Pennies from Heaven 

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, building musical numbers around the greatest ... See full summary »

Stars:

Cheryl Campbell, Bob Hoskins, Gemma Craven

2 wins & 9 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Cheryl Campbell	...	Eileen 6 episodes, 1978
Bob Hoskins	...	Arthur Parker 6 episodes, 1978
Gemma Craven	...	Joan Parker 6 episodes, 1978
Kenneth Colley	...	Accordion Man / ... 6 episodes, 1978
Jenny Logan	...	Irene 3 episodes, 1978
Dave King	...	Police Inspector 2 episodes, 1978
Freddie Jones	...	Headmaster 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	...	School Children 2 episodes, 1978
Yolande Palfrey	...	Blind Girl 2 episodes, 1978

Storyline

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, building musical numbers around the greatest frustrations in his life. He meets an innocent young school teacher, Eileen, who seems to hear the same music, but when Eileen learns that he's married, and that she's pregnant with his child, she runs away. Arthur gives up everything to find and protect her, but fate and the music haven't finished with Arthur Parker.

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Plot Keywords:

tv mini series | 

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Genres:

Drama | Musical

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

8 February 1979 (USA)

Also Known As:

Filléreső

Filming Locations:

London, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

75 min (6 parts)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

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

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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.

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Connections

Follows ITV Sunday Night Theatre: Moonlight on the Highway (1969)

User Reviews

Pennies From Heaven - One of the best

This series first aired when I was completing my school career and encouraged me to watch other Dennis Potter work. I have watched re-runs and the series on DVD many times since and I am still struck by new and startling elements in it's writing. It is one of the finest pieces of television the BBC ever produced. Dennis Potter was a unique talent with an ear for how people spoke and the ability to cut through the words to get to the truth. Not all his work was to the standard of Pennies From Heaven but it was always engaging and thought-provoking. This series is in the top 25 of the BFI's poll of best television and rightly so.

If you have never seen it, watch it and if you saw it years ago, it bears re-watching. Great writing like this always offers something new and fresh.