The US submarine Sea Tiger is severely damaged in the first days of WWII, before its captain, Lieutenant Commander Matt Sherman (Cary Grant,) has even left port.
Sherman receives permission to attempt a repair and re-floats the sub with the help of his hard-working crew.
Aided by the illicit scavenging talents of his new officer Lt. Holden (Tony Curtis), Sherman sets sail for the safety of Australia.
Along the way they pick up five stranded nurses, causing a minor commotion among the crew and officers.
The devious Holden sets his sights on seducing Lt. Barbara Duran (Dina Merrill) while the other nurses both help and hinder the functioning of the ship.
Major Edna Heywood (Virginia Gregg) turns out to be the perfect machinist’s mate for engineer Sam Tostin (Arthur O’Connell) but Lt. Dolores Crandall (Joan O’Brien) accidentally causes Sherman to misfire a torpedo, spoiling the Sea Tiger‘s one chance at combat glory.
The uncomplicated Operation Petticoat is about as relaxing as a war movie can get and remains a satisfying light comedy.
Lt Cmdr Matt Sherman
Cary Grant Lt Nick Holden
Tony Curtis Lt Dolores Crandall
Joan O’Brien Lt Barbara Duran
Dina Merrill Molumphry
Gene Evans Stovall
Richard Sargent Major Edna Hayward
Virginia Gregg Captain J. B. Henderson
Robert F. Simon Watson
Robert Gist Ernest Hunkle
Gavin Macleod The prophet
George Dunn Harmon
Dick Crockett Lt Claire Reid
Madlyn Rhue Lt Ruth Colfax
Marion Ross Ramon
Clarence Lung Dooley
Frankie Darro Fox
Tony Pastor Jr Reiner
Bob Hoy Kraus
Nicky Blair Williams
John Morley Engineer Sam Tostin
Arthur O’Connell
Director
Blake Edwards
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Lt Cmdr Matt Sherman
Stovall
