The Wackiest Ship in the Army. A World War II farce about a rickety schooner's passage through a Jap-infested ocean is floated only through the splendiferous shenanigans of Jack Lemmon, whose comic art portrays the hopelessly normal joe in hopelessly insane situations.
Where the Boys Are. A corny, raucous outburst of sorority sex-talk on Florida spring vacations that intellectual moviegoers will loathe themselves for liking.
Ballad of a Soldier (in Russian). The vehemently original, vibrantly beautiful, richly humorous story of a 19-year-old soldier's furlough trip across battle-churned Russia.
The Grass Is Greener. A British comedy of manors is skillfully brought off by Gary Grant, as an earl who opens his stately home to the public and is cuckolded by Robert Mitchum, playing a cartoon American.
Make Mine Mink. British Comedian Terry-Thomas' usual weedy charm and blithering idiocy enliven a piece about a retired major turned modern Robin Hood.
Other notable current attractions: The Angry Silence, Tunes of Glory, Exodus, The Sundowners and The Virgin Spring.
TELEVISION
Tues., Jan. 24
Expedition! (ABC, 7-7:30 p.m.).* "The Lost World of the Kalahari," a safari to find the last of the Bushmen.
The Red Skelton Show (CBS, 9:30-10 p.m.). A spontaneous, taped tête-a-tête between Jackie Gleason and Arthur Godfrey fills in for the recuperating Skelton.
Wed., Jan. 25
Perry Como's Music Hall (NBC, 9-10 p.m.). Peggy Lee and Shelley Berman enliven the Comotose, always dependable proceedings. Color.
The United States Steel Hour (CBS, 10-11 p.m.). "The Devil Makes Sunday," a story of rebellion in an island penal colony near Australia, serves to introduce Actress Brooke Hayward, 23-year-old daughter of the late Margaret Sullavan and Leland Hayward.
Fri., Jan. 27
Sing Along with Mitch (NBC, 9-10 p.m.). Premiere of biweekly Mitch Miller show that promises to become the biggest, most atonal intercommunity sing in history. Color.
Sat., Jan. 28
Professional Basketball (NBC, 1:30-4 p.m.). New York Knickerbockers v. Philadelphia Warriors.
Championship College Basketball (ABC, 2 p.m. to final buzzer). Marquette v. Bradley.
The Nation's Future (NBC, 9:30-10 p.m.). Prominent Cincinnati Attorney and Episcopal Layman Charles P. Taft takes the affirmative on "Should a Church Pulpit Be a Political Rostrum?" The naysayer: Roman Catholic Layman William F. Buckley, editor of the spiky, ultra-conservative National Review.
Fight of the Week (ABC, 10 p.m. to conclusion). Florentine Fernandez, hard-punching Cuban welterweight, battles veteran Middleweight Rory Calhoun.
Sun., Jan. 29
Directions '61 (ABC, 1-1:30 p.m.). The religious program offers Jewish folk songs by Theodore Bikel.
Twentieth Century (CBS, 6:30-7 p.m.). "Ireland: The Tear and the Smile," the first of a two-program report, with guests ranging from Eamon de Valera to Brendan Behan.
The Dinah Shore Show (NBC, 9-10 p.m.). "Swinging at the Summit," a not entirely exaggerated description of Dinah Shore's guest list, which includes Kay Starr, Tony Bennett, Harpo Marx, George Shearing and Louis Armstrong. Color.