Pennies From Heaven (1981)
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84% of critics liked it
(25 reviews) -
57% of users liked it
(3,539 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)… 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
- Directed By
- Herbert Ross
- Written By
- Dennis Potter
- Genres
- Drama, Romance, Musical & Performing Arts
R,
- In Theaters
- Dec 11, 1981 Wide
- On DVD
- Jul 27, 2004
Critic Reviews
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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.
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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.
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, Time Out
Let's face the music and dance, indeed.
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Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
Pennies from Heaven is dazzling and disappointing in equal measure.
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Vincent Canby, New York Times
The movie, though, is not easy to respond to. It's chilly without being provocative in any intellectual way.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Steve Martin
as Arthur
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Bernadette Peters
as Eileen
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Christopher Walken
as Tom
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Jessica Harper
as Joan
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John McMartin
as Mr. Warner
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John Karlen
as The Detective
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Robert Fitch
as Al
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Eliska Krupka
as The Blind Girl
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Luke Andreas
as Customer
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Vernel Bagneris
as Accordion man
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Arell Blanton
as Motorcycle Police
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Jim Boeke
as Hangman
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Raleigh Bond
as Mr. Barrett
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Joshua Cadman
as Jumbo
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Twink Caplan
as Bank Customer
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John Craig
as Bar Patron
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Greg Finley
as Bank Teller
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William Frankfather
as Pool Player
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M.C. Gainey
as Young Policeman
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Will Hare
as Father Everson
- Melissa Hayden
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Robert Lee Jarvis
as Policeman
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Shirley Kirks
as Tart
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Gloria Le Roy
as Prostitute
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Frank McCarthy
as Bartender
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Joseph Medalis
as Counterman
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Nancy Parsons
as Old Whore
- Bill Richards
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Gene Ross
as Bank Teller
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Joe E. Ross
as Bank Teller
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Wayne Storm
as Bank Guard
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Paul Valentine
as Bar Patron
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George P. Wilbur
as Motorcycle Police
- Conrad Palmisano
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Duke Stroud
as Counterman
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Karla Bush
as Bank Secretary
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Richard Blum
as Pool Player
- Richard Butler
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James Mendenhall
as Warden
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Alton Ruff
as Bar Patron
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Jay Garner
as Banker
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Robin Hoff
as Bank Secretary
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Thomas Rall
as Ed
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Dave Adams
as Bank Teller
- Paul Michael
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Jack Fletcher
as Elevator Operator
