Penelope

Fun to revisit this fav from my childhood. Wonderful restoration with great visuals and audio. Irresistible theme song that will get stuck in your head. Natalie is at her fun adorable comic self with a glorious wardrobe to match. Great to see Dick Shawn being his quirky self but it's all about Natalie whom I idolized and wished I would grow up to look like, LOL. (Didn't happen).

For literally decades I have wished for Natalie Woods 1966 movie Penelope to be released on dvd, and finally now, the Warner Brothers Archive Collection has released it on stunning Blu-ray. Many years ago, I bought this movie on dvd made by someone who copied it off the television. This television copy is fuzzy, blurry with faded color, but I was thrilled to have any copy of this hard to find movie. When I watched this new Blu-ray version, I about fell off my chair. This movie was filmed in Panavision- which plays widescreen on my television and in Metrocolor, which is so gorgeous and rich in every color. This blu-ray version is like seeing this movie on the big screen back in 1966- full widescreen, vibrant, gorgeous colors, razor sharp picture- it’s truly stunning.I love all romantic comedies from the 60's, and this features the beautiful Natalie Wood in a romantic comedy caper. As beautiful as Natalie Wood is, I have always thought she never looked more beautiful than she did in the late 60's films, like Bob & Carol and Ted & Alice and Penelope. The movie revolves around Penelope (Natalie Wood) and her banker husband James B. Elcott (Ian Bannen). Penelope feels neglected with a banker husband who spends all his time working, so she turns to taking things, like with a child who wants attention, even if it’s bad attention, only no one suspects a rich, beautiful banker’s wife would steal anything, and this is where a lot of the comedy lies. The movie takes you back in time to show us why Penelope has this problem of stealing, beginning with her College Professor Klobb played by Jonathan Winters. We get to see how she met her banker husband while singing in a Beatnik Club (and Natalie does her own singing of the song- The Sun Is Gray), The Plush Pig. The police who are involved in the bank robberies include Lt. Horatio Bixby played by Peter Falk and Penelope has a psychiatrist analyst Gregory played by the hilarious Dick Shawn. Dick Shawn needs his own analyst dealing with Natalie, and like everyone in this film can't help but fall in love with her.There are endless close-ups of Natalie and the film is restored so sharp, you can see every tiny freckle on her face- even with the softening effect they use for close ups. The film has many scenes in New York back in 1966, and I really loved when Natalie runs in and out of the exclusive Bergdorf Goodman’s, where I can window shop seeing all the gorgeous high end 60's clothes. The streets of New York are fabulous, Natalie’s gorgeous wardrobe of designer clothes costing the studio $250,000 are made by Edith Head, she lives in an absolutely stunning New York apartment decorated just gorgeous and Natalie looks beyond beautiful in every scene. Even though the script is pure fluff, like almost all the 60's romantic fun comedies, Natalie still shines. This gorgeous Blu-ray will make any die-hard Natalie Wood fan or lover of 60's fluff romantic comedies happy. There are also 2 Special Features- Edith Head Featurette showing Natalie posing in the Edith Head costumes and the Theatrical Trailer. For the rarity of seeing this film again with the beautiful Natalie Wood, filmed in New York with eye candy scenery and interiors and a great comedic supporting group of actors, even with it’s weak script and pure fluff, this gorgeously restored Blu-ray still gets 4 STARS.

"Penelope" is more than it appears to be. Sure it moves in a light hearted way but there seems to be a little bit more going on. Natalie Woods is outrageously attractive here as her character at first seems like a wide eyed shallow kleptomaniac but by the end of the movie one finds themselves openly rooting for her. My only complaint is the movie's resolution is a bit too hastily done.As mentioned the costumes by the one and only Edith Head are terrific and the cast is very good. Dick Shawn makes me laugh by just looking at him but here he is constrained more than usual. In fact the movie doesn't go for the big swing and is all the better for it. Perhaps the biggest revelation is Peter Falk as the Police lieutenant giving us a glimpse of Columbo in his embryonic stage.Your reaction to this movie might hinge on your tolerance level for this 60's style comic caper. I'm a bit of a sucker for this genre but I feel that this is truly more than just a throwaway in Natalie Wood's movie canon. I suspect time has given this cute picture a greater shine. Also a must own for anyone who loves Natalie Wood.It is very odd that Natalie didn't make another movie until three years later with the groundbreaking "Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice." Yet even after that her film work was scant. A true star whose life (and death) are wrapped in a mystery. One of these days I need to tackle one of her biographies.

Natalie Wood was perfect for this part. Free spirited and cute. So funny and surprising

Old movie, that I enjoyed years ago. Good to see it again.

When I read reviews on blue rays, I am not looking for a movie review I am looking for information/rating on the quality of the blue ray its self, especially for older films before HD/DVD & blue ray. This one is very high quality. The still frame at the start of the blue ray is very grainy but once the movie starts that is no longer the case! Picture & blue ray quality are excellent.

My daughters and I have been looking for this video for years. So glad it became available. This is such a fun video and of course, Natalie Wood was so beautiful to look at. Her wardrobe was amazing and her wigs were darling. It is the story of a bored rich bank president’s wife who robs his bank by wearing a disguise. Just a wacky, fun, mindless show that the whole family can watch and enjoy together.

It was ok for a 60’s era comedy. A little corny but glad my curiosity is over.

I bought this product, really looking forward to watching it, it's a really good film, one of Natalie's best films. only to find it very poor quality picture

For Natalie Wood fans only. Picture quality very poor being not much better than VHS tape.

Many thanks for this. I have searched for years for it and am delighted to finally have a copy.cheers Lisa

Unfortunately it turned out this was a Spanish version but I should have checked that first LOL

Cercavo questo film, rarissimo e mai pubblicato in DVD (neanche nei paesi anglofili), da tempo immemore, ringrazio quindi la A&R per averlo trovato e pubblicato. Allo stesso tempo, però, mi vedo costretto a tirare loro le orecchie, perché il prodotto non è qualitativamente all'altezza: come minimo, avrebbero dovuto abbassare il prezzo standard, perché spendere 10/12 euro per un DVD con una qualità video così modesta (praticamente un file avi) è un furto. Certo, loro si erano cautelati, mettendo le mani avanti (sul retro di copertina c'è scritto chiaramente che "la qualità e la definizione dell'immagine potrebbe non essere ottimale, in quanto la pellicola stessa è soggetta all'usura del tempo"), ma la sensazione di essere stati "fregati" rimane. Buono invece l'audio, che presenta il doppiaggio originale.Il film è una leggera e simpatica commedia senza troppe pretese, consigliata più che altro ai fan della bellissima Natalie Wood. Nel cast figura anche il futuro Tenente Colombo Peter Falk.