Arthur Penn has proved himself a true triple threat during his career, achieving extraordinary success as a director of live television dramas, Broadway plays and feature films. Like Sidney Lumet and John Frankenheimer, he owes a huge debt to the crucible of TV's "Golden Age", but it is Elia Kazan he resembles most in his sympathy for actors, the flights of fancy he allows and the incredible range of expression he elicits. Penn understands the poetry of close camera work, acknowledging that words are to the theater what actions are for film ("A look, a simple look, will do it"), his use of
Moved with his mother and older brother Irving to NYC following his parents' divorce; between the ages of eight and ten attended at least 12 different grammar schools
Returned to Philadelphia to live with his father when he was 14
Worked for local radio station in Philadelphia
1943
Served in US Army during WWII
Formed dramatic group in Fort Jackson, South Carolina while in military service; met future associate, producer Fred Coe
