Jack Lemmon, two years after winning an Oscar for "Mister Roberts," stars in the tale of Army hijinks just after the end of WWII somewhere in France. It's amazing to watch just how much influence he has and he's not even a superior officer. He's trying to organize a ball for the men before they get back to the states. For many, it may seem like why should we care. But, for those who are patient, it does get better as it goes along. Mickey Rooney shows up in the second half, who always is a "ball" waiting to happen. It may not be Lemmon's best material, but costarring Ernie Kovacs, Dick York, and Arthur O'Connell, it deserves to be seen more often.
22 Reviews
Operation Funny Bone
bkoganbing23 January 2010
Operation Mad Ball is a peculiar combination of MASH and McHale's Navy, taking some of the best elements of both tried and true military service comedies. Jack Lemmon and Ernie Kovacs are a pair of beautifully matched antagonists.
It's France after VE Day and our army is just an army of occupation now and awaiting orders either for home or may be the Pacific Theater. Jack Lemmon would like to throw a big blowout for everyone before they all separate. But the killjoy of the proceedings is Ernie Kovacs who is a petty martinet and constantly getting in the way of all Lemmon's schemes the way Captain Binghamton used to do with Lieutenant Commander McHale. And sad to say he doesn't have an island at his disposal where he could ship McHale off to the way Joe Flynn exiled Ernie Borgnine and the rest of his PT Crew.
There's a little bit of Frank Burns on Kovacs's character as well as he tries to do things the military way while the commanding officer Arthur O'Connell is a doctor who just wants to run a hospital. See what happens at the beginning when Kovacs tries to court martial Lemmon and how O'Connell just gets out of it.
But the main problem is getting the party together without Kovacs finding out about it. Lemmon is nothing if not resourceful and his main problems is getting women for the party. What's a party without them, but the only women available are the nurses and the army's seen fit to commission them bringing in that pesky no fraternization rule. That in fact is what almost got Lemmon that court martial as Kovacs thought he was getting to familiar with Kathryn Grant. After all that was territory he had staked out and no enlisted man was going to move in on him.
Look for a nice performance by Mickey Rooney in the small role of a human encyclopedia running a port facility, a key guy in Lemmon's plans. And you haven't lived until you've heard an extremely bad version of In The Mood done on harmonica and ocarina. Good thing Glenn Miller had died before listening to this.
Operation Mad Ball sad to say is too little seen these days. It's a great introduction to those who want to study the comedic art of Jack Lemmon. Try not to miss it when broadcast.
It's France after VE Day and our army is just an army of occupation now and awaiting orders either for home or may be the Pacific Theater. Jack Lemmon would like to throw a big blowout for everyone before they all separate. But the killjoy of the proceedings is Ernie Kovacs who is a petty martinet and constantly getting in the way of all Lemmon's schemes the way Captain Binghamton used to do with Lieutenant Commander McHale. And sad to say he doesn't have an island at his disposal where he could ship McHale off to the way Joe Flynn exiled Ernie Borgnine and the rest of his PT Crew.
There's a little bit of Frank Burns on Kovacs's character as well as he tries to do things the military way while the commanding officer Arthur O'Connell is a doctor who just wants to run a hospital. See what happens at the beginning when Kovacs tries to court martial Lemmon and how O'Connell just gets out of it.
But the main problem is getting the party together without Kovacs finding out about it. Lemmon is nothing if not resourceful and his main problems is getting women for the party. What's a party without them, but the only women available are the nurses and the army's seen fit to commission them bringing in that pesky no fraternization rule. That in fact is what almost got Lemmon that court martial as Kovacs thought he was getting to familiar with Kathryn Grant. After all that was territory he had staked out and no enlisted man was going to move in on him.
Look for a nice performance by Mickey Rooney in the small role of a human encyclopedia running a port facility, a key guy in Lemmon's plans. And you haven't lived until you've heard an extremely bad version of In The Mood done on harmonica and ocarina. Good thing Glenn Miller had died before listening to this.
Operation Mad Ball sad to say is too little seen these days. It's a great introduction to those who want to study the comedic art of Jack Lemmon. Try not to miss it when broadcast.
More than a comedy
shoobe01-112 July 2020
First: The Sony movie channel has been periodically showing this, in a hilariously good, maybe even remastered transfer. Look for it.
Second, ignore the poster, the marketing of the time, even the title. It's not slapstick, no impossibly improbable stuff and really, it's more like a heist movie than a pure comedy. All machinations of some scheming lower ranks to get a party together, all within or by skirting regulations.
No physical impossibilities, no moustache twirling villains breaking the law themselves, no one runs around in a gorilla suit. It's even relatively realistic B&W.
Nothing like Bilko or so on, and all the better for it.
Second, ignore the poster, the marketing of the time, even the title. It's not slapstick, no impossibly improbable stuff and really, it's more like a heist movie than a pure comedy. All machinations of some scheming lower ranks to get a party together, all within or by skirting regulations.
No physical impossibilities, no moustache twirling villains breaking the law themselves, no one runs around in a gorilla suit. It's even relatively realistic B&W.
Nothing like Bilko or so on, and all the better for it.
Needs Rediscovery
dougdoepke24 January 2009
What breaks down military discipline faster than pull from the opposite sex. But that's what's happening to the enlisted men of a hospital detachment US Army with all those fetching nurse officers next to them. It's France right after the war and the boys are getting restless. The trouble is that Capt. Locke (Kovacs) is a pompous stickler for discipline, while mastermind Pvt. Hogan (Lemmon) schemes to let nature take its course. It's a hilarious battle between enlisted men and officers. Can fast-talking Hogan put on his mad-ball mixer before killjoy Locke foils his romantic plans. Both comedians are in fine form, making this a service comedy whose modest budget and b&w photography probably got lost in the mix of the time. Too bad, because the movie's fast paced, full of clever situations, with an attractive and lively cast.
Kovacs and Lemmon are a great pairing, showing again how much delicious humbug was lost in that tragic Kovacs auto accident. Support comes through, as well- a demure Kathryn Grant as the wide-eyed lieutenant, a cranky Dick York as the frustrated corporal, and a rhyming Mickey Rooney as the "twiddle-de-de, it must be me" logistics sergeant--- all orchestrated by up-and-coming director Richard Quine. Anyway, this is a good chance to catch up with the whole madcap bunch in a movie that remains a genuine sleeper. Now if I could just figure out what the heck an ocarina is.
Kovacs and Lemmon are a great pairing, showing again how much delicious humbug was lost in that tragic Kovacs auto accident. Support comes through, as well- a demure Kathryn Grant as the wide-eyed lieutenant, a cranky Dick York as the frustrated corporal, and a rhyming Mickey Rooney as the "twiddle-de-de, it must be me" logistics sergeant--- all orchestrated by up-and-coming director Richard Quine. Anyway, this is a good chance to catch up with the whole madcap bunch in a movie that remains a genuine sleeper. Now if I could just figure out what the heck an ocarina is.
Mad Ball and MASH in parallel.
pryor-notice23 September 2009
An easy-going bumbling Colonel commands a military hospital, the 1066th. A self-serving martinet second-in-command tries to use military regulations to tyrannize over the hospital staff. A fun-loving conniver wants to give the hospital staffers a chance to enjoy the company of the hospital's nurses while the second-in-command tries to thwart him. If Jack Lemmon and his friends had been doctors and officers, instead of enlisted personnel, the general resemblance to MASH would have been complete. When Richard Hooker's novel MASH was turned into a TV series (after passing through the movies), the writers must have been familiar with this movie. Curiouser and curiouser.
Fun movie--does this remind anyone of Hogan's Heroes?
anordicgoddess6 June 2011
Reading these reviews were spot on while being simultaneously disconcerting. Other movies were mentioned that had influence on this one, but didn't Operation Mad Ball remind anybody besides me of Hogan's Heroes? And I'm not referencing the fact that Jack Lemmon's character was named Hogan, although this might have been the basis for the TV title.
Although the circumstances aren't quite the same (albeit they are both set in WWII), some of the dialog is exactly as I remember from the TV show. Even the sight gags and the situations are similar. Only things lacking are the Germans and the teapot.
It's a fun movie and well worth watching. I've never seen it before and just can't help comparing it to Hogan's Heroes. Mickey Rooney is a hoot!
Although the circumstances aren't quite the same (albeit they are both set in WWII), some of the dialog is exactly as I remember from the TV show. Even the sight gags and the situations are similar. Only things lacking are the Germans and the teapot.
It's a fun movie and well worth watching. I've never seen it before and just can't help comparing it to Hogan's Heroes. Mickey Rooney is a hoot!
post post wartime caper
ksf-23 February 2019
The real value in this one is the gathering of huge hollywood names, not the story. Ya got Jack Lemmon, so many hollywood films. Ernie Kovacs (humorist, tv and film. you must see Our man in Havana), Dick York (ONE of the Dick's on "Bewitched"). I'm not really a fan of Mickey Rooney, child star, but he's in here too. and James Darren, Gidget's man. and Kathryn Grant, Mrs. Bing Crosby ! In the almost inconsequential storyline, Captain Lock (Kovacs) has it in for Private Hogan (Lemmon), for some reason ( jealousy ?), and he's already on thin ice. When Hogan gets re-assigned to the morgue, things start to happen, and we know there's going to be a HUGE confrontation at some point. When Hogan wants to have a final party for the guys, Lock is all over him, and is going to ruin the whole thing. One of the glaring errors here is that the men keep saying things in german, which would be HIGHLY unlikely during wartime. The script is just silly, but for entertainment purposes, we'll go along for the ride. Art O'Connell is Colonel Rousch, but his brother is a General, and i'm sure that information will come in handy later on. William Hickey is "Sampson".. he was the wacky uncle in Christmas Vacation. has some lines. Directed by Richard Quine.. he and his wife both had sad, weird bios, according to wikipedia. It's an entertaining 100 minutes. Interesting, if just for the cast of stars.
Make it 6,5!
JohnHowardReid18 September 2016
Warning: Spoilers
Remember MASH (1970)? Well. This movie predates it, and in this one the medical corps also throws plenty of spanners that inevitably gum up the way of the army. Of course, this earlier movie doesn't have the total irreverence of Mash, but there is the same abuse and misuse of army regulations, which inevitably leads to the double takes of the usual, flabbergasted and endlessly (and always uselessly) flabbergasted officers. Unfortunately, this movie does not come across with anything like the same success, thanks to surprisingly heavy-handed direction by Richard Quine (a genial man, noted for his friendly approach and light touch), plus the script's over-reliance on dialogue that is both over- repetitive and tiresomely prone to milk the very last grains of humor from situations that were not really all that funny to begin with.
great film - where can I find it?
bwilson103 December 2006
I loved this movie! A wonderful cast and very funny. Mickey Rooney was a riot, and Ernie Kovacs was a treasure, too bad there aren't more places to see him. The words 'comic genius' are tossed around excessively these days, but he was the genuine article. Jack Lemmon, as the young and proper private, was funny in the Lemmonish way we've come to love, and several others, just beginning their careers in the movies, are interesting to watch. I've been trying to find this movie to rent, but apparently it's not been released. I wonder why not. It could be considered a classic comedy of the post-World-War-II era. If there is information about this issue, it could be posted on this board, so those seeking to view the film would know that it is unavailable at this time.
Seems more dated than most films of that era
vincentlynch-moonoi18 February 2019
Warning: Spoilers
It took me three evenings to wade through this film...despite the fact that I've almost always loved Jack Lemmon films. And as I trudged on through the story, I cam to the conclusion that the problem is that this type of war comedy now seems terribly date. Not the setting...the type of film. Frankly, you'd be better off watching one of the Martin & Lewis military comedies from the 1950s. Or even some done by Abbott & Costello.
The second problem with this film is that it asks you to accept too much "un-reality". Too much. Too, too much. It's simply not believable.
And, to some degree, it's a one joke comedy. How do the soldiers get to have a dance? That pretty much sums up the plot.
The one thing that is interesting here is the cast. Jack Lemmon -- in his first role as lead actor -- is (at least to me) a little bit miscast as the conniving soldier. Why Ernie Kovacs accepted his role as an overbearing agitant, I don't know; I didn't think it was a very entertaining role, even though it was vital to the production. Interesting to see Kathryn Grant -- Bing Crosby's future wife as a nurse and the love interest for Jack Lemmon. I always enjoy Arthur O'Connell -- a fine character actor...but this was not a very good role for him, either...except, perhaps, for the last ten minutes of the film. How far Mickey Rooney had fallen for this hapless role. Interesting to see Dick York from "Bewitched". Interesting to also see James Darren and Roger Smith (the latter the future husband of Ann-Margaret in small supporting roles.
In fact, that sums this film up for me -- worth seeing for the cast...not worth seeing for the plot.
The second problem with this film is that it asks you to accept too much "un-reality". Too much. Too, too much. It's simply not believable.
And, to some degree, it's a one joke comedy. How do the soldiers get to have a dance? That pretty much sums up the plot.
The one thing that is interesting here is the cast. Jack Lemmon -- in his first role as lead actor -- is (at least to me) a little bit miscast as the conniving soldier. Why Ernie Kovacs accepted his role as an overbearing agitant, I don't know; I didn't think it was a very entertaining role, even though it was vital to the production. Interesting to see Kathryn Grant -- Bing Crosby's future wife as a nurse and the love interest for Jack Lemmon. I always enjoy Arthur O'Connell -- a fine character actor...but this was not a very good role for him, either...except, perhaps, for the last ten minutes of the film. How far Mickey Rooney had fallen for this hapless role. Interesting to see Dick York from "Bewitched". Interesting to also see James Darren and Roger Smith (the latter the future husband of Ann-Margaret in small supporting roles.
In fact, that sums this film up for me -- worth seeing for the cast...not worth seeing for the plot.
Post-WWII service comedy with privates chasing nurses...not many original jokes
moonspinner5523 January 2010
At a U.S. Army Medic Outpost in 1945 France, the wily Captain is outwitted by the ringleader of the private recruits. Arthur Carter, adapting his own play with support from Jed Harris and--of all people--Blake Edwards, starts things off brightly, but soon becomes mired in juvenile hijinks and sex-minded mischief. The privates hope to renovate a rundown French hotel in time for a secret dance between the soldiers and the nurses, all the while keeping Captain Ernie Kovacs in the dark. Kovacs does a great job at acting the buffoon, though his character, written without any dimensions, is all on one-note. We've seen these military tricks before (and since). Still, Kovacs manages a handful of bright moments in the first half-hour, easily upstaging Jack Lemmon and a well-chosen supporting cast. Richard Quine directed...and also co-wrote the theme song (!). *1/2 from ****
It has been on Turner Twice
laurmartin17 April 2009
It was on last summer in July and then as part of a tribute to Jack Lemmon in January I think. Recently I have found out that it is due sometime this summer as part of a Jack Lemmon collection of five films. It's in the 50 dollar price range and I don't think it's coming out separately. Anyway, in addition to Jack Lemmon and Mickey Rooney it features several up and coming actors of the 50s. Oh and character actor Arthur O'Connell. The young actors are Kathryn Grant as Jack Lemmon's love interest. Ernie Kovacs in his first film. James Darren - pre Gidget and definitely pre-Time Tunnel, Roger Smith (he married Ann Margaret) and Dick York (Darren on Bewitched.) It's a good movie that should receive more attention. I enjoyed this movie very much.
A little-known gem
Flickerater8 March 2021
Excellent cast, snappy direction, great production, clever story, good dialog. I'd have thought it was a Billy Wilder comedy. Lemmon is first-rate as the wheeling and dealing fixer / arranger. Kovacs is all-in as his nemesis. Everyone else does well. Not too dated, either.
Occasional over-acting and a few heavy-handed directorial moves are the only faults I can recall. In general I forgot that I was watching a film. Catch this one if you can.
Occasional over-acting and a few heavy-handed directorial moves are the only faults I can recall. In general I forgot that I was watching a film. Catch this one if you can.
A Comic Letdown
mackjay210 March 2021
Surprisingly flat comedy from a promising cast and writers. With a famous comedian, Ernie Kovacs, a future star Jack Lemmon and more than able support from the likes of Dick York, Arthur O'Connell and Kathryn Grant, as well as writers including Blake Edwards, we might have expected more. This pseudo-sex farce set on a US military base in France just after the end of WWII never picks up steam as a comedy. It does derive some energy at moments from Kovacs and Co. There's also Mickey Rooney, who has the liveliest scene in the picture as a goofball who memorizes the World Almanac. Rooney also livens up the "Mad Ball" at the end with his raring-to-go band. But none of that is enough. It was 1957 and the audience was supposed to enjoy the not very subtle winking dialog about what men and women want to "do" with each other. There's a song under the credits, nicely sung by uncredited Sammy Davis Jr. Others seem to find this film a laugh riot. Well, to each his/her own.
good show
cemab4y27 November 2017
I have enjoyed this film for many years. Casting a film is an art in itself. And this film is a classic of casting. The Oscar-winning actor Jack Lemmon, is a perfect foil for the fussy Ernie Kovacs. Young James Darren, and Dick York, and the inimitable Mickey Rooney, all make a fine ensemble. Veteran Arthur O'Connell, and all of the rest serve up a delicious film.
This is one of the biggest sleepers of all time, and really never got the recognition that it deserved. I like to think of it as a "Proto-M*A*S*H", as it clearly presents a lunacy of a military hospital, and the goofy characters.
A precious "gem" of a film.
This is one of the biggest sleepers of all time, and really never got the recognition that it deserved. I like to think of it as a "Proto-M*A*S*H", as it clearly presents a lunacy of a military hospital, and the goofy characters.
A precious "gem" of a film.
Very good Army comedy set in post-war France
SimonJack3 March 2021
"Operation Mad Ball" is a very funny movie, with a wonderful cast. One wonders if this film didn't inspire the 1972 hit TV series, "M.A.S.H.," more than the 1970 movie and book it was based on. Army surgeon H. Richard Hornberger wrote "MASH: A Novel About Three Army Doctors" in 1968, under the pen name, Richard Hooker. It was about his service in the Korean War. The 1970 movie, "M.A.S.H." was based on his book. While Hooker liked the movie, he didn't like the TV series, saying it wasn't his kind of medical humor. But the type of hijinks, fenagling and scheming plans in "Operation Mad Ball" are much like what the later TV series seemed to thrive on - in between its witty and funny dialog at times and its occasional serious notes.
And, this movie was made earlier than all those other sources. So, anything familiar in those and other films or shows like them ("McHale's Navy" TV series of 1962 and movie of 1964, "Operation Petticoat" movie of 1959, etc.) may have been borrowed from this movie.
The U.S. Army 1066th General Hospital is located somewhere in northern France. The war in Europe ended four months earlier. It's now September 1945, and the Army's presence is mostly helping the French rebuild, and the hospital is there to care for the last injured in recovery before everyone returns to the States.
Jack Lemmon's Pvt. Hogan is a genius of an idea man - in this case, a schemer for having fun and getting the most out of the remainder of his Army time, by having the least to do. The latter explains why after at least three years and a number of combat awards, Hogan is still a private. When his nemesis, Capt. Paul Lock, played superbly by Ernie Kovacs, tries to nail him on any infraction, he somehow slips by or gets out of it. In one scene, Lock is trying to get Col. Rousch, the unit's commander, to throw the book at Hogan. He points to the record he has handed Rousch, who then starts reading, "Silver Star, bronze star with cluster, purple heart...." When Rousch says it's quite a record, Hogan explains that it had just been luck - he had been in the wrong place at the time.
Having served with all of the NCOs in the unit the past three years, Hogan knows the ins and outs of the whole unit - and then some. And, they all know what he can do. With the unit soon to be shipped Stateside, he plans one last great fling for the enlisted men and nurses - a fantastic ball at Madame LaFour's inn and hotel. And, everyone has to pitch in to pull it off and not get discovered by Lock. .
The film has a whale of a cast, all of whom are very good. The comedy isn't from lots of witty or funny dialog. It's most situational, and much of it somewhat occupational - having to do with the Army. Veterans of all branches of service should enjoy this film, as well as family members and all who enjoy good comedies. The ending is a real hoot. This is a classic example of a very good comedy that would be much less without the straight man role. And Kovacs plays it perfectly.
And, this movie was made earlier than all those other sources. So, anything familiar in those and other films or shows like them ("McHale's Navy" TV series of 1962 and movie of 1964, "Operation Petticoat" movie of 1959, etc.) may have been borrowed from this movie.
The U.S. Army 1066th General Hospital is located somewhere in northern France. The war in Europe ended four months earlier. It's now September 1945, and the Army's presence is mostly helping the French rebuild, and the hospital is there to care for the last injured in recovery before everyone returns to the States.
Jack Lemmon's Pvt. Hogan is a genius of an idea man - in this case, a schemer for having fun and getting the most out of the remainder of his Army time, by having the least to do. The latter explains why after at least three years and a number of combat awards, Hogan is still a private. When his nemesis, Capt. Paul Lock, played superbly by Ernie Kovacs, tries to nail him on any infraction, he somehow slips by or gets out of it. In one scene, Lock is trying to get Col. Rousch, the unit's commander, to throw the book at Hogan. He points to the record he has handed Rousch, who then starts reading, "Silver Star, bronze star with cluster, purple heart...." When Rousch says it's quite a record, Hogan explains that it had just been luck - he had been in the wrong place at the time.
Having served with all of the NCOs in the unit the past three years, Hogan knows the ins and outs of the whole unit - and then some. And, they all know what he can do. With the unit soon to be shipped Stateside, he plans one last great fling for the enlisted men and nurses - a fantastic ball at Madame LaFour's inn and hotel. And, everyone has to pitch in to pull it off and not get discovered by Lock. .
The film has a whale of a cast, all of whom are very good. The comedy isn't from lots of witty or funny dialog. It's most situational, and much of it somewhat occupational - having to do with the Army. Veterans of all branches of service should enjoy this film, as well as family members and all who enjoy good comedies. The ending is a real hoot. This is a classic example of a very good comedy that would be much less without the straight man role. And Kovacs plays it perfectly.
Watch an Episode of 'Bilko' Instead
richardchatten20 June 2018
Obviously made to capitalise on Jack Lemmon's Oscar-winning turn as Ensign Pulver in 'Mister Roberts' and the current popularity of mildly satirical service comedies like 'Teahouse of the August Moon' and 'Bilko'. With that title and that cast, I've been expecting something fast-paced and zany; but mounting a big party behind the backs of their superiors hardly seems to justify such a long (105 minutes) and elaborately produced movie, which never takes flight and feels like the filmed play it is. The music score is twee, the photography drab; and its terrific cast all talk too much. (I also think it should have been in colour, like most of its contemporaries were.)
It's digs at military bureaucracy and (very) odd moments of black humour have led to comparisons with 'MASH', but a truer precursor to that is actually 'Captain Newman, M.D.' (1963), with Gregory Peck and Tony Curtis. See that instead.
It's digs at military bureaucracy and (very) odd moments of black humour have led to comparisons with 'MASH', but a truer precursor to that is actually 'Captain Newman, M.D.' (1963), with Gregory Peck and Tony Curtis. See that instead.
Ernie Kovacs in world war 2
nickenchuggets18 September 2021
Warning: Spoilers
If I'm being frank, the only reason I decided to watch this movie is because Ernie Kovacs is in it. A few months ago, I finished watching a compilation of all his television specials and included on the disc is a trailer he made for this movie. At first glance, it just didn't look that impressive to me, and hardly anyone knows about it, which I suppose makes sense. After seeing it though, I can now conclude it's not quite as rehashed or mediocre as I was predicting. Most of the acting is just average, but a bonus for me was getting to see footage of Kovacs I never knew existed. The movie itself takes place right after world war 2, in autumn 1945. At an outpost in France, Private Hogan (Jack Lemmon) comes across a nice looking nurse named Lieutenant Betty (Kathryn Crosby), who has just dropped her cigarette lighter. Stupidly, Hogan puts aside his Garand rifle to help her retrieve the lighter, which is a serious offense considering he's on guard duty. Hogan's misdemeanor is intercepted by Captain Locke (Ernie Kovacs) who puts him under arrest and plans to expel him from the armed forces. Colonel Rousch, Locke's boss, doesn't share his subordinate's views on what he considers a horrible crime, so Hogan is not court martialed. Some time later, he begins to make plans for a big party that is to take place at a hotel. He then steals a high ranking officer's X-ray and lies to Betty about it being his. He claims to have an ulcer, and she puts him on a diet that involves him drinking milk every 2 hours. He also has to report his progress to her. Betty later discovers Hogan was lying, and gets so angry with him she punches him in the abdomen. Despite this, she secretly does like him. Meanwhile, Hogan continues to take the necessary precautions in order to make sure the ball will happen. Captain Locke tries his hardest to put a stop to all of it, and he watches Hogan like a hawk. On the day the ball is to occur, Hogan shows up at the destination only to find Betty in the company of Colonel Rousch. As commanding officer, it's his responsibility to put a stop to the party, but he tells everyone he's not going to. Betty chooses to be with Hogan, and gets rid of her nurse overcoat to reveal a nice dress. Sergeant Skibo (Mickey Rooney) then dances like he's having a massive stroke and the film ends. It might not win any awards for originality, but Mad Ball was a lot better than I was thinking it would be. There's many funny moments in it, such as when Rousch is riding in a jeep with Betty and they come across Captain Locke. Locke says the colonel will vouch for him and put a stop to the illegal party, but Rousch pretends he's never seen Locke in his whole life and tells guards to restrain him. Speaking of which, it's such a strange feeling seeing Ernie Kovacs play a bad guy for a change, but that's exactly what he is for most of the film. His job is to prevent the party from taking place, and he's basically the antithesis to Jack Lemmon. Once again, it's a good example of film directors not really knowing how to effectively cast Ernie, but since he does a good job in the role, I don't mind it that much. Another strange thing about this movie that isn't really related to it is how it was directed by Richard Quine, and I only discovered this after I recently watched another movie by him that also just so happens to feature Mickey Rooney. One hell of a strange coincidence. Overall, I only watched this for Ernie's performance, because the rest of the film is mostly uneventful.
Operation Lame Ball
ArtVandelayImporterExporter20 May 2021
Were the Eisenhower years so super uptight that this passed for entertainment in 1957? The squareness of this service comedy is straight out of 1943. Maybe recruitment was down after Korea and Uncle Sam was having trouble fooling Iowa farmboys into signing up for the meat grinder. "Look boys, put on a uniform, have some laughs, meet some dames."
In any event, there are a few recognizable male actors who do their best with fairly low-brow material. But the real appeal in 1957, I'm guessing, would have been the attractive women. That doesn't amount to much when you're watching in 2021.
Structurally, OK, there's a passing resemblance to MASH. But come on now, MASH is an absurdist treasure crafted by one of film-making's all-time masters. Operation Mad Ball is a warmed-over stage play hauled out of the script pile 15 past its freshness date.
In any event, there are a few recognizable male actors who do their best with fairly low-brow material. But the real appeal in 1957, I'm guessing, would have been the attractive women. That doesn't amount to much when you're watching in 2021.
Structurally, OK, there's a passing resemblance to MASH. But come on now, MASH is an absurdist treasure crafted by one of film-making's all-time masters. Operation Mad Ball is a warmed-over stage play hauled out of the script pile 15 past its freshness date.
Very enjoyable.
planktonrules25 March 2012
I noticed that one reviewer described this film as being like combining "M*A*S*H" and "McHale's Navy"---and this is a very accurate observation...though I might also add a touch of "Operation Petticoat". It's one of those quirky comedies that they were able to make AFTER WWII was finished--as the war, especially at the time, wasn't very funny! Now, over a decade later, folks were able to look at some of the absurdities and funny moments in the military the war--and it's easier here because it's set just a few months after the war--time to laugh and have fun.
"Operation Mad Ball" is set in an army hospital in France in September, 1945. You see early on that there is a Captain (Ernie Kovacs) who is a total jerk and an enlisted man (Jack Lemmon) who is always outsmarting him. Because the war is over and the men are longing to blow off some steam, Lemmon plans for a giant party--one where the enlisted men can fraternize, off the record, with the nurses. But since this is clearly against regulations and the annoying Captain is looking for an excuse to bust Lemmon, they need to tread very, very lightly. Along the way, there are tons of complications (I liked the one involving the body) and whether or not this insane ball will take place is constantly in doubt.
The film is a nice little comedy with lots of nice twists and interesting characters. My favorite was the Captain--Kovacs played a guy you love to hate. THere were also a lot of nice quirky characters as well. The script was quite clever and the film a nice, light comedy--on part with or perhaps a little better than "Operation Petticoat".
"Operation Mad Ball" is set in an army hospital in France in September, 1945. You see early on that there is a Captain (Ernie Kovacs) who is a total jerk and an enlisted man (Jack Lemmon) who is always outsmarting him. Because the war is over and the men are longing to blow off some steam, Lemmon plans for a giant party--one where the enlisted men can fraternize, off the record, with the nurses. But since this is clearly against regulations and the annoying Captain is looking for an excuse to bust Lemmon, they need to tread very, very lightly. Along the way, there are tons of complications (I liked the one involving the body) and whether or not this insane ball will take place is constantly in doubt.
The film is a nice little comedy with lots of nice twists and interesting characters. My favorite was the Captain--Kovacs played a guy you love to hate. THere were also a lot of nice quirky characters as well. The script was quite clever and the film a nice, light comedy--on part with or perhaps a little better than "Operation Petticoat".
Looking for this movie?
mlyniam-119 July 2008
It is being shown on TCM, as of today 07182008. I've never seen it before, but am watching it now.
I was amazed at the number of stars I saw listed in the beginning credits. I imagine it will be the same way people now view Ocean's 11 (the original) and in 30 years, view the remakes.
I love Some Like it Hot. It shines mostly because of Jack Lemmon. His comedy as a woman is a riot, especially in the scenes with the old millionaire. Another great movie of his, and hard to find is "The Landlady" with Fred Astaire and Kim Novak.
Anyway, I thank goodness for my DVR and TCM.
mlyniam
I was amazed at the number of stars I saw listed in the beginning credits. I imagine it will be the same way people now view Ocean's 11 (the original) and in 30 years, view the remakes.
I love Some Like it Hot. It shines mostly because of Jack Lemmon. His comedy as a woman is a riot, especially in the scenes with the old millionaire. Another great movie of his, and hard to find is "The Landlady" with Fred Astaire and Kim Novak.
Anyway, I thank goodness for my DVR and TCM.
mlyniam
They do lots of double talk, but I only laughed once.
mark.waltz3 September 2016
Warning: Spoilers
It's post World War II France, and sergeant Hogan (Jack Lemmon) is threatened with court martial by Captain Ernie Kovacs with every antic even though the commanding colonel (Arthur O'Connell) stands up for him. Who's running the hospital here, anyway? There's lots of silly pranks and antics in Lemmon's effort to throw the maddest military ball to end all military balls, all the while complaining of an ulcer he gets assistance from pretty nurse Kathryn Crosby for.
Only moderately amusing, this has a good cast and the benefit of future comedy legend Blake Edwards as one of its four writers. But if it looked funny on paper, something has been left off the screen, perhaps thanks to director Richard Quine who directed a few military comedies (a few with songs starring Mickey Rooney), all pretty forgettable. Rooney appears here too, but his participation seemingly something of an afterthought and no real addition to the script. "Bewitched" fans will appreciate Dick York in a major supporting role. This just ends up being nothing but another one of many anti-military comedy where they are made to seem like buffoons.
Only moderately amusing, this has a good cast and the benefit of future comedy legend Blake Edwards as one of its four writers. But if it looked funny on paper, something has been left off the screen, perhaps thanks to director Richard Quine who directed a few military comedies (a few with songs starring Mickey Rooney), all pretty forgettable. Rooney appears here too, but his participation seemingly something of an afterthought and no real addition to the script. "Bewitched" fans will appreciate Dick York in a major supporting role. This just ends up being nothing but another one of many anti-military comedy where they are made to seem like buffoons.
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