Penelope (1966)

Comedy about a flighty, bored, kleptomaniac wife of a banker who robs her husband's bank of sixty thousand dollars.

Director:

Arthur Hiller

Writers:

George Wells (screenplay), Howard Fast (novel) (as E.V. Cunningham)

Stars:

Natalie Wood, Ian Bannen, Dick Shawn

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Natalie Wood	...	Penelope
Ian Bannen	...	James B. Elcott
Dick Shawn	...	Dr. Gregory Mannix
Peter Falk	...	Lt. Bixbee
Jonathan Winters	...	Professor Klobb
Lila Kedrova	...	Sadaba
Lou Jacobi	...	Ducky
Norma Crane	...	Mildred
Arthur Malet	...	Major Higgins
Jerome Cowan	...	Bank Manager
Arlene Golonka	...	Honeysuckle Rose
Amzie Strickland	...	Miss Serena
Bill Gunn	...	Sgt. Rothschild
Carl Ballantine	...	Boom Boom
Iggie Wolfington	...	Store Owner

Storyline

When James met Penelope at a club, it took all of three weeks before they were married. But after the marriage, other women became attracted to James and he kept getting promoted, which took him away from Penelope. So Penelope puts on a disguise and robs her husband's bank. Her psychiatrist, Greg, believes that this condition is caused by James being over worked and under romantic with Penelope. She also tells Greg that she robs the business associates of James. But Greg is in love with Penelope - in fact everyone likes her. The problem is when she confesses to her crimes, no one believes her.

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Plot Keywords:

kleptomaniac | psychiatrist | marital problem | based on novel | character name as title | 

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Taglines:

The worlds most beautiful bank-robber

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Genres:

Comedy | Crime

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 November 1966 (USA)

Also Known As:

Min kone er bankrøver

Filming Locations:

Museum of Modern Art, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$4,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Euterpe

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Second consecutive film starring both Natalie Wood and Peter Falk, following "The Great Race" (1965).

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Goofs

The milk on Dr. Gregory's suit disappears and the suit is completely dry from one shot to the next.

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Crazy Credits

The opening credits are animated. Black hands without a body steal the diamonds contained in the first letter in the first name of the actors and crew members.

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Connections

Featured in Penelope's Fashion Show (1966)

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Soundtracks

Penelope
Words by Leslie Bricusse
Music by John Williams (as Johnny Williams)

User Reviews

Natalie Looks Great In This Insipid Comedy

Made in 1966 during the heigth of her starpower, PENELOPE is not one of Natalie Wood's better pictures, although she looks beautiful throughout and is adorable. Natalie was dating Arthur Lowe Jr around this time and he coincidentally produced this film. Natalie was also savvy enough to surround herself with an exceptionally strong supporting cast: Peter Falk, Dick Shawn, the one note Lila Kedrova, and small parts by Jonathan Winters, and the overlooked Amzie Strickland( who still does commercials today ). STORYLINE: Natalie as PENELOPE is a gorgeous rich young wife who feels neglected by her handsome banker hubby, so she robs his bank while wearing an expensive "Givenchy" suit and spends the majority of the film either trying to get rid of or retrieve the suit ! Neither plausible, nor side splittingly funny, it is however, standard 60's lite fare. TRIVIA: The film bombed at the box office and Natalie attempted suicide not long after. Natalie didn't make another movie for 3 years after this one, returning in the smash hit BOB,CAROL,TED & ALICE. Edith Evanson, who played the look a like bank robber died exactly 1 year before Natalie on 11/29/81.