Operation Petticoat (1959 Blake Edwards)

Written by Stanley Shapiro and Maurice Richlin (suggested by a story by Paul King and Joseph Stone) the film is very nicely balanced between tense wartime situations and naval hi-jinks.

Cary Grant is incredibly smooth and elegant as submarine commander - notice the way he goes up and down ladders. His expressions and double takes are classic. Tony Curtis is the scavenger he ends up befriending (in a great and hugely satisfying final scene you see them years later). It was released before Some Like It Hot (though according to Tony's autobiog made directly after it). With Joan O'Brien, Dina Merrill, Arthur O'Connell.

The music's by David Rose and (apparently) Mancini, shot by Russell Harlan, for Universal.

Many funny moments and splendid pink submarine - art direction by that Alexander Golitzen fellow again! I'm gonna have to get into art directors now...

I understand the term 'silent running' now...