the year: 1959
the genre: comedy
the cast: Cary Grant (Lt. Cmdr. Matt T. Sherman); Tony Curtis (Lt. JG Nicholas Holden); Joan O’Brien (Lt. Dolores Crandall RN); Dina Merrill (Lt. Barbara Duran RN); Gavin MacLeod (Ernest Hunkle); Arthur O’Connell (Chief Machinist’s Mate Sam Tostin)
the plot: A sub load of problems confront submarine Commander Matt Sherman when his once brand new sub, The Sea Tiger, is severely damaged in a bombing raid at the beginning of WWII. With some illegal scavenging headed up by the newly transferred supply officer, Lieutenant Nick Holden, the crew manages to turn their submarine into a real fixer upper (that can move a little, and perhaps even submerge - if they don't do it too often). As they limp to another port to get the needed repair parts, the crew is forced to bring aboard a group of Army nurses. Having the nurses aboard causes some interesting problems as they all get to know each other in the cramped space of the sub – while a war is on.
count: how many cans of white paint and how many cans of red paint equal “embarassing”.
don’t miss: Seaman Hornsby. He’s a complete swine. Oh, and the witch doctor - that's a good part, too.
listen for: "Subject, Toilet paper. One: on 6 June 1941, this vessel submitted a requisition for 150 rolls of toilet paper. On 16 December 1941 the requisition was returned with stamped notation, 'Cannot identify material required.' Two: the commanding officer of the USS Sea Tiger cannot help but wonder what is being used at the Caviti Supply Depot as a substitute for this unidentifiable material once so well known to this command."
did you know: Bob Hope always said it was his biggest regret that he turned down this movie.
also listen for: “I'm a religious man, Captain, and I believe we'll get through if the Good Lord puts His mind to it. Of course, He'll have to give us His undivided attention”
also listen for: “I suggest you "wow" less and "tsk tsk tsk" a little more!”
extra bonus points: if you can tell me which ship Gavin MacLeod (he played Hunkle) would captain in the 70s-80s.
