Born in 1938, Paula Prentiss emerged as a notable figure in American cinema, particularly during the 1960s and 1970s. Known for her sharp wit and engaging performances, she appeared in What's New Pussycat? (1965), where her comedic timing shone alongside a star-studded cast. Prentiss also took on a more dramatic role in Crazy Joe (1974), further demonstrating her range as an actress. Her work continues to resonate within the cult cinema community, making her a key player in the exploration of genre-blending films.
What's New Pussycat?
Notorious womanizer Michael James (Peter O'Toole) wants to be faithful to his fiancée Carole Werner (Romy Schneider), but every woman he meets seems to fall in love with him, including neurotic exotic dancer Liz Bien (Paula Prentiss) and parachutist Rita (Ursula Andress) who accidentally lands in his car. His psychoanalyst, Dr. Fritz Fassbender (Peter Sellers), cannot help, since he is stalking patient Renée Lefebvre (Capucine), who in turn longs for Michael. Carole, meanwhile, decides to make Michael jealous by flirting with his nervous wreck of a friend, Victor Shakapopulis (Woody Allen). A catastrophe appears on the horizon when all the characters check into a quaint hideaway hotel in the French countryside for the weekend, unaware of each other's presence. Michael tries to fend off Renée's advances by steering Fassbender her way, but Fassbender's wife Anna is determined to keep him to herself. By the time Michael finally is able to meet Carole's parents and agree to settle down, he and Fassbender both catch the eye of yet another young woman, creating the distinct possibility of the whole thing happening all over again.
