Operation Petticoat

Trivia: Operation Petticoat was filmed at the US Naval Base in Key West Fla. They actually did paint a submarine pink. I was attending the Fleet Sonar School on the base at the time and watched with great interest. The submarine used was the U.S.S. Balao (SS-285), which was still in commission at the time.

Trivia: The initial premise of the movie, that the nearly-new U.S.S. Sea Tiger was sunk pierside at Cavite on 10 December 1941, then hastily repaired, is based on fact. A nearly-new American submarine was indeed sunk pierside at Cavite on 10 December 1941. Unfortunately, the real-life submarine could not be repaired in time, and had to be blown up. Her name was U.S.S. Sea Lion (SS-195).

Other mistake: Close to when Tony Curtis and the nurse are going back to the pink sub, there is one scene where in the far background there are two objects moving on the water each creating a wake. It looks like someone is water skiing. A DVD will likely show this clearer.

More mistakes in Operation Petticoat

Lt. Cmdr Matt T. Serman: Sir, Sea Tiger was built to fight. She deserves a better epitaph than 'Commissioned 1940, sunk 1941, engagements none, shots fired none.' Now, you can't let it go that way. That's like a beautiful woman dying an old maid, if you know what I mean by old maid.
Capt. J.B. Henderson: Did you ever sell used cars?
Lt. Cmdr. Matt T.Sherman: No, Sir.
Capt. J.B. Henderson: I've got a hunch you missed your calling.

More quotes from Operation Petticoat