The Lieutenant Wore Skirts (1956)

In this hilarious romp starring Tom Ewell, Sheree North and Rita Moreno, a middle-aged ex-serviceman who plans to re-enlist (Ewell) is shocked to learn that not only did he fail his medical... See full summary »

Director:

Frank Tashlin

Writers:

Albert Beich (screenplay), Albert Beich (story)

Stars:

Tom Ewell, Sheree North, Rita Moreno

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Tom Ewell	...	Gregory Whitcomb
Sheree North	...	Lt. Katy Whitcomb
Rita Moreno	...	Sandra Roberts
Rick Jason	...	Capt. Barney Sloan
Les Tremayne	...	Henry 'Hank' Gaxton
Alice Reinheart	...	Capt. Grace Briggs
Gregory Walcott	...	Lt. Sweeney
Jean Willes	...	Joan Sweeney
Edward Platt	...	Major Dunning - Psychiatrist
Jacqueline Fontaine	...	Buxom Blonde at Party
Michael Ross	...	Military Policeman
Arthur Q. Bryan	...	Mr. Curtis
Keith Vincent	...	Delivery boy
Janice Carroll	...	WAAF sergeant
Ralph Sanford	...	Gateman

Storyline

In this hilarious romp starring Tom Ewell, Sheree North and Rita Moreno, a middle-aged ex-serviceman who plans to re-enlist (Ewell) is shocked to learn that not only did he fail his medical exam, his wife (North) has enlisted - and is really making the grade in the Air Force. Unhappy to be a "house husband," he flies to Hawaii to be near her - and also to hatch a scheme to get her discharged.

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Plot Keywords:

air force | hawaii | anniversary party | sunbathing | sleepwalking | 

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Genres:

Comedy

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 January 1956 (USA)

Also Known As:

I Lost My Wife to the Army

Filming Locations:

20th Century Fox Studios - 10201 Pico Blvd., Century City, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox

Technical Specs

Runtime:

99 min

Sound Mix:

4-Track Stereo (Western Electric Recording) (magnetic prints) Mono (optical prints)

Color:

Color (Color by Deluxe)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Tom Ewell, a decorated WWII pilot, is recalled to active duty in the Air Force. He dons his uniform to report for duty, but it's 1953, and the Air Force separated from the Army in 1947. His uniform isn't "AF Blue" - it's Army Air Force GREEN!

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Connections

References The Seven Year Itch (1955)

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Soundtracks

Something's Gotta Give
(uncredited)
Music by Johnny Mercer
Played briefly when Greg is watching Capt. Sloan and Katy dance

User Reviews

That wild blue yonder

Tom Ewell settled and married to Sheree North whom he met while in the Air Force is now a hack Hollywood writer and one of those married to the dwelling 50s types. She was in the service herself and married Ewell there.

Now Ewell's been recalled to active service kind of like the way Jimmy Stewart was in Strategic Air Command. But then Ewell gets out when he flunks the physical. All that soft Hollywood living.

But North being the dutiful wife she is goes out and reenlists just to be with her hubby. At that point Ewell finds himself in the same position Cary Grant was in with Ann Sheridan in I Was A Male War Bride.

With women doing just about all the jobs in today's military a lot of the humor of The Lieutenant Wore Skirts is kind of lost. But as Ewell who gives up Hollywood for Hawaii settles down to domestic simplicity at base housing where North is stationed. Even him participating in a bridge game with the other spouses is cause for disruption of the normal social order.

Ewell and North make a fine married team. She's certainly a good girl to come home to if she was not the breadwinner. Note some good performances by Rick Jason as a fighter jet ace on the make for North or whomever is available and Les Tremayne as Ewell's cheerfully hedonistic agent.

Ewell and North fly high here in nothing but friendly skies.