How To Steal A Million

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US 1966, d William Wyler

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Stung somewhat by the criticism aimed at her Eliza Dolittle incarnation, Hepburn tried to revisit former glories by hooking up with two directors she trusted: William Wyler and Stanley Donen. Unfortunately, the films they made (How To Steal A Million and Two For The Road respectively) were modish, very 60s affairs, and though her leading men were gifted, charismatic and close to her own age, neither Peter O'Toole nor Albert Finney caused any sparks to fly. Their acting styles, honed in the crucible of post war British theatre, clashed badly with Hepburn's old time Hollywood movie star technique. As Wilder said, she belonged entirely to her time, but she was also smart enough to know that time had passed.