Operation Petticoat

Main Plot

"Operation Petticoat" is a comedy film directed by Blake Edwards, set during World War II. The story revolves around the USS Sea Tiger, a submarine that suffers damage from a Japanese air raid shortly after the U.S. enters the war. Lieutenant Commander Matt Sherman, played by Cary Grant, is the submarine's commanding officer who is determined to salvage the crippled vessel. With the help of his resourceful supply officer, Lieutenant Nick Holden, portrayed by Tony Curtis, Sherman sets out to repair the submarine with scavenged parts and return it to action. The plot takes a humorous turn when Holden schemes to acquire supplies, leading to a series of comedic misadventures. The situation aboard the Sea Tiger becomes even more chaotic when five Army nurses are brought onboard, challenging the crew's ability to maintain military decorum and operational secrecy. The blending of the male crew and female passengers leads to romantic entanglements and light-hearted moments, all while the crew strives to fulfill their mission under unusual and challenging circumstances. The film explores themes of resourcefulness, teamwork, and the unexpected camaraderie that arises in times of adversity.

Characters

• Cary Grant plays Lieutenant Commander Matt Sherman, the captain of a submarine who must manage a chaotic crew and unexpected female passengers during wartime repairs and evasions.
• Tony Curtis played Lt. JG Nicholas Holden, a supply officer who becomes instrumental in procuring supplies for a submarine during wartime, adding comedic flair to the mission.
• Joan O'Brien plays Lieutenant Dolores Crandall, a Navy nurse who adds romantic intrigue and comedic tension aboard a submarine during a wartime refurbishing mission.

Ending Explained

In the conclusion of the 1959 comedy film "Operation Petticoat," directed by Blake Edwards, the narrative reaches its climax as the crew of the USS Sea Tiger, a damaged submarine, strives to make it operational and escape from a besieged Philippine island during World War II. The submarine, painted a conspicuous pink due to a lack of sufficient red or white paint, becomes a symbol of the crew's resourcefulness and unconventional problem-solving methods under the command of Lieutenant Commander Matt Sherman, played by Cary Grant. As the film draws to a close, despite numerous comedic setbacks including dealing with the presence of five rescued Army nurses, supply shortages, and the challenges of maintaining stealth, the crew successfully restores the submarine to a functional state. They manage to navigate through enemy waters, evading Japanese forces. The pink submarine, initially a source of embarrassment, ultimately becomes a badge of their ingenuity and teamwork. The film ends on a light-hearted note with the crew's safe arrival at Darwin, Australia, where the pink submarine garners much attention but also admiration. The conclusion underscores themes of camaraderie, ingenuity, and the unexpected success of unconventional methods in the face of adversity.