Penelope (1966)

Penelope: Directed by Arthur Hiller. With Natalie Wood, Ian Bannen, Dick Shawn, Peter Falk. Comedy about a flighty, bored, kleptomaniac wife of a banker who robs her husband’s bank of sixty thousand dollars.

“Made in 1966 during the heigth of her starpower, PENELOPE is not one of Natalie Woodu0026#39;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 u0026quot;Givenchyu0026quot; 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 60u0026#39;s lite fare. TRIVIA: The film bombed at the box office and Natalie attempted suicide not long after. Natalie didnu0026#39;t make another movie for 3 years after this one, returning in the smash hit BOB,CAROL,TED u0026amp; ALICE. Edith Evanson, who played the look a like bank robber died exactly 1 year before Natalie on 11/29/81.”