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Pennies from Heaven

  • TV Mini Series
  • 1978–19791978–1979
  • 7h 30m
IMDb RATING
8.4/10
1.1K
YOUR RATING
Episode guide
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Pennies from Heaven (1978)
  • Drama
  • Musical
  • Romance
A travelling sheet music salesman with an uptight wife throws everything away for the love of an innocent school teacher in the romantic spirit of the music he loves, that bursts into his li... Read allA travelling sheet music salesman with an uptight wife throws everything away for the love of an innocent school teacher in the romantic spirit of the music he loves, that bursts into his life in full song-and-dance numbers.A travelling sheet music salesman with an uptight wife throws everything away for the love of an innocent school teacher in the romantic spirit of the music he loves, that bursts into his life in full song-and-dance numbers.
IMDb RATING
8.4/10
1.1K
YOUR RATING
  • Stars
    • Cheryl Campbell
    • Bob Hoskins
    • Gemma Craven
Top credits
  • Stars
    • Cheryl Campbell
    • Bob Hoskins
    • Gemma Craven
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 20User reviews
    • 7Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Won 1 BAFTA Award
      • 2 wins & 9 nominations total

    Episodes6

    Browse episodes
    TopTop-rated
    1 Season

    Photos

    Pennies from Heaven (1978)
    Pennies from Heaven (1978)
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    Top cast

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    Cheryl Campbell
    Cheryl Campbell
    • Eileenas Eileen
    6 episodes6 eps • 1978
    Bob Hoskins
    Bob Hoskins
    • Arthur Parkeras Arthur Parker
    6 episodes6 eps • 1978
    Gemma Craven
    Gemma Craven
    • Joan Parkeras Joan Parker
    6 episodes6 eps • 1978
    Kenneth Colley
    Kenneth Colley
    • Accordion Manas Accordion Man…
    6 episodes6 eps • 1978
    Jenny Logan
    • Ireneas Irene
    3 episodes3 eps • 1978
    Dave King
    Dave King
    • Police Inspectoras Police Inspector
    2 episodes2 eps • 1978
    Freddie Jones
    Freddie Jones
    • Headmasteras Headmaster
    2 episodes2 eps • 1978
    Arnold Peters
    • Barrettas Barrett
    2 episodes2 eps • 1978
    Sam Avent
    • Pianistas Pianist
    2 episodes2 eps • 1978
    Philip Jackson
    Philip Jackson
    • Daveas Dave
    2 episodes2 eps • 1978
    Michael Bilton
    • Dadas Dad
    2 episodes2 eps • 1978
    Spencer Banks
    Spencer Banks
    • Mauriceas Maurice
    2 episodes2 eps • 1978
    Bill Dean
    Bill Dean
    • Alfas Alf
    2 episodes2 eps • 1978
    Bella Emberg
    Bella Emberg
    • Mrs. Corderas Mrs. Corder
    2 episodes2 eps • 1978
    Children From the Forest of Dean
    • School Childrenas School Children
    2 episodes2 eps • 1978
    Yolande Palfrey
    • Blind Girlas Blind Girl
    2 episodes2 eps • 1978
    Tony Caunter
    • Cafe Proprietoras Cafe Proprietor
    1 episode1 ep • 1978
    Peter Cellier
    Peter Cellier
    • Bank Manageras Bank Manager
    1 episode1 ep • 1978
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      This was the last of Dennis Potter's television dramas to be filmed in the 'hybrid' format of studio videotape and location 16mm film.
    • Quotes

      Arthur Parker: I'd rather be a Yank.

      Eileen Everson: Pardon?

      Arthur: They got the best songs.

      Eileen: What's that got to do with it!

      Arthur: I want to... I know it sounds daft Eileen, but I want to live in a world where the songs is...

      Eileen: Where the songs come true.

      Arthur: Yes.

    • Connections
      Featured in Night of a Thousand Shows (2000)

    User reviews20

    Review
    Top review
    10/10
    Brilliantly evokes the hopes and despairs of humanity
    Dennis Potter's PENNIES FROM HEAVEN is a masterpiece of both style and substance. It is a masterpiece of style in that it vividly conjures the look and atmosphere of mid 1930s England. This setting perfectly complements the original recordings of Depression era songs that emerge from the characters' mouths when they try to express themselves. It is a masterpiece of substance in that it is a riveting drama, sometimes exhilarating, sometimes poignant, sometimes both simultaneously.

    PENNIES FROM HEAVEN dramatizes the trials and tribulations of Arthur Parker (Bob Hoskins), a song sheet salesman who unceasingly hopes the lyrics of the music he tries to peddle will become reality. It is a compelling story not only because of the novel use of lip synching to illustrate Parker's and the other characters' fantasies, but because of Potter's stark contrast between the songs' cheery lyrics and the characters' troubled lives. PENNIES also benefits from the cast's persuasive performances, especially Hoskins, Gemma Craven as his repressed wife Joan and Cheryl Campbell as a shy schoolteacher Arthur's infatuated with. One feels great empathy for the characters, even though they are flawed, because one can easily identify with their wishes and frustrations.

    On one level, PENNIES FROM HEAVEN is a chilling cautionary tale- a warning that dreams of paradise are folly because life is cruel and hard. On another level, it is an inspiring story of hope- that even when life is at its most grim, we can always lift our spirits with those same dreams. Whatever message one may perceive, PENNIES FROM HEAVEN is thoroughly moving and absorbing, a testimony to the late Dennis Potter's genius.
    helpful•43
    1
    • RJV
    • Nov 18, 1999

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 8, 1979 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Tanz in den Wolken
    • Filming locations
      • London, England, UK
    • Production company
      • British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      7 hours 30 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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