Petticoat Pirates
| Company type | Film |
|---|---|
| Industry | Motion picture |
| Founded | 1961 |
| Headquarters | London , United Kingdom |
| Products | Comedy film |
Petticoat Pirates is a British comedy motion picture from 1961, helmed by director David MacDonald. The cast features Charlie Drake, Anne Heywood, Cecil Parker, and John Turner. Its debut took place on 30 November 1961 at London's West End venue, the Warner Theatre.
Plot
Anne Stevens, a Wren Officer, leads a group of 150 women advocating for their right to serve aboard naval vessels, insisting they are equally capable as their male counterparts. When their request is refused, they commandeer a frigate, detain the minimal crew on board, and set off to sea. In doing so, they unintentionally become part of a joint naval training operation involving British and American fleets.
Production
This project marked Anne Heywood's initial film appearance following her departure from the Rank Organisation.
Box office
According to Kinematograph Weekly, the movie was considered a "money maker" in the British cinema market during 1962.
Critical
The Monthly Film Bulletin highlighted two sequences showcasing Charlie Drake's comedic talent as standout moments, describing the humor as robust yet somewhat crude. However, it criticized the remainder of the film for its lackluster and ineffective approach to British farce.
Film historian Leslie Halliwell described it as an "uncertain comedy fantasy."
In The Radio Times Guide to Films, the movie received a rating of 1 out of 5 stars, with particular criticism aimed at the screenplay co-authored by TV comedian Charlie Drake. Drake also played a shy stoker who disguises himself as a Wren to retrieve a battleship taken over by an exclusively female crew.