Operation Petticoat Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray release of Blake Edwards' "Operation Petticoat" presented in a 1.85:1 aspect ratio and encoded with MPEG-4 AVC offers a 1080p transfer that strives to improve upon its 2014 predecessor. This edition benefits from digital enhancements aimed at optimizing grain exposure, rebalancing the color scheme, and refining shadow detail and contrast. Despite these improvements, the transfer is limited by the quality of the original source material, leading to suboptimal density in panoramic shots and sporadic density fluctuations. The close-ups and well-lit scenes exhibit solid results, while the improvements in saturation and stability of color balance are subtle yet notable.

From a technical perspective, the new high-definition digital restoration does enhance the film's visual presentation, offering vibrant and saturated colors, natural flesh tones, and a good depth in both bright and dimly lit scenes. Black levels are deep without noticeable crushing, contributing to an overall stronger appearance. However, issues like visible dirt, scratches, heavy grain in some scenes, and occasional edge enhancement ringing persist, affecting the viewing experience. While the image contains a decent level of detail unmarred by excessive Digital Noise Reduction, these small improvements do not substantially elevate the presentation from its prior release.

In essence, while "Operation Petticoat" on Blu-ray exhibits clear superiority over its 2014 version via targeted digital optimization, the inherited limitations of the original master material prevent it from achieving parity with modern 4K restorations. The enhancements offer a more watchable and aesthetically pleasing experience, yet the presence of film damage, heavy grain, and minor noise remains—particularly evident in larger panoramic shots. This Region-A locked Blu-ray provides an improved but not fully transformed rendition of this classic film.

The Blu-ray release of "Operation Petticoat" features a single English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 soundtrack, providing a satisfactory auditory experience overall. Dialogue is consistently clean and easy to follow, maintaining clarity throughout the entire movie without succumbing to background noise, hiss, pops, or audio dropouts. The music score, a collaboration between David Rose and an uncredited Henry Mancini, integrates smoothly, never overshadowing the spoken words or destabilizing the dynamic balance. It’s worth noting, however, that there are inherent limitations likely tied to the original sound design, evident in sequences such as the bombing scene at approximately the 28-minute mark where the mid/high ranges appear naturally flat.

While the audio presentation maintains an undisturbed balance, certain elements, specifically sound effects like machine guns and explosions, come off as notably dull and lack depth. Despite these shortcomings, the film’s dynamics are handled well; the dialogue and score proportionally complement each other without necessitating frequent volume adjustments. Subwoofers do get a workout with the deep shots and explosions characteristic of the war genre, though low-frequency extensions could be more pronounced. The quality does suffer a dip with occasional synchronization issues in dialogue during the film's midpoint, yet overall it remains watchable.

The soundtrack delivery, while robust in some areas, underscores the potential for improvement with more meticulous care. Nevertheless, fans of “Operation Petticoat” will find that this release captures the fundamental audio elements effectively though not exceptionally. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for clarity and accessibility.

The extras on the Blu-ray release of "Operation Petticoat" are diverse, informative, and exclusive to this edition, significantly enhancing its appeal. These features range from insightful interviews with cast members and associates of the director Blake Edwards to a detailed commentary by critic Adrian Martin. Each bonus provides a rich context to the film's creation and its historical backdrop, making them a treasure trove for enthusiasts and scholars alike. The inclusion of archival footage and contextual essays further enriches the viewer's understanding of the movie and its significance in cinematic history.

Extras included in this disc:

• That's What Everybody Says About Me: Jennifer Edwards and Lesley Ann Warren discuss Blake Edwards' career and personal life.
• The Brave Crew of the Petticoat: Gavin MacLeod and Marion Ross recount their experiences working on the film.
• The Captain and His Double: Cary Grant's Struggle of the Self: Marc Eliot explores Cary Grant's complexities and career.
• Universal Newsreel: Archival footage from the film's premiere.
• Archival Footage of the Submarine U.S.S. Balao: World War II footage of the submarine used in the film.
• Essay: Chris Fujiwara's comprehensive article on the film.
• Commentary: Adrian Martin's detailed audio commentary on the film's production and impact.
• Booklet: An illustrated booklet featuring Fujiwara's essay.

Blake Edwards' "Operation Petticoat" (1959) retains its charm and humor in this new Blu-ray release by Olive Films, despite the passing of over six decades. The film, starring Cary Grant and Tony Curtis, revolves around a misfit submarine crew during World War II, managing to inject a fresh dose of humor into a well-trodden genre with its delightful script and strong performances. Grant and Curtis display excellent chemistry, delivering witty dialogue and clever setups without veering into slapstick territory. David Rose’s light, peppy score enhances the comedic elements without overplaying them, and the iconic pale pink Sea Tiger submarine remains a standout visual element.

However, the film's portrayal of gender dynamics, viewed through a modern lens, reveals dated and uneasy aspects. Scenes such as Tony Curtis's character aggressively pursuing a female nurse despite her objections, coupled with stereotypical depictions of women as klutzy ditzes, can be uncomfortable to watch today given the current social climate. Despite these problematic moments, the film does show some progressive elements for its time, with the female characters ultimately proving themselves valuable to the crew.

Technically, this Blu-ray release sees an improvement over its 2014 predecessor, although it's worth noting that the source is still the same master. The video transfer has been optimized for better viewing, which should please most enthusiasts. The package is enriched with newly commissioned extras, including audio commentary by Adrian Martin and interviews providing deeper insights into the film's production and legacy. In sum, while certain dated elements do stand out more prominently now, "Operation Petticoat" largely remains a delightful comic adventure that showcases Edwards’ early directorial prowess.

Blake Edwards' 1959 classic, Operation Petticoat, remains an entertaining yet occasionally dated film, particularly in its treatment of gender dynamics. Headlined by Cary Grant and Tony Curtis, the film consistently delivers humor through their charming and contrasting performances. Despite some of the period's cultural norms feeling out-of-step with modern sensibilities, Operation Petticoat retains its status as a beloved piece of cinematic nostalgia, offering a perfect combination of light-hearted fun and historical charm.

The Olive Signature Edition of Operation Petticoat aims to present this classic in its best possible form, utilizing the same master as the previous release but with additional digital enhancements. These improvements, though not transformative, result in a superior visual presentation that can be appreciated even on smaller screens. However, the inherent limitations of the source material are still evident, hindering the potential for a truly pristine transfer. The inclusion of valuable bonus features, such as a new program with author Marc Eliot and an insightful commentary by critic Adrian Martin, enriches the viewing experience and provides added depth to the film's historical context.

If you have been anticipating this review, there is a pretty good chance that you already own Olive Films' first release of Blake Edwards' Operation Petticoat and are wondering whether you should upgrade it with this new Signature Edition. Here's your answer: The release is sourced from the same master that was used to produce the previous release, but additional digital work has been done to optimize the technical presentation as best as possible. So, there are still inherited source limitations, but I can confirm that there are indeed meaningful improvements, and you don't have to have a large screen or projector to appreciate them. In other words, the technical presentation is certainly superior. Furthermore, the Signature Edition has an excellent selection of bonus features, including a truly illuminating new program with author Marc Eliot, as well as a rather predictably strong audio commentary by critic Adrian Martin. RECOMMENDED.