Penelope

Not very good, but it does have its moments. What's really fun is watching Peter Falk in his proto-Columbo role as Lt. Bixbee. Oh, and a great '60s pop title theme by John Williams when he was still going by "Johnny."

Lighthearted comedy that looks at the awful plight of a housewife in the mid-60s. Ignored at home by a lecherous yet robotic husband, Penelope robs his bank in retaliation. Natalie Wood has the right mix of beauty and humor to sell herself as someone driven into action by a male-centered world. The ending ain't great, but Falk and Shawn elevate it with a nice screwball grace. (Sidenote: the weird mid-60s 'sexual assault can be hilarious' trope pops up once more. Not Winters' finest moment.)

Passable but unremarkable comedy isn't helped by an uncharacteristically grating performance by Wood in the lead (playing a fairly obnoxious character) and a meandering screenplay devoid of any narrative thrust. What it does have are some fine performances in support, with especially notable work from Falk, and generally pleasing, attractive cinematography and costume design.