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Pennies from Heaven 

| Drama , Musical | TV Mini-Series (1978– )
Episode Guide
6 episodes
Pennies from Heaven Poster
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 | See full cast & crew »
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1  
1978  
2 wins & 9 nominations. See more awards »

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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 Jenny Logan ...  Irene 3 episodes, 1978
Dave King ...  Police Inspector 2 episodes, 1978
Freddie Jones ...  Headmaster 2 episodes, 1978
Sam Avent Sam Avent ...  Pianist 2 episodes, 1978
Arnold Peters Arnold Peters ...  Barrett 2 episodes, 1978
Spencer Banks Spencer Banks ...  Maurice 2 episodes, 1978
Michael Bilton 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 Children From the Forest of Dean ...  School Children 2 episodes, 1978
Yolande Palfrey Yolande Palfrey ...  Blind Girl 2 episodes, 1978
See full cast »
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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. Written by Kathy Li

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

tv mini series | See All (1) »

Genres:

Drama | Musical

Parents Guide:

Add content advisory for parents »
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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 March 1978 (UK) See more »

Also Known As:

Filléreső See more »

Filming Locations:

London, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) See more »
Show more on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

(6 parts)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1
See full technical specs »
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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 See more »

Quotes

Arthur: Hang on! I've got an itchy conk. I said hang on! Will somebody scratch me nose for me? Bloody hell.
See more »

Connections

Spoofed in Harry & Paul's Story of the 2s (2014) See more »

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User Reviews

 
Pennies From Heaven - One of the best
29 August 2006 | by vwalane – See all my reviews

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.
12 of 13 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you? | Report this
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