Pennies From Heaven (1981)

84% of critics liked it
(25 reviews)
56% of users liked it
(3,391 ratings)

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… More 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

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 47 min.
Directed By: Herbert Ross
Written By: Dennis Potter
Genres: Drama, Romance, Musical & Performing Arts

In Theaters: Dec 11, 1981 Wide
On DVD: Jul 27, 2004

Critic Reviews

Richard Corliss, TIME Magazine
Perhaps this was not the project on which to lavish so many MGM millions. The BBC show was an enchanted cottage; this is the Las Vegas Grand Hotel.
Variety Staff, Variety
Almost as if he were directing Pinter, Herbert Ross has actors speak a line, then wait two beats before delivering the next phrase. Technique smothers such ordinarily lively performers as Martin, Peters and Harper.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
Pennies from Heaven is dazzling and disappointing in equal measure.
Vincent Canby, New York Times
The movie, though, is not easy to respond to. It's chilly without being provocative in any intellectual way.
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
he point is made endlessly, though it's in the film's favor that it's made with seriousness, consideration, and a certain amount of imagination.
Tim Brayton, Antagony & Ecstasy
A bit of filmmaking as film criticism to be respected and admired above and beyond its relationship to the legendary miniseries that it pushed out of print for more than 20 years.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Not for everyone, but those who respond to it will find it unforgettable.
Steve Crum, Video-Reviewmaster.com
Underrated, fascinating musical starring Steve Martin and Bernadette Peters.
Pablo Villaca, Cinema em Cena
O ótimo conceito deste musical torna-se ainda mais fascinante graças às belas coreografias, aos ricos figurinos, à impecável direção de arte e, é claro, à magnífica fotografia de Gordon Willis.
, Time Out
Let's face the music and dance, indeed.
Mark Athitakis, Filmcritic.com
Dark as night but perfectly lit, a little sad but with a song in its heart.

Read all 11 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Pierluigi P

People trying to escape to a fantasy world where songs make up for the harsh reality they live in is a subject I find utterly appealing, even more if there is a lively, playful mastermind behind it to inject a good measure of black humour to the mix. Too bad Dennis Potter's… More
People trying to escape to a fantasy world where songs make up for the harsh reality they live in is a subject I find utterly appealing, even more if there is a lively, playful mastermind behind it to inject a good measure of black humour to the mix. Too bad Dennis Potter's amazing writing wasn't adapted to the silver screen by an equally sharp mind. But I pass things like that because I love the period, Gordon Willis' lightning and the lovely tunes. Also, Christopher Walken shows what a great dancer he is.
Alec B

As fun as the musical numbers are, there is some very dark drama in this movie. I liked how everyone lip-syncs to the actual songs recorded in the 1930s. Here Steve Martin shows what a good actor he is as well as a dancer. Christopher Walken strip-teaseling to "Lets… More
As fun as the musical numbers are, there is some very dark drama in this movie. I liked how everyone lip-syncs to the actual songs recorded in the 1930s. Here Steve Martin shows what a good actor he is as well as a dancer. Christopher Walken strip-teaseling to "Lets Misbehave" then telling Bernadette Peters "You'd better not be a tease . . . cause I'll cut your face" is a great scene. I can't speak to this being better than the original miniseries because I haven't seen it, but this film on its own is very good.
Christopher B

The most depressing musical of all time. Easy 5 stars. I wonder if Lars Von Trier saw this?

Cast

            Steve Martin as Arthur

            Bernadette Peters as Eileen

            Christopher Walken as Tom

            Jessica Harper as Joan

            John McMartin as Mr. Warner

            John Karlen as The Detective

            Robert Fitch as Al

            Eliska Krupka as The Blind Girl

            Luke Andreas as Customer

            Vernel Bagneris as Accordion man

            Arell Blanton as Motorcycle Police

            Jim Boeke as Hangman

            Raleigh Bond as Mr. Barrett

            Joshua Cadman as Jumbo

            Twink Caplan as Bank Customer

            John Craig as Bar Patron

            Greg Finley as Bank Teller

            William Frankfather as Pool Player

            M.C. Gainey as Young Policeman

            Will Hare as Father Everson

            Melissa Hayden
            
            Robert Lee Jarvis as Policeman

            Shirley Kirks as Tart

            Gloria Le Roy as Prostitute

            Frank McCarthy as Bartender

            Joseph Medalis as Counterman

            Nancy Parsons as Old Whore

            Bill Richards
            
            Gene Ross as Bank Teller

            Joe E. Ross as Bank Teller

            Wayne Storm as Bank Guard

            Paul Valentine as Bar Patron

            George P. Wilbur as Motorcycle Police

            Conrad Palmisano
            
            Duke Stroud as Counterman

            Karla Bush as Bank Secretary

            Richard Blum as Pool Player

            Richard Butler
            
            James Mendenhall as Warden

            Alton Ruff as Bar Patron

            Jay Garner as Banker

            Robin Hoff as Bank Secretary

            Thomas Rall as Ed

            Dave Adams as Bank Teller

            Paul Michael
            
            Jack Fletcher as Elevator Operator
See full cast