Operation Mad Ball

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Operation Mad Ball
Directed by Richard Quine
Produced by Columbia Pictures
Written by Arthur Carter
Starring Jack Lemmon
Kathryn Grant
Ernie Kovacs
Mickey Rooney
Dick York
Arthur O'Connell
Release date(s) August 17, 1957
Running time 105 min.
Language English
IMDb profile

Operation Mad Ball is a madcap 1957 military comedy starring Jack Lemmon, Kathryn Grant, Ernie Kovacs, Dick York, Arthur O'Connell, and Mickey Rooney. A wonderful cast with a funny script, it has since been named the funniest military comedy since M*A*S*H. Each star in this movie is given memorable lines and scenes, but it's the handsome Jack Lemmon that steals all the scenes that he's in. It was this film that director Billy Wilder chose Lemmon for Some Like It Hot, his most popular comedy film of his legendary career.

Contents

[edit] Plot

Private Hogan (Jack Lemmon) does not believe that such a blue-stocking can be good-looking, but the first sight of lovely dietetic nurse lieutenant Betty Bixby (Kathryn Grant) sets him right. When he picks her cigarette-lighter up and puts his weapon aside he is surprísed by security officer Paul Locke (Ernie Kovacs) who sees instantly red and threatens him with court-martial, execution and anything else that came to mind. Locke is sadistic, choleric, malicious and pompous, but, much to Hogan's relief, not as smart as himself. Soon, Hogan plans to organise a ball with all the prettiest nurses and his fellow soldiers. Hogan and Cpl. Bohun (Dick York) go to through all sorts of mishap to make sure that the secret mad ball goes ahead.

Hogan uses a general's X-ray and pretends that the X-ray belongs to him. The X-ray shows several problems and Hogan wins the sympathy of the beautiful lieutenant Betty Bixby, whom he wants to take to the ball. Hogan claims to be suffering from heartburn and an ulcer in his X-ray. Betty thinks that this would be the cause of alcohol and tobacco. Every time Betty sees Hogan, she clearly shows that she is smitten with the handsome soldier. But when Betty finds out that the X-ray doesn't belong to Hogan, she falls out with him, leaving both Betty and Hogan secretly sad to have lost each other.

On the night of the ball, each soldier has been paired with their pretty nurse, except Hogan. He waits for her, hoping that she has forgiven him. But he ends up going to the ball on his own. But when he arrives, he sees Betty with the Colonel (Arthur O'Connell). She takes off her long coat to reveal a pretty dress and her lieutenant's hat to reveal her real woman, as throughout the movie, she resists Hogan's strong advances and convinces herself that she's a lieutenant and has no time for boys. But at the end, she shares the last dance with Hogan.

[edit] Memorable Quotes

Private Hogan: Just imagine a pretty nurse, lying in your arms and the music is playing. And you've got to work nights.

(Lt. Betty Bixbee is feeling Hogan's chest after he claims to be ill.)
Betty Bixbee: And where's the pathway to your symptoms?
Private Hogan: Ooh, it's like a chestnut tree!

Betty Bixbee: Have you had any other symptoms since I saw you this morning?
Private Hogan: A few, around the heart.

(Betty Bixbee is explaining to Hogan what he must do to "feel better".)
Betty Bixbee: No running, no tobacco, no liquor, no emotional excitement...

[edit] Cast

[edit] Soundtrack

Mad Ball
by Fred Karger and Richard Quine

[edit] Awards

[edit] Tagline

"It's Operation Laughter For You! And Anything Goes!"