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Operation Mad Ball

Play trailer Poster for Operation Mad Ball 1957 1h 44m Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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Tomatometer 1 Reviews 42% Popcornmeter 50+ Ratings
Posted in France, Pvt. Hogan (Jack Lemmon) falls hard for Betty Bixby (Kathryn Grant), a nurse who happens to be a lieutenant, which means they are forbidden to fraternize due to their ranks. Always one to skirt the rules, Hogan, with the help of his friend Cpl. Bohun (Dick York), cooks up a scheme to throw a clandestine ball for all the soldiers and nurses. But the two have their work cut out for them when the authoritative Capt. Paul Lock (Ernie Kovacs) starts breathing down their necks.

Critics Reviews

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Clyde Gilmour Maclean's Magazine 11/06/2019
This fast and lively army comedy deserves a further commendation here, despite a few rather gruesome bits in a morgue. Jack Lemmon, Kathryn Grant and TV's Ernie Kovacs are amusingly on hand. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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@RT89480239 10/04/2023 I loved this movie. I happened on it by chance. Reminded me a bit of MASH a bit, different war etc. But I found it to be a fun older movie. See more Matthew D @RT74523642 05/15/2021 The movie's OK, but the trailer's funnier. See more 07/10/2011 Weak service comedy is only made watchable by virtue of a likable cast. The set-up of a bunch of servicemen trying to put on a secret ball has possibilities, but there was little payoff. Lemmon is good and I liked seeing Kathryn Grant is something, who I'd only seen before in "Anatomy of a Murder". See more 06/24/2009 Strictly pedestrian effort despite cast of talented actors who have all made much better films then this. Indifferently directed and it just sort of ends without a real finish. See more 10/23/2008 Priv. Hogan: Just imagine a beautiful woman, and she's lying in your arms. And, my God, she's beautiful. The music is playing...and you're working nights! <br><br> This might be my new favorite post-WWII war comedy. Kovacs rocks and Rooney steals the show. See more 07/22/2008 Another great comedy with Jack Lemmon. See more Read all reviews
Operation Mad Ball

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Richard Quine

Director

Jack Lemmon

Pvt. Hogan

Kathryn Grant

Lt. Betty Bixby

Ernie Kovacs

Capt. Paul Lock

Arthur O'Connell

Col. Rousch

Mickey Rooney

MSgt. Yancy Skibo
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Operation Mad Ball

Operation Mad Ball (1957) Operation Mad Ball (1957) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Posted in France, Pvt. Hogan (Jack Lemmon) falls hard for Betty Bixby (Kathryn Grant), a nurse who happens to be a lieutenant, which means they are forbidden to fraternize due to their ranks. Always one to skirt the rules, Hogan, with the help of his friend Cpl. Bohun (Dick York), cooks up a scheme to throw a clandestine ball for all the soldiers and nurses. But the two have their work cut out for them when the authoritative Capt. Paul Lock (Ernie Kovacs) starts breathing down their necks.
Director
Richard Quine
Producer
Jed Harris
Screenwriter
Arthur L Carter, Blake Edwards, Jed Harris
Distributor
Columbia Pictures
Production Co
Columbia Pictures Corporation
Genre
Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Aug 17, 1957, Original
Release Date (DVD)
Jun 9, 2009
Runtime
1h 44m