'Bonnie and Clyde' Director Arthur Penn Dies at 88

Arthur Penn, director of the 1967 landmark film, 'Bonnie and Clyde,' died yesterday September 28, a day after his 88th birthday. Those close to Penn say that he had been in bad health for the past year.

Penn began his career in 1958 with the Western film, 'The Left-Handed Gun,' starring Paul Newman. In 1962, Penn directed 'The Miracle Worker,' the story of Helen Keller and her teacher Anne Sullivan. The film earned both of its stars (Anne Bancroft and Patty Duke) Academy awards. After the success of the movie, Penn directed the Broadway adaptation of 'The Miracle Worker,' also starring Bancroft and Duke.

Penn was heavily influenced by French New Wave cinema. "Arthur Penn brought the sensibility of ‘60s European art films to American movies," Paul Schrader (who penned the film 'Taxi Driver') said. "He paved the way for the new generation of American directors who came out of film schools."

'Bonnie and Clyde' was inspired by such sensibilities, capturing the counter-culture spirit of the 1960's while pushing the limits of onscreen sex and violence.

Penn also directed 'Alice's Restaurant,' based on the Arlo Guthrie song, 'Little Big Man' with Dustin Hoffman and 'The Missouri Breaks,' with Jack Nicholson and Marlon Brando.