One of the most famous scenes from Some Like it Hot has Tony Curtis imitating Cary Grant, in order to impress Marilyn Monroe. His next film was Operation Petticoat. Curtis had the opportunity to improve his impersonation, because the movie also starred Cary Grant.
The story takes place during World War II, shortly after the Japanese have bombed Pearl Harbor. Matt Sherman (Cary Grant) is the captain of a Navy submarine that has been damaged while at port. Sherman is desperate to make it seaworthy, but is unable to obtain needed supplies. He is forced to turn to Lt. Holden (Tony Curtis), a con artist and thief who mingles with the rich.
Once the sub is finally (if barely) able to see commission, the sub rescues five Navy officers who have been stranded on an island endangered by the Japanese. The five officers are nurses, led by Major Hayward (Virginia Gregg). The other four are Lieutenants, and are beautiful, buxom women.
The five women cause a stir among the all-male sailor crew, especially given the submarine's cramped quarters. Sherman has to maintain discipline in this newly chaotic atmosphere. Curtis romances Lt. Duran (Dina Merrill), while Sherman is chased by accident-prone Lt. Crandall (Joan O'Brien).
The situations in Operation Petticoat are ripe comic territory. Some of the humor today seems sexist, especially with much of the military having been integrated. For example, the women pretend not to consider alternative motives when most of the crew suddenly becomes 'sick'. And a seamen's tattoo probably wouldn't inspire blows when it is the woman entering the room.
Still, most of the humor works. Part of the credit goes to the script, which received the film's only Academy Award nomination. The presence of Cary Grant also helps. Grant could generate sarcasm and comic disbelief as well as anyone. The story goes that Grant made a then record amount as an actor from Operation Petticoat, because his contract called for a share of the profits.
The supporting cast has several familiar faces from later television sitcoms. Dick Sargent ("Bewitched") and Gavin MacLeod ("Mary Tyler Moore", "Love Boat") are sailors. One of the women lieutenants is Marion Ross ("Happy Days").
Operation Petticoat eventually inspired a short lived sitcom of its own during the late 1970s. Jamie Lee Curtis, Tony's daughter with Janet Leigh, was a cast member of that show. (68/100)
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