Edwards' 1959 comedy-war-romance masterpiece *Operation Petticoat* plunges audiences into the chaotic, colorfully painted world of World War II underwater warfare.
Director: Blake Edwards
Cast
Cary Grant
Lieutenant Commander Matt Sherman
Tony Curtis
Lieutenant Nicholas Holden
Joan O'Brien
2nd Lieutenant Dolores Crandall
Dina Merrill
2nd Lieutenant Barbara Duran
Gene Evans
Chief Molumphry
Dick Sargent
Ensign Stovall (as Richard Sargent)
Virginia Gregg
Major Edna Heywood
Robert F. Simon
Captain J.B. Henderson
Robert Gist
Lieutenant Watson
Gavin MacLeod
Yeoman Ernest Hunkle
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Operation Petticoat (1959) about?
This 1959 wartime comedy follows a U.S. Navy submarine commander who must navigate a series of misadventures after inheriting a damaged vessel and an unconventional executive officer. Alongside a crew of army nurses, he transforms the sub into a floating circus of chaos while keeping the mission—and his sanity—intact.
Who directed Operation Petticoat?
The film was directed by Blake Edwards, known for his sharp comedic timing and iconic collaborations with stars like Peter Sellers in *The Pink Panther* series.
Who stars in Operation Petticoat?
The film stars Cary Grant as the submarine commander, Tony Curtis as the roguish executive officer, and features Joan O'Brien and Dina Merrill as the resourceful army nurses aboard the sub.
Is Operation Petticoat (1959) worth watching?
With its winning mix of slapstick humor, witty dialogue, and charming ensemble cast, *Operation Petticoat* remains a standout WWII comedy. Fans of classic Hollywood comedies and Grant-Curtis chemistry will find plenty to smile about—especially if they appreciate vintage naval shenanigans set against a wartime backdrop.
How long is Operation Petticoat?
The runtime of *Operation Petticoat* is 124 minutes.
🎥 Trailer
About Operation Petticoat (1959) — Cary Grant & Tony Curtis in the Classic WWII Comedy
Blake Edwards' 1959 comedy-war-romance masterpiece *Operation Petticoat* plunges audiences into the chaotic, colorfully painted world of World War II underwater warfare. When a submarine commander inherits a crippled vessel and an unconventional executive officer, the stage is set for a zany blend of military mishaps and romantic misadventures. Mixed in with the ranks is a contingent of resourceful army nurses, turning the cramped confines of a U.S. Navy sub into an unexpected melting pot of wit, charm, and underwater hijinks. The film rides a wave of slapstick humor and sharp dialogue, all bathed in the sun-drenched glow of classic Hollywood optimism.
Cary Grant stars as the disciplined but increasingly exasperated commander, while Tony Curtis injects the role of the smooth-talking con-man second-in-command with roguish energy. Joan O'Brien and Dina Merrill bring spunk and sophistication to the ensemble as the nurses, whose presence adds both tension and tender moments to the high-seas antics. With its blend of wartime grit and screwball comedy, *Operation Petticoat (1959)* delivers a buoyant escape into one of cinema's most enduring naval comedies.
