"Pennies from Heaven" (1978) TV mini-series

User Rating:

8.7/10   

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

7 March 1978 (UK)

Genre:

Musical

Plot:

Arthur, a sheet music salesman, has an ear for the hit tunes, but nobody will trust it. And his imagination often bursts into full song...

Plot Keywords:

TV Mini-Series

Awards:

2 wins & 9 nominations

Cast

Bob Hoskins	...	Arthur Parker (6 episodes, 1978)
Cheryl Campbell	...	Eileen (6 episodes, 1978)
Gemma Craven	...	Joan Parker (6 episodes, 1978)
Kenneth Colley	...	The Accordion Man / ... (5 episodes, 1978)
Jenny Logan	...	Irene (3 episodes, 1978)
Freddie Jones	...	Headmaster (2 episodes, 1978)
Dave King	...	Police Inspector / ... (2 episodes, 1978)
Sam Avent	...	Pianist (2 episodes, 1978)
Arnold Peters	...	Barrett (2 episodes, 1978)
Spencer Banks	...	Maurice (2 episodes, 1978)
Michael Bilton	...	Dad (2 episodes, 1978)
Philip Jackson	...	Dave (2 episodes, 1978)
Bill Dean	...	Alf (2 episodes, 1978)
Bella Emberg	...	Mrs. Corder (2 episodes, 1978)
Children From the Forest of Dean		(2 episodes, 1978)
Yolande Palfrey	...	Blind Girl (2 episodes, 1978)

Runtime:

UK:75 min (6 parts)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Filming Locations:

London, England, UK

Company:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Trivia:

The BBC original was composed of six episodes, each a bit over an hour long. Their titles are: 1: Down Sunny Side Lane 2: Love Is The Sweetest Thing 3: Easy Come, Easy Go 4: Better Think Twice 5: Painting The Clouds 6: Says My Heart

Quotes:

Pedestrian: You all right, mate?
Accordion man: What? What?
Pedestrian: What's the matter with you, eh?
Accordion man: Oh, f... f...
Pedestrian: Hey, now now. None of that!
Accordion man: It's a f-f-fine world, sir...
Pedestrian: Are you drunk? Is that it?
Accordion man: Oh... 'tis that, 'tis that... it's a m-marvelous world, if you... look at it right... lights on the water...
Pedestrian: [handing over some change] Look here. Get yourself a cup of tea.
Accordion man: Oh... thank you very, very much sir. Thank you very, very much.

Movie Connections:

References King Kong (1933)

Soundtrack:

Pennies from Heaven

Wonderful series of musical escapism

With all the characters suddenly bursting into song, thankfully mimed to the original artists, this series made new ground. Very entertaining, lots of obscure but brilliant supporting actors, and a great script. The central role was brilliantly portrayed by Hoskin's frustrated salesman, trying to be taken seriously but also looking for satisfaction from his hopelessly frigid wife. His lust interest is one of those women who ooze sex appeal, and it's easy to understand how a man could fall when confronted with such unbridled passion. The whole series focuses on repressed desires and imagined hopes, as expressed by the episodes of song and dance. Notable is the courtroom scene in which the entire jury bursts into a routine. One to buy and keep.