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.

It's the opening of the City Federal Bank and an old lady with a gun is robbing the bank. It's a costume. It's Penelope Elcott (Natalie Wood), the wife of the bank manager James Elcott (Ian Bannen). She escapes and police Lieutenant Horatio Bixbee (Peter Falk) investigates. She tells her psychiatrist Gregory the many times of her kleptomania but he refuses to accept it.

This is a comedy without laughs. I'm not sure where the jokes are supposed to be coming from. Natalie Wood is trying to be wacky but she's not actually funny. The only potential is that nobody ever suspects her despite the clues being all there. The problem is that she's not actually trying to hide. I must wonder if the robber's identity remaining secret until the last act would be helpful. She could play dumb for the whole movie and the reveal would shock the audience. The whole psychiatrist section is a drag. There is no tension or comedy coming from the flashbacks. Other than the opening sequence, this has no tension and nothing is funny.

"Penelope" is a Natalie Wood film with some redeeming qualities, though mostly it's tiresome and about as subtle as a stripper at a Baptist picnic!

Penelope (Wood) is a screwball who is married to a 5th Avenue banker. Despite them having lots of money, she's a compulsive thief...and the film begins with her robbing her husband's bank! Along with her psychiatrist, they come to realize that she has stolen for years but it's out of control now because she is doing this to get her inattentive husband's attention. So, she then realizes that she should let the husband know....but he and the police don't believe her. This leads to one of the only funny portions of the film...when she is HAPPY to see blackmailers come to threaten to tell her husband she's a thief! What's next? See the film.

"Penelope" is a very uneven movie. Too often, it lacks subtlety and resorts to very cheap laughs (complete with kooky sound effects) instead of intelligent writing. It's not all bad....but mostly bad. I cannot blame the actors...they are pretty good (including Peter Falk in a role much like his later Columbo). No, the writing (and to a lesser extent the direction) that are the problem. Interesting but highly flawed.

By the way, if you do see the movie, you might also find it surprising to see Arlene Galonka playing a prostitute. Normally on TV she played sweet roles on wholesome shows like "Mayberry RFD"!!