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.

---

Plot Keywords:

kleptomaniac | breaking eggs | psychiatrist | white bra and panties | white panties | 

---

Taglines:

She's Public Entertainment No. 1

---

Genres:

Comedy | Crime

---

Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

The copy of Life magazine Dr. Gregory Mannix has in his office is the May 6, 1966 issue with Jacqueline Kennedy riding a white horse in Spain on the cover.

---

Goofs

While chasing Penelope her professor lowers a lectern and Penelope clutches her hands in front of her groin. After a cut her hands are at shoulder level.

---

Quotes

James B. Elcott: [His bank has been trying to contact her regarding an inheritance] I've written you 9 times in the last 2 months... You're certain you never received any of my letters?
Penelope: Ah, I know what happened... You see, I never open my mail.
James B. Elcott: Oh. Who does it for you?
Penelope: Nobody.
James B. Elcott: What happens to it?
Penelope: Well, usually I stick it away in a drawer someplace, and then I always forget it. Or, it gets lost.
James B. Elcott: Don't you lose a lot of friends that way?
Penelope: Oh, no. Just the opposite! You see, if you write me a letter, and I answer it, then ...

---

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

The Sun Is Gray
Words and Music by Gale Garnett
Sung by Natalie Wood

User Reviews

Silly

Pretty dumb comedy about neglected wife Natalie Wood becoming a kleptomaniac to get her husband's (Ian Bannen's) attention. She even sees a psychiatrist (a very annoying Dick Shawn) to try to be cured. Then she robs her husband's bank and things just get sillier...

This isn't a total bomb. It's beautifully photographed--I've never seen NYC look like this; the settings and costumes are incredible; Wood is just gorgeous and Bannen is handsome and actually quite amusing as her husband. But two things destroy this--the script and Shawn. Shawn is WAY over the top in his performance--he's not funny just annoying. The script is pretty poor--there are a few good parts here and there but most of the comedy is just BAD!!! Wood and Bannen give it their all but the material just isn't there. The rest of the cast just overacts (horribly). It leads to a "happy" ending which had me rolling my eyes.

So it's worth seeing for Wood, Bannen, the cinematography (letter boxing is a must) and some mildly humorous material. Otherwise--forget it. I give it a 6.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 November 1966 (USA)

Also Known As:

Penelope

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

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1