On This Day...Operation Petticoat (1959)

 Today saw the release of Cary Grant's 67th full length film, Operation Petticoat in 1959.

Synopsis:

The Philippines, December 1941. Lt. Commander Matt Sherman (Cary Grant) is the captain of USS Sea Tiger, a submarine. 

While in harbor, she is damaged by a Japanese air raid, and is close to being written off as sunk. However the crew manage to re-float her and repair her as best they can. Sherman acquires a supply officer, Lt. Nick Holden (Tony Curtis), a staff officer with no discernible naval experience or talents, except one - he is a master of scavenging parts and supplies. 

With Tony Curtis.

The submarine sets out for Australia for repairs. On the way, they stop at a US-held island only to find it deserted, but for five nurses. Things are about to get very complicated.

"Cary Grant is a living lesson in getting laughs without lines. In this film most of the gags play off him. It is his reaction, blank, startled, etc., always underplayed, that creates or releases the humor. Tony Curtis is a splendid foil.." - Powe, Daily Variety.

"In fact, it's Grant's cleverness in sustaining restraint in the face of outrageous happenings and his underplaying in the time of perpetual crises, that proves the motivating keynote that holds together the entire movie. And it's a performance that is something to shout about."

 - Sara Hamilton, Los Angeles Examiner

Did You Know?

Bob Hope always said it was his biggest regret that he turned down this movie.

Some of the plot points of the movie were based on real-life incidents. Most notable were scenes set at the opening of WWII, based on the actual sinking of the submarine USS Sealion (SS-195), sunk at the pier at Cavite Navy Yard, the Philippines; Cmdr. Sherman's letter to the supply department on the inexplicable lack of toilet paper, based on an actual letter to the supply department of Mare Island Naval Shipyard by Lt. Cmdr. James Wiggin Coe of the submarine Skipjack (SS-184); and the need to paint a submarine pink, due to the lack of enough red lead or white lead undercoat paint.

Nurse Barbara (Dina Merrill), the love interest for Tony Curtis' character, was played in the 1977 remake by Curtis' daughter, Jamie Lee Curtis.

In the film, the submarine is on a constant quest to reach a submarine repair ship to restore her operational status again. In real life, Tony Curtis served on the submarine repair ship USS Proteus during WW2. It was alleged his enlistment in the Pacific Submarine Force was inspired by the film Destination Tokyo (1943), starring Cary Grant.

With  Joan O'Brien.

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
 Gene Evans ... Chief Molumphry
 Dick Sargent ... Ens. Stoval
 Virginia Gregg ... Maj. Edna Heywood RN
 Robert F. Simon ... Capt. J.B. Henderson
 Robert Gist ... Lt. Watson
 Gavin MacLeod ... Ernest Hunkle
 George Dunn ... The Prophet
 Dick Crockett ... Harmon
Madlyn Rhue ... Lt. Reid RN
 Marion Ross ... Lt. Colfax RN
 Clarence Lung ... Sgt. Ramon Gillardo

On Set:

With Joan O'Brien, Dina Merrill and Tony Curtis.

With Tony Curtis.

Lobby Cards:

Directed by Blake Edwards.

Distributed by Universal-International.

Running time: 124 minutes.

My Life In A Month With Archie...November Review.

 Well, here we are, the penultimate month of 2020! Like most months since March it was a blur...but here's a reminder:

November 1st:

With James Stewart.

"Well I would swap you October for November, but frankly it doesn't look any better!" Here we go another month that doesn't look great!

November 2nd:

With Eva Marie Saint.

"Well if you had said that we were eating at KFC of course I'd have dressed differently!" - Picture taken on the main street in Rapid City, Dakota where CG was filming nearby in North By Northwest.

November 3rd:

From Arsenic and Old Lace (1944)

The second national lockdown was about to start - "Panic buying again? Unbelievable!!"

November 4th:

From Kiss and Make-Up (1934)

Deliveries today seemed to be multiplying...Hmm!

November 5th:

From Suspicion (1941) with Joan Fontaine and Nigel Bruce.

You should always remember, remember...good jokes! The caption read; "That's right...Two boys...in a park...One was eating a firework...One drinking battery acid...The Police were called...They charged one...Let the other off!...Get it!?"

November 6th:

From The Pride and The Passion (1957).

Trying not to get too distracted by some amazing clouds today!  One of the great perks of a driving job.

November 7th:

From The Pride and The Passion (1957).

A picture connection here with yesterday's post - Today is about getting out and getting a little bit of wind in my hair!!

November 8th:

With Jennifer Grant and cuddly toy.

I loved Rupert the Bear! And today was his 100th anniversary. "Let me introduce you...Well...You know me...This is Jennifer...And the bear?...That's Rupert!...Everyone sings his name!"

November 9th:

With Joan Fontaine from Suspicion (1941).

"Hmm...You have a planner for your entire week? Would you mind if I take a look?...Because I'm fresh out of ideas!!!"

November 10th:

Yup...Not looking too good out there today, so I'm going to stay in and catch up on a few things...Laundry and Cleaning!!!"

November 11th:

Cary Grant pictures like this always get plenty of likes. Caption reads - Hard to tell what the weather is going to be like on dark mornings...But still going to wear a jumper...Hmm!

November 12th:

From Walk, Don't Run!(1966). Cary Grant final scene on film.

All good things...I said my final goodbye 19 years ago, to one of the most decent human beings I've known...My Dad!

November 13th:

The first film release of the month, The Bishop's Wife (1947) with Loretta Young and David Niven.

November 14th:

The second film release in as many days, Suspicion (1941) with Joan Fontaine.

November 15th:

Feeling the need for a biscuit - "Yes!...That's right!...Yes!...That's what I said!...Oreos...double cream!!"

November 16th:

With Sunny Harnett.

Just a great picture to start the week!

November 17th:

One of my ramblings - "Inspite of the ups and downs in life, I remind myself of the simple facts - I was loved, I am loved and I do love. What a marvelous life!"

November 18th:

That parcel you went to great lengths to be in for?...It's coming a day early!!!!...Hmmm!

November 19th:

The third film release of the month, Houseboat (1958) with Sophia Loren.

November 20th:

With second wife, Barbara Hutton.

The start of a weekend full of watching CG films - "You can see from the itinerary, my films are planned to show all weekend! So make yourself as comfortable as possible!"

First films today, The Pride and The Passion (1957), Houseboat (1958) and Penny Serenade (1941).

November 21st:

From In Name Only (1939) with Carole Lombard.

Day 2 of CG weekend - "Yes, I know!...The pages do look empty, but I can assure you that my schedule is full!!"

Films today, Gunga Din (1939) and The Talk Of The Town (1942).

November 22nd:

From Operation Petticoat (1959).

Day three of the CG Weekend - watching Operation Petticoat (1959) and None But The Lonely Heart (1944).

November 23rd:

With Audrey Hepburn in Charade (1963).

"I am going to try and start this new week off with quiet serenity and without fanfare!

November 24th:

Behind the scene on To Catch A Thief (1955) with Grace Kelly.

Apparently if you close your eyes now and count up to midnight on 31st December...2020 will disappear!!!

True!

November 25th: 

With Director Frank Capra on the set of Arsenic and Old Lace (1944).

"What do you mean nothing!? What kind of treasure map is it? There must be something buried here!"

November 26th:

With Raymond Massey, from Arsenic and Old Lace (1944).

My older brother was born today 54 years ago - "My brother has one thing over me...He's taller!"

November 27th:

The fourth film release of the month, Once Upon A Honeymoon (1942) with Ginger Rogers.

November 28th:

At the Municipal "Muny" Opera, 4th from the right.

The last time there was a queue this big outside Argos...Jason was recruiting!! - Sometimes I make myself laugh!

November 29th:

With fifth wife, Barbara Harris.

Today marks the 34th anniversary of Cary Grant's death. Picture used is one of the last ones of him.

(See blog for more).

November 30th:

With Rosalind Russell in His Girl Friday (1940).

The end of the month - "Really? You think we can make it? I might just need one more day to prepare myself!"

So another month passes, with four films released, 3 anniversaries marked and numerous musing about the weather and the state of 2020...

...What will the final month have in store? I guess we'll soon find out!

On This Day...Cary Grant's Last Rehearsal (1986)

On the 29th November 1986, Cary Grant passed away at St. Luke's Hospital, Davenport, Iowa. He was 82 years old.

With his wife Barbara.

After feeling unwell in the afternoon whilst finalising the set up for his "A Conversation With Cary Grant" show, at the Adler Theatre, his health deteriorated and at 11.22pm he succumbed to what was noted on his death certificate as a "massive intracerebral hemorrhage".

Certificate of Death.

With Davenport's Adler Theatre Chief Stagehand, Jack Dexter.

How the news reported it:

"Cary Grant looks weary and pensive as wife Barbara whispers in his ear, in this tragic last picture taken on stage only moments before his fatal collapse on Saturday night. "I'm sorry I can't go on" Grant told her. Six hours later the beloved 82 year old actor, who had been rehearsing for a charity performance in the Mississippi River town of Davenport, Iowa was dead - a trouper to the very last" - New York Post

Many articles and books have been written that cover the final hours of Cary Grant's life. Today this post simply marks the occasion and puts some interesting and common articles together in one place.

My only comment is that is influence, style, charm and humour are still here today in the huge body of work that he left behind as his legacy.

Archie did good!