Selten so gelacht

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!

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.

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.

"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.

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.