What a Bomb! - Penelope (1966) Discussion

[–] davidemartin 16 years ago

Let me guess... you're under 20?
PENELOPE is a fine example of a 60s screwball romantic comedy. But kids and the film-ignorant probably have difficulty appreciating it.

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[–] lastmidnite2 16 years ago

I'm 50, and enjoy GOOD screwball comedies alot.

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[–] davidemartin 16 years ago

I'm 52. Yes I saw this as a kid and yes I do have a nostalgic fondness for it.
Admittedly the pace is more reserved than the manic nature of something MAD MAD MAD MAD WORLD. It probably could have benefited from tighter editing and less loving reverence for Natalie Wood's magnificent beauty.
And it was interesting seeing Ian Bannen as a young man.

But "Bomb"? Hardly.

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[–] lastmidnite2 16 years ago

I could be wrong, but if you had seen this today for the first time, as I did, you might share my opinion. For example, my favorite movie of all time is Hush Hush Sweet Charlotte, because it scared the hell out of me when I was 6, and I still love it today. One could even say I'm a bit obsessed with it! But when I tell friends who've never seen it to watch it, they look at me afterward and say "huh???", lol. So, movies that you see as a kid can have a lifelong effect on you!

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[–] Eric-62-2 16 years ago

I saw it for the first time just a few years ago, as an adult and found it was amusing for what it was. Not the greatest of comedies, but an entertaining pleasant diversion thanks to its cast (seeing Falk tuning up for "Columbo" and even wearing the same suit he would wear as Columbo is worth the time), infectious John Williams score (his best 60s comedic score along with "How To Steal A Million") and the New York location work.

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[–] MisterDenton 16 years ago

Far from perfect, but equally far from being a bomb. This had fun 60's flair, and some mild, though amusing, humor. Good acting and nice art direction. Enjoyable overall.

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[–] wowcharlie3 16 years ago

I think it's pretty awful, but it was the first movie I had ever seen Natalie Wood in, and I was just mesmerized by her. Those enormous eyes, that smile! She is still my favorite actress all these years later, and I'm talking about forty.

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[–] 16 years ago

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[–] 16 years ago

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[–] dzizwheel 13 years ago

This was one of my favorites as a kid. Saw it again a few years ago and was appalled. Watched it again last night, not too bad. Much better than Sex and The Single Girl. Another that I liked when it was on network "Movie Of The Week" scheduling.
Awfully contrived and not really believable but harmless. And Natalie Wood is wonderful to see.

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[–] MsELLERYqueen2 13 years ago

I'm watching it now for the first time, and I think it's a fun movie. Okay, the attempted rape scene should have been left out, but oh well. I'm only 36 years old, by the way.

~~
Jim Hutton: talented gorgeous hot hunk; adorable as ElleryQueen; SEXIEST ACTOR EVER

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[–] elisedfr 12 years ago

I'm 20, my sister is 17 and we both enjoyed the film very much. Granted, it's not "high cinema" and all that jazz. But it's funny, sweet, sophisticated ane entertaining, much in the same fashion than Sex And The Single Girl, with some lengths now and then but charming performers. Natalie Wood seemed to be lovelier and lovelier with every year and picture going by, and this is one of her peaks. She's also really quirky and breezy in the leading part. I did not care so much for Dick Shawn (he's just too eccentric to really be amazed by Penelope's strange behaviour) and I could have done without overracting Lila Kedrova, but Ian Bannen and Peter Falk are two of my very favourites actors of all time and it was extremely fun and interesting to see them both in their young days, Falk in a pre-Columbo fashion, and Bannen in an unusual but very well done comedy part. For the three of them, Nat, Ian and Peter, all so cute and youthful, I guess I'watch the film again in the future !

" You ain't running this place, Bert, WILLIAMS is!" Sgt Harris

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[–] rkg313 9 years ago

I applaud you and your sister for your interest in vintage cinema.

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[–] FabinhoDantasFlappers 9 years ago

That's great. I'm 30 and I watched Penelope for the fist time when I was a kid. It's a charming, smart, sophisticated and funny comedy! :)

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[–] first-things-first 11 years ago

Watching it now, and I like it, especially the scene where they were dancing in suits and ties, lol.

If we can save humanity, we become the caretakers of the world

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[–] seahawk3133 10 years ago

Saw it for first time...My parents hadn't even met when it came out...
If you are expecting an all-time great movie, you will be disappointed
But if you want an entertaining non-serious comedy, this fits the bill...

6 / 10

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