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IMDbPro

Pennies from Heaven

  • 19811981
  • RR
  • 1h 48m
IMDb RATING
6.5/10
5.9K
YOUR RATING
Pennies from Heaven (1981)
Watch the trailer for Pennies from Heaven, starring Steve Martin and Bernadette Peters.
Play trailer3:06
2 Videos
82 Photos
DramaMusicalRomance
During the Great Depression, a sheet-music salesman seeks to escape his dreary life through popular music and a love affair with an innocent schoolteacher.During the Great Depression, a sheet-music salesman seeks to escape his dreary life through popular music and a love affair with an innocent schoolteacher.During the Great Depression, a sheet-music salesman seeks to escape his dreary life through popular music and a love affair with an innocent schoolteacher.
IMDb RATING
6.5/10
5.9K
YOUR RATING
    • Herbert Ross
    • Dennis Potter(written for the screen by)
  • Stars
    • Steve Martin
    • Bernadette Peters
    • Jessica Harper
    • Herbert Ross
    • Dennis Potter(written for the screen by)
  • Stars
    • Steve Martin
    • Bernadette Peters
    • Jessica Harper
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 78User reviews
    • 48Critic reviews
    • 64Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 3 Oscars

    Videos2

    Pennies from Heaven: Trailer
    Trailer 3:06
    Watch Pennies from Heaven: Trailer
    Pennies from Heaven
    Trailer 3:06
    Watch Pennies from Heaven

    Photos82

    Steve Martin, Bernadette Peters, and Jessica Harper in Pennies from Heaven (1981)
    Steve Martin in Pennies from Heaven (1981)
    Bernadette Peters in Pennies from Heaven (1981)
    "Pennies From Heaven" Steve Martin, Bernadette Peters 1982 MGM
    "Pennies From Heaven" Bernadette Peters 1982 MGM
    "Pennies From Heaven" Bernadette Peters 1982 MGM
    "Pennies From H eaven" Steve Martin 1982 MGM
    "Pennies From Heaven" Bernadette Peters 1982 MGM
    "Pennies From Heaven" Steve Martin 1982 MGM
    "Pennies From Heaven" Steve Martin 1982 MGM
    "Pennies From Heaven" Steve Martin 1982 MGM
    "Pennies From Heaven" Christopher Walken 1982 MGM

    Top cast

    Edit
    Steve Martin
    Steve Martin
    • Arthur
    Bernadette Peters
    Bernadette Peters
    • Eileen
    Jessica Harper
    Jessica Harper
    • Joan
    Vernel Bagneris
    Vernel Bagneris
    • The Accordion Man
    John McMartin
    John McMartin
    • Mr. Warner
    John Karlen
    John Karlen
    • The Detective
    Jay Garner
    • The Banker
    Robert Fitch
    • Al
    Tommy Rall
    Tommy Rall
    • Ed
    Eliska Krupka
    • The Blind Girl
    Christopher Walken
    Christopher Walken
    • Tom
    Francis X. McCarthy
    Francis X. McCarthy
    • The Bartender
    • (as Frank McCarthy)
    Raleigh Bond
    Raleigh Bond
    • Mr. Barrett
    Gloria LeRoy
    Gloria LeRoy
    • A Prostitute
    Nancy Parsons
    Nancy Parsons
    • The Old Whore
    Toni Kaye
    • Tart
    Shirley Kirkes Mar
    • Tart
    • (as Shirley Kirkes)
    Jack Fletcher
    Jack Fletcher
    • Elevator Operator
      • Herbert Ross
      • Dennis Potter(written for the screen by) (based on original material by)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Christopher Walken's bar-top dance scene took two months of rehearsal and two days of shooting. He claims he got compliments later from fans Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly.
    • Goofs
      In the classroom, a modern Canadian flag can be seen. It wasn't designed until 1964.
    • Quotes

      Joan Parker: [referring to Arthur's male organ, after discovering he's having an affair] Cut his thing off.

      [the detective shows a look of shock and disgust]

      Joan Parker: I want them to cut his thing off and bury it!

    • Connections
      Featured in 39th Annual Golden Globe Awards (1982)
    • Soundtracks
      Pennies from Heaven
      (1936)

      Written by Johnny Burke and Arthur Johnston

      Published by Intersong Music

      Performed by Arthur Tracy

      Courtesy of Decca Co. Ltd

      Later sung by Steve Martin (uncredited)

    User reviews78

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    8/10
    Dark story thats expertly made
    This film in a way reminded me of the recent "Far from Heaven" in that it captures the spirit of an art form but doesn't ignore the harsh realities of life. Story is about a sheet music salesman named Arthur Parker (Steve Martin) and its set in the depression era. Parker is married to frigid Joan (Jessica Harper) and after being turned down repeatedly by her he leaves and says he's not coming back. On the road he picks up a homeless accordion player (Vernel Bagneris) and head into the next town. While there he spots a local school teacher named Eileen (Bernadette Peters) and is smitten at first sight. He courts her and one night he gets intimate but Eileen gets pregnant and has to leave her job at the school. Meanwhile, Arthur has gone back to his wife and they try to make their marriage work so she loans him some money to open a music store. Eileen has become desperate and goes into a sleazy bar and meets a pimp named Tom (Christopher Walken) and there she says her name from now on is Lulu. She becomes a prostitute and one night on the streets meets Arthur and they get back together and decide to run off together leaving Joan behind. Meanwhile, the accordion player see's a blind girl and rapes and kills her. The girl had talked to Arthur before and the cops follow the clues that lead to him so Arthur is now a wanted man. Film is directed by Herbert Ross who has a background in music and he brings a totally convincing look from the 30's and the small details in every shot add so much flavor to this film. The films cinematographer is the great Gordon Willis who shot many of Woody Allen's films as well as the "Godfather" trilogy. Willis shot this film in a grainy and dark mode to give the reality sequences of the film a stark contrast to some of the brighter moments that take place during the song and dance numbers. I thought the performances were arguably some of the best that some of these actors have ever done. Walken was taught at a young age to be a song and dance man and as far as I know its the only time he has shown his real talent on film. We already knew what a wonderful singer Peters is but the one scene that stood out for me was when she was in the bar and agreeing to Walkens character that she would be willing to do anything for a fin. It was a convincing job of desperation on her part and its a moving scene in the film. What more can you say about Martin? The first time he opens his mouth to lip sync a song you can't help but laugh but with Martin he makes it appear more than silly. It wouldn't have worked with another actor but Martin brings so much to his screen presence that it appears to be okay that he's doing this. The dance number that he and two other men perform in the film is nothing short of astonishing to watch. I can't imagine how much training he went through for that scene. As great as Walken's tap dance number was, this might be the most impressive dance number in the film. Martin's performance is just a revelation to watch. Yes, the films story is dark and dreary but thats because Ross wanted to make a more sarcastic musical. This film is a real achievement and should be viewed by all.
    helpful•13
    4
    • rosscinema
    • Jul 31, 2003

    Details

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    • Release date
      • January 1, 1982 (United States)
      • United States
      • English
    • Also known as
    • Filming locations
      • 4th Street Bridge, Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
      • SLM Production Group
      • Hera Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • 1 hour 48 minutes
      • Mono

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