A Ticklish Affair (1963)

In the heart of San Diego, nestled near Halsey Field, a naval base, lives the resilient navy widow Amy Martin. She shares her home with her three spirited adolescent sons - Luke, Alex, and Grover Martin - and Grover's imaginary confidant, Harrigan. A navy brat herself, Amy's life has been intricately woven with the navy's vibrant fabric. Yet, the longing for her departed son and brother echoes in the hearts of her family, including her sister-in-law, Tandy Martin, and father-in-law, Captain Martin, who yearn for Amy to embrace the next chapter of her life. Amy's life takes a captivating turn when she stumbles upon the charming Navy Commander Key Wheedon, stationed at Halsey Field. An undeniable attraction sparks between them, giving rise to a whirlwind romance that dances around Key's avowed bachelorhood and Amy's desire for stability, away from the transient nature of military life. Despite these reservations, love prevails, leaving them questioning their previous assertions when Key is assigned to a naval base in Italy. Meanwhile, an unexpected adventure unravels when one of Amy's sons unintentionally sends out a distress signal in Morse code using his bedroom window blinds. It catches the attention of Commander Weedon and his crew, setting in motion a chain of events that binds Amy's life even more deeply to the navy. The commander, smitten by Amy's resilience and charm, proposes marriage, but she hesitates, reluctant to plunge her family into the nomadic lifestyle that comes with being a navy wife. However, her family isn't ready to drop anchor just yet. A cleverly hatched plan by little Grover and his imaginary friend Harrigan, aided unintentionally by Amy's globetrotting pilot brother Cy, might just sway Amy's heart towards the sea again. "A Ticklish Affair" is a heartwarming tale of love, family, and the challenges of military life, where the characters grapple with their desires, duty, and the unpredictable currents of fate. It is a story that navigates through the rough seas of life-altering decisions, guided by the beacon of love, anchored in hope and resilience.

A Ticklish Affair is a comedy movie featuring Shirley Jones.

A Ticklish Affair is currently streaming on TCM.