Overview
A hilarious misadventure unfolds aboard a submarine during World War II, where chaos and romance collide.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Simple
- Violence
- Mild
- witty
- breezy
- irreverent
- lazy sunday
- classic movie night
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film fast-moving and consistently funny, with Cary Grant and Tony Curtis providing strong comic chemistry despite a contrived central premise.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The submarine's cramped quarters turn the presence of five Army nurses into a sustained source of physical comedy and social friction.
Lieutenant Nicholas Holden's flirtations and the nurses' relationships complicate the crew's wartime mission.
The crew's improvised red-and-white primer produces the film's defining pink submarine image.
Submarine warfare is presented through repairs, evasions, logistics, and personnel chaos rather than grim combat realism.
Films like Operation Petticoat, and why
Mister Roberts
Shared blend of wartime farce, romance, ensemble comedy, and military misadventure.
The Wackiest Ship in the Army
Shared classic Hollywood military comedy, irreverent service culture, and buoyant ensemble tone.
The Awful Truth
Shared Cary Grant comic timing, romantic complications, and escalating screwball situations.
The Great Race
Shared Blake Edwards direction, brisk comic pacing, and slapstick built around professional incompetence.
Movie Details
- Director
- Blake Edwards
- Release Date
- 1959-12-05
- Runtime
- 124 min
- Rating
- 7.2 / 10 (431)
Cast
- Cary Grant
- Tony Curtis
- Joan O'Brien
- Dina Merrill
- Gene Evans
- Dick Sargent
- Virginia Gregg
- Robert F. Simon
- Robert Gist
- Gavin MacLeod
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Operation Petticoat about?
- A damaged World War II submarine becomes a floating pressure cooker when its resourceful captain takes aboard stranded Army nurses and sails on in shocking pink.
- What is Operation Petticoat like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Operation Petticoat as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as simple.
- Is Operation Petticoat violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Operation Petticoat as mild.
- What did critics think of Operation Petticoat?
- Critics broadly found the film fast-moving and consistently funny, with Cary Grant and Tony Curtis providing strong comic chemistry despite a contrived central premise.
- Which films are like Operation Petticoat?
- Films with a similar feel include Mister Roberts, The Wackiest Ship in the Army, The Awful Truth, and The Great Race.
- How long is Operation Petticoat?
- Operation Petticoat runs 124 minutes.
- Where can I watch Operation Petticoat?
- In United States, Operation Petticoat is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
