The Five Pennies

Critics Consensus

No consensus yet.

Tomatometer
Not Yet Available

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: N/A

93%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 737

Where to watch

Other Movies

Rate And Review

User image

Verified

  • User image

    Super Reviewer

    Rate this movie

    Oof, that was Rotten.

    Meh, it passed the time.

    It’s good – I’d recommend it.

    Awesome!

    So Fresh: Absolute Must See!

    What did you think of the movie? (optional)

  • You're almost there! Just confirm how you got your ticket.

  • User image

    Super Reviewer

    Step 2 of 2

    How did you buy your ticket?

    Let's get your review verified.

    • Fandango

    • AMCTheatres.com or AMC AppNew

    • Cinemark Coming Soon

      We won’t be able to verify your ticket today, but it’s great to know for the future.

    • Regal Coming Soon

      We won’t be able to verify your ticket today, but it’s great to know for the future.

    • Theater box office or somewhere else

    By opting to have your ticket verified for this movie, you are allowing us to check the email address associated with your Rotten Tomatoes account against an email address associated with a Fandango ticket purchase for the same movie.

    You're almost there! Just confirm how you got your ticket.

  • User image

    Super Reviewer

    Rate this movie

    Oof, that was Rotten.

    Meh, it passed the time.

    It’s good – I’d recommend it.

    Awesome!

    So Fresh: Absolute Must See!

    What did you think of the movie? (optional)

  • How did you buy your ticket?

    • Fandango

    • AMCTheatres.com or AMC AppNew

    • Cinemark Coming Soon

      We won’t be able to verify your ticket today, but it’s great to know for the future.

    • Regal Coming Soon

      We won’t be able to verify your ticket today, but it’s great to know for the future.

    • Theater box office or somewhere else

    By opting to have your ticket verified for this movie, you are allowing us to check the email address associated with your Rotten Tomatoes account against an email address associated with a Fandango ticket purchase for the same movie.

The Five Pennies Photos

View All Photos (14)

Movie Info

In this film based on a true story, Red Nichols (Danny Kaye) moves from his small town to New York City to become a jazz musician. Although he experiences culture shock, he soon becomes well respected in the clubs, even forming a friendship with Louis Armstrong (Louis Armstrong). After marrying Willa (Barbara Bel Geddes) and having a daughter, Dorothy (Susan Gordon), Red still tours constantly. But, when he learns that Dorothy has polio, he realizes he must rethink his priorities.
  • Genre:
    musical
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    Melville Shavelson
  • Producer:
    Jack Rose
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     original
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Runtime:
  • Production Co:
    Paramount Pictures, Dena Productions
  • Sound Mix:
    Stereo

Cast

Danny Kaye
as 'Red' Nichols
Barbara Bel Geddes
as Willa Stutsman
Bob Crosby
as Wil Paradise
Louis Armstrong
as Himself
Harry Guardino
as Tony Valani
Susan Gordon
as Dorothy Nichols at 6
Tuesday Weld
as Dorothy at 12 to 14
Valerie Allen
as Tommye Eden
Ray Anthony
as Jimmy Dorsey
Shelly Manne
as Dave Tough
Ray Daley
as Glenn Miller
Bobby Troup
as Arthur Schutt
Ray Daly Jr.
as Glenn Miller
Earl Barton
as Choreographer
Ned Glass
as Murray
Bob Hope
as Himself
Richard Shavelson
as Party
Blanche Sweet
as Bit
View All

Critic Reviews for The Five Pennies

All Critics (3) | Fresh (3)

  • A bit too sobby in spots, the film rates "good" for its exuberant music, its sharply detailed Jazz Age atmosphere, and Kaye's likeable performance.

    October 17, 2019 | Full Review…

    Clyde Gilmour

    Maclean's Magazine

  • The Five Pennies is a solidly crafted movie that glosses over a lot of the real history of jazz.

    December 16, 2013 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…

    Noel Murray

    The Dissolve

  • A bit of a sprightly-tragic mess, but if one doesn't try to sum up its parts, it's plenty entertaining in a nostalgic, old-movie way.

    January 2, 2006 | Rating: 2.5/4

    Peter Canavese

    Groucho Reviews
View All Critic Reviews (3)

Audience Reviews for The Five Pennies

  • May 21, 2008
    Nice Jazz drama. Kaye gives a good performance and nice cameos by Jazz greats.
    Anthony V Super Reviewer
  • Sep 12, 2007
    Not a typical Danny Kaye character, but a beautiful story of a family's struggles. And yes, Kaye still gets in a few laughs.
    Valerie G Super Reviewer
See all Audience reviews

The Five Pennies Quotes

There are no approved quotes yet for this movie.

Movie & TV guides