It’s a genial enough comedy that blends a bit of slapstick, some passable verbal sparring, a dash of romance (once a coterie of stranded Army nurses are brought aboard the sub) and even an action sequence or two. The film was inordinately popular upon its release, coming in third behind the still potent Ben-Hur and Psycho as the biggest box office attraction of 1960. Modern day cynics may find Operation Petticoat a bit too slight by contemporary standards, but it’s never less than completely entertaining, buoyed by some expert performances and a sharp script. — Jeffrey Kauffman