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IMDbPro

Penelope

  • 19661966
  • ApprovedApproved
  • 1h 37m
IMDb RATING
6.2/10
2K
YOUR RATING
Penelope (1966)
Penelope (Wood) marries James Elcott (Ian Bannen) after a very brief courtship, and as his star rises in the banking business, he spends less and less time with her. Penelope devises what she thinks is a good plan to get James' attention - disguising herself as an old lady and robbing his bank. Unfortunately, the robbery is successful, and now Penelope has bigger problems on her hands. Adding extra fizz to this effervescent caper comedy is buoyant and joyful music from John Williams' early days as a film composer. Williams demonstrates his skills with pop and jazz in a score that includes the title tune, featuring lyrics by Leslie Bricusse (Victor/Victoria, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory).
Play trailer2:45
1 Video
43 Photos
ComedyCrime
Comedy about a flighty, bored, kleptomaniac wife of a banker who robs her husband's bank of $60,000.Comedy about a flighty, bored, kleptomaniac wife of a banker who robs her husband's bank of $60,000.Comedy about a flighty, bored, kleptomaniac wife of a banker who robs her husband's bank of $60,000.
IMDb RATING
6.2/10
2K
YOUR RATING
    • Arthur Hiller
    • George Wells(screenplay)
    • Howard Fast(novel "Penelope")
  • Stars
    • Natalie Wood
    • Ian Bannen
    • Dick Shawn
    • Arthur Hiller
    • George Wells(screenplay)
    • Howard Fast(novel "Penelope")
  • Stars
    • Natalie Wood
    • Ian Bannen
    • Dick Shawn
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 33User reviews
    • 14Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro

    • Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:45
    Watch Official Trailer

    Photos43

    "Penelope," Natalie Wood.
    Natalie Wood viewing Henry Moore's sculpture, "Family Group," 1966, during a break of filming "Penelope."
    Natalie Wood and Peter Falk during a break from the movie "Penelope," 1966.
    Penelope (1966)
    Natalie Wood, Ian Bannen, and Norma Crane in Penelope (1966)
    Natalie Wood in Penelope (1966)
    Natalie Wood in Penelope (1966)
    Natalie Wood in Penelope (1966)
    Natalie Wood, Peter Falk, and Lila Kedrova in Penelope (1966)
    Natalie Wood, Lou Jacobi, and Lila Kedrova in Penelope (1966)
    Natalie Wood and Dick Shawn in Penelope (1966)
    Natalie Wood and Dick Shawn in Penelope (1966)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Natalie Wood
    Natalie Wood
    • Penelope
    Ian Bannen
    Ian Bannen
    • James B. Elcott
    Dick Shawn
    Dick Shawn
    • Dr. Gregory Mannix
    Peter Falk
    Peter Falk
    • Lt. Bixbee
    Jonathan Winters
    Jonathan Winters
    • Professor Klobb
    Lila Kedrova
    Lila Kedrova
    • Sadaba
    Lou Jacobi
    Lou Jacobi
    • Ducky
    Norma Crane
    Norma Crane
    • Mildred
    Arthur Malet
    Arthur Malet
    • Major Higgins
    Jerome Cowan
    Jerome Cowan
    • Bank Manager
    Arlene Golonka
    Arlene Golonka
    • Honeysuckle Rose
    Amzie Strickland
    Amzie Strickland
    • Miss Serena
    Bill Gunn
    Bill Gunn
    • Sgt. Rothschild
    Carl Ballantine
    Carl Ballantine
    • Boom Boom
    Iggie Wolfington
    • Store Owner
    Gary Bohn
    • Citizen
    • (uncredited)
    Lewis Charles
    Lewis Charles
    • Man Carrying Violin Case in Bank
    • (uncredited)
    Ron Charles
    Ron Charles
    • Truck Driver
    • (uncredited)
      • Arthur Hiller
      • George Wells(screenplay)
      • Howard Fast(novel "Penelope")
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      After "Penelope," Natalie Wood bought herself out of her Warner Bros. contract for $175,000, and fired her staff of agents, managers and lawyers. She didn't make another film for three years.
    • Goofs
      The milk on Dr. Gregory's suit disappears and the suit is completely dry from one shot to the next.
    • Quotes

      Lt. Bixbee: You see, in the neighborhood that I come from, a kid had 3 chances. He could be a hood, he could be a cop, he could be a priest. Well, I was too clumsy to steal, and we weren't Catholic.

    • 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.
    • Connections
      Featured in Penelope's Fashion Show (1966)
    • Soundtracks
      Penelope
      Words by Leslie Bricusse
      Music by John Williams (as Johnny Williams)

    User reviews33

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    6/10
    Maltin Gets It Wrong Once Again! It's actually quite fun.
    I wouldn't call it a classic, but PENELOPE is definitely a fun way to spend an afternoon. Natalie Wood is gorgeous and quite funny in the title role, and she has an amazing wardrobe. Dick Shawn and Peter Falk (practicing for COLUMBO?) provide strong supporting performances as a psychiatrist and a police lieutenant, respectively. Unfortunately, Ian Bannen lacks charisma, making it hard to believe that "Penelope" would choose his character over every other man in NYC. With its bright, bold colors and criminal exploits, PENELOPE plays like an extended episode of the "Batman" TV series. In fact, the film includes a reference to Batman. Definitely a must-see for Natalie Wood fans.
    helpful•48
    4
    • claudenorth
    • Jul 26, 2005

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 10, 1966 (United States)
      • United States
      • English
    • Also known as
    • Filming locations
      • Museum of Modern Art, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA
    • Production company
      • Euterpe
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • 1 hour 37 minutes
      • Color

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