Operation Bullshine
| Company type | Film |
|---|---|
| Industry | Film industry |
| Founded | 1959 |
| Founder | Gilbert Gunn (director) |
| Products | Comedy film |
Operation Bullshine is a British colour comedy film from 1959, directed by Gilbert Gunn and featuring performances by Donald Sinden, Barbara Murray, and Carole Lesley. Initially titled Girls in Arms, a name also used for a marching tune within the movie, the film was renamed to its final title, an American euphemism referencing a British curse word. This change reflects the frantic activity surrounding a brigadier’s unexpected inspection. Gunn had previously directed Girls at Sea the year before. Among the cast is 1956 Olympic gold medalist Judy Grinham, who appears as a physical training instructor.
The film saw its American release in 1963 through Seven Arts Productions.
Plot
Set against the backdrop of World War II, the narrative follows an officer of the Royal Artillery assigned to an anti-aircraft unit operated by female members of the Auxiliary Territorial Service. His wife enlists and, due to an administrative error, is posted to the same battery, contravening rules prohibiting spouses from serving together. This situation breeds jealousy as she suspects him of favoring other ATS women.
Lieutenant Brown is encouraged to take leave with his wife but neglects to inform her. Nevertheless, she locates him aboard a train returning home, soon followed by Gunner White arriving at his residence. The arrival of the major shortly thereafter adds to the turmoil.
In preparation for a brigadier’s inspection, the camp undergoes thorough tidying. Although the brigadier expresses approval, he stumbles upon Mr. and Mrs. Brown sharing a kiss in the kitchen, risking disciplinary action. Their encounter is interrupted by an air raid siren; they promptly man the anti-aircraft gun and successfully shoot down a German aircraft. The pilot parachutes safely and surprisingly welcomes capture by the all-female unit.
Cast
- Donald Sinden – Lieutenant Gordon Brown
- Barbara Murray – Private Betty Brown
- Carole Lesley – Private Marge White
- Ronald Shiner – Gunner Slocum
- Naunton Wayne – Major Pym
- Dora Bryan – Private Cox
- John Cairney – Gunner Willie Ross
- Fabia Drake – Junior Commander Maddox A.T.S.
- Joan Rice – Private Finch
- Daniel Massey – Bombardier Peter Palmer
- Peter Jones – Gunner Perkins
- Barbara Hicks – Sergeant Merrifield
- John Welsh – Brigadier
- Judy Grinham – P.T. Instructress
- Cyril Chamberlain – Orderly Sergeant
- Ambrosine Phillpotts – Reporter
- Naomi Chance – Subaltern Godfrey A.T.S.
- Marianne Stone – Sergeant Cook
- Harry Landis – Gunner Wilkinson
- Julie Alexander – A.T.S. Girl
- Dorinda Stevens – A.T.S. Girl
- Amanda Barrie – A.T.S. Girl
Production
In his memoirs, Donald Sinden recalled that the script—originally named Girls in Arms before being retitled Operation Bullshine—focused on life within the ATS. He voiced concerns about working alongside Ronald Shiner, whose broad comedic approach restricted opportunities for nuanced performance. Despite sharing the screen with accomplished actors such as Barbara Murray and Naunton Wayne, Sinden described his experience on set as rather uninspiring.
Reception
Operation Bullshine secured the position of the tenth highest-grossing British movie at the box office in 1959. Trade publications such as Kinematograph Weekly and Variety noted that the film achieved commercial results that were "above average" within the UK market during that year.