Pennies From Heaven

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Cast & Crew

Steve Martin
Arthur

Bernadette Peters
Eileen

Christopher Walken
Tom

Jessica Harper
Joan

Vernel Bagneris
The Accordion Man

John McMartin
Mr. Warner

John Karlen
The Detective

Jay Garner
The Banker

Robert Fitch
Al

Tommy Rall
Ed

Herbert Ross
Director

Herbert Ross
Producer

Nora Kaye
Producer

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Critic Reviews for Pennies From Heaven

Audience Reviews for Pennies From Heaven

• Aug 16, 2011

  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.
  Pierluigi P Super Reviewer
• Jul 13, 2011

  Based off of the titular BBC miniseries from several years prior, this American production features Steve Martin and Bernadette Peters in the lead roles. The film features dozens of iconic songs from the thirties and forties, several backgrounds painted from the original thirties musicals, and huge numbers akin to the heyday of MGM. Throughout the film the actors lip sync to the iconic singing of people like Fred Astaire, Bing Crosby, The Boswell Sisters, and Ruby Vallee. Though the actors in this film do not sing, they are very talented performers. Steve Martin learned tap dancing for six months in preparation, Peters is a Broadway mainstay, and Christopher Walken had been trained in tap dancing prior, giving one of the more astounding performances of his career. The story follows Martin as music sheet salesman Arthur as he cheats on his wife, runs from the cops, and tries to find happiness in Depression Era America. The story is pretty grim, making Arthur's fantasies that much more heartbreaking. The juxtaposition illustrates that musical numbers really are fantasies in and of themselves, and the people going to see musicals during the Depression were trying to escape their disparity and poverty. Astaire reportedly hated this film because he believed that this period was innocent, and showing its realities was tawdry. In reality, this film was eye opening, and beautiful in its assessment of true life.
  Spencer S Super Reviewer
• May 26, 2008

  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.
  

  Alec B Super Reviewer
• Jan 31, 2007

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

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