Arthur Penn, the stage, television and motion picture director – most famous for this 1967 film “Bonnie and Clyde” – has died at the age of 88.
Penn began work in the 1950s on live TV, directing dozens of performances throughout the decade. He would earn an Emmy nomination in 1957 for his TV play ‘The Miracle Worker’. He would move the play to Broadway in 1959, earning himself a Tony, and then to the big screen in 1962, earning an Oscar nomination for his work.
Penn would continue to work in TV, film and Broadway throughout the 60s, but it was the 1967 film ‘Bonnie and Clyde’ that would be his defining moment. The film’s treatment of sex and violence brought a decidedly European sensibility to the Hollywood film, and would pave the way for a new generation of American directors. Films like the ‘Godfather’, ‘Mean Streets’ and ‘Taxi Driver’ would not have happened without Penn’s revolutionary film. ‘Bonnie and Clyde’ made stars of Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty, and would receive 10 Oscar nominations.
Penn would continue to make films with mixed results over the next three decades. ‘Alice’s Restaurant’, ‘Little Big Man’ and ‘Night Moves’ were modest critical and commercial successes in the 70s, but his subsequent projects yielded mixed results.
Penn is survived by his wife, actress Peggy Mauer, and their two children.