Penelope

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.

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.

Enjoyed this slap-stick film which dealt with all kinds of crazy things that Natalie Wood,(Penelope Elcott) "Sex & The Single Girl",'64, managed to get involved with, in order to get the attention of her husband, a Bank Executive. There are lots of laughs in this film and Natalie Woods had just gotten a divorce from Robert Wagner when she made this film and still managed to give a great charming and sexy role, where she runs around in her bra and panties. Peter Falk,(Lt. Horatio Bixbee),"Columbo TV Series" plays a police officer and seems to be captivated by the wiggle of Penelope's body and takes exceptions to putting her in jail when she really commits a bad crime against her poor husband. It is rather sad to view this film and see a beautiful Natalie Wood and realize she had to die in such a horrible way in life.

I was 16 when this movie came out and completely overlooked it. I'm afraid I was more into the new wave at the Paris than this kind of thing at the mall.

I saw it 30 years later and was astounded by the beautiful and to my eye authentic documentation of New York City at a moment of awesome and perishable beauty--a phrase that describes equally well the amazing Natalie Wood. The screenplay is a failed attempt at a 60s 'modern' screwball comedy, but the film work and editing are wonderful, and the camera has loved very few people with the intensity it loves Natalie Wood who glows in the wonderful 60s fashions.

Alright so it's not the greatest film in the world BUT I must recommend it anyway especially to those fans of the fabulously fun era of the late 60's. That 60's vibe is evident throughout the film. And I was surprised to hear "Johnny" Williams aprapos and quality score complete with Penelope theme song. Natalie Wood as Penelope is stunning and is also featured on a vocal number at the local "beatnik" club (now you don't want to miss that do you?) Peter Falk is the detective on Penelope's trail previewing his future role as Columbo and there are also many recognizable actors of that era in the film as well. Natalie Wood was very depressed over the lack of appreciation for this film but regained her career momentum with the success of "Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice" 3 years later.