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Pennies from Heaven (1981)

Pennies from Heaven (1981)
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Adapted from Dennis Potter's landmark British TV miniseries and relocated to the United States during the Depression, Pennies from Heaven dramatizes how popular songs both shaped and reflected the thoughts of people living through economic (and emotional) hardship. Arthur Parker (Steve Martin) is a sheet music salesman who believes that he can spot a hit a mile away and wants to open his own store. But he can't get a bank loan and his wife Joan (Jessica Harper), who has savings left to her by her father, refuses to give him the money. Also, while Arthur has a fierce sexual appetite, Joan generally refuses his advances. While on the road, Arthur meets Eileen (Bernadette Peters), a shy schoolteacher as desperate for affection as Arthur is hungry for sex. They begin an affair, which leads to tragedy for both. Punctuating the drama of Pennies from Heaven are elaborate musical numbers in which the characters lip-synch to popular songs of the day, which at once lift their hopes and reflect their fears. Arthur's buoyant tap number to "My Baby Said Yes" and Eileen's saucy rendition of "Love is Good for Anything That Ails You" are reflections of their needs for money and love, and their pas de deux on "Let's Face the Music and Dance" is at once an escape and an acknowledgement of their hopelessness. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Starring:
Steve Martin, Bernadette Peters, (more)
Director(s):
Herbert Ross
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
R
Format(s):
DVD
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Synopsis of Pennies from Heaven

Adapted from Dennis Potter's landmark British TV miniseries and relocated to the United States during the Depression, Pennies from Heaven dramatizes how popular songs both shaped and reflected the thoughts of people living through economic (and emotional) hardship. Arthur Parker (Steve Martin) is a sheet music salesman who believes that he can spot a hit a mile away and wants to open his own store. But he can't get a bank loan and his wife Joan (Jessica Harper), who has savings left to her by her father, refuses to give him the money. Also, while Arthur has a fierce sexual appetite, Joan generally refuses his advances. While on the road, Arthur meets Eileen (Bernadette Peters), a shy schoolteacher as desperate for affection as Arthur is hungry for sex. They begin an affair, which leads to tragedy for both. Punctuating the drama of Pennies from Heaven are elaborate musical numbers in which the characters lip-synch to popular songs of the day, which at once lift their hopes and reflect their fears. Arthur's buoyant tap number to "My Baby Said Yes" and Eileen's saucy rendition of "Love is Good for Anything That Ails You" are reflections of their needs for money and love, and their pas de deux on "Let's Face the Music and Dance" is at once an escape and an acknowledgement of their hopelessness. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Theatrical Feature Running Time:
107 mins

Complete Cast of Pennies from Heaven


Director(s):
Herbert Ross
Writer(s):
Dennis Potter
Producer(s):
Herbert Ross, Nora Kaye
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
R(Sexual Situations, Violence, Not For Children)
Pennies from Heaven Awards:
  • 1981 - Hollywood Foreign Press Association - Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy
Warning:  This product is intended for mature audiences only. It may contain violence, sexual content, drug abuse and/or strong language. You must be 17 or older to purchase it. By ordering this item you are certifying that you are at least 17 years of age.

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    Member Reviews
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    Edward R.

    Watched it three times, almost couldn't get enough of it. Ya, it's a sad story but the times, 1934 Chicago, were sad, also. The music, the dancing, the settings, were great, especially in the way they used vintage recordings(lip-synced by the characters), of the era's popular songs. Very clever. It's dark(be prepared), the characters all lose in the end, but that's part of it all, isn't it? If you love vintage music and, at the same time, can take the heat, you'll love this one. It's a classic.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Tom G. R.

    For me it was excellent but then I like musicals. But this is an odd musical. It's mostly a drama with some surrealistic take-offs into musical numbers such as the way of the movie Chicago.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Robert P.

    Steve and Bernadette work well together in this Depression era story about some real losers and marital infidelity. Very crafty use of music in this so-called musical. This one will make you do some thinking, so don't be expecting a Broadway musical.

    Yes   |   No

     
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