Pennies from Heaven

Pennies from Heaven


MGM, 1981, Color, 108 minutes, ***

Released December, 1981



It's the Great Depression in Chicago. Sheet music salesman Arthur Parker is trying to sell his products but it's not easy to convince unwilling music store owners to buy them. Although he's already married to the somewhat drab Joan, when he meets school teacher Eileen in a music store, he falls in love with her.



Quite an interesting mish-mash of Sam Spade, noir, deco and Great Depression (economic and mental)... Steve Martin and Bernadette Peters sing and dance their way through this colorful, over-the-top film lip-synching to music of the era. It's a fun romp, but a bit depressing. Definitely worth seeing.



Produced by: Nora Kaye & Herbert Ross

Associate Producer: Ken Adam

Executive Producer: Richard McCallum

Directed by: Herbert Ross

Written for the Screen and Based on Original Material by: Dennis Potter

Music Arranged and Conducted by: Marvin Hamlisch and Billy May

Choreography by: Danny Daniels

Art Directors: Fred Tuch and Bernie Cutler

Set Decoration: Garrett Lewis

Costumes Designed by: Bob Mackie

Special Effects: Glen Robinson

Director of Photography: Gordon Willis

Edited by: Richard Marks



Awards: nominated for Academy Awards for Best Costume Design (Bob Mackie); Best Sound (Michael J. Kohut, Jay M. Harding, Richard Tyler, Al Overton Jr.); Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium (Dennis Potter)



Cast: Steve Martin [Arthur Parker], Bernadette Peters [Eileen "Lulu"], Christopher Walken [Tom], Jessica Harper [Joan Parker], Vernel Bagneris [Accordion Man], John McMartin [Mr. Warner], John Karlen [Detective], Jay Garner [Banker], Robert Fitch [Al], Tommy Rall [Ed], Eliska Krupka [Blind Girl], Frank McCarthy [Bartender], Raleigh Bond [Mr. Barrett], Gloria LeRoy [Prostitute], Toni Kaye, Shirley Kirks [Tarts], Nancy Parsons [Old Whore], Hunter Watkins [Boy], Jack Fletcher [Elevator Operator], M. C. Gainey [Young Policeman], George P. Wilbur [Motorcycle Policeman], Will Hare [Father Everson], Mark Campbell [Newsboy], Jim Boeke [Hangman], Joshua Cadman [Jumbo], Mark Martinez [Schoolboy], James Mendenhall [Warden], Duke Stroud [Counterman], Joe Medalis [Counterman], Richard Blum, William Frankfather [Pool Players], Robert Lee Jarvis [Policeman], Luke Andreas [Customer], Paul Valentine, Bill Richards, John Craig, Alton Ruff [Bar Patrons], Karla Bush, Robin Hoff, Linda Montana, Dorothy Cronin [Bank Secretaries], Twink Caplan, Lillian D'Honau, Barbara Nordella, Dean Taliaferro [Bank Customers], Wayne Storm [Bank Guard], Gene Ross, Edward J. Heim, Dave Adams, Greg Finley, Paul Michael, Joe Ross [Bank Tellers]



Musical Program: [0:00] The Clouds Will Soon Roll By (sung by Elsie Carlisle with Ambrose and His Orchestra, played behind titles); [0:03] I'll Never Have to Dream Again (sung by Connie Boswell, lip-synced by Steve Martin); [0:09] Yes, Yes (sung by Sam Browne and The Carlysle Cousins, danced and lip-synced by Steve Martin and bank employees, complete with Berkeley-esque camera work); [0:15] Did You Ever See a Dream Walking? (sung by Bing Crosby, lip-synced by Steve Martin when he first sees Bernadette Peters); [0:20] Pennies from Heaven (sung by Arthur Tracy, lip-synced and danced by Vernel Bagneris); [0:30] It's the Girl (sung by rhe Boswell Sisters with The Dorsey Brothers Orchestra, lip-synced by Steve Martin and two men); [0:34] Love Is Good for Anything That Ails You (sung by Phyllis Robbins with Orlando and His Orchestra, lip-synced by Bernadette Peters, danced by School Children); [0:46] Let's Put Out the Lights (And Go to Sleep) (sung by Rudy Vallee and His Connecticut Yankees, short excerpt played in background); [0:48] It's a Sin to Tell a Lie (sung by Dolly Dawn with George Hall and His Orchestra, lip-synced by Jessica Harper); [1:01] I Want to Be Bad (sung by Helen Kane, lip-synced by Bernadette Peters); [1:05] The Clouds Will Soon Roll By (sung by Elsie Carlisle with Ambrose and His Orchestra, used in background); [1:10] Let's Misbehave (sung by Irving Aaronson and His Commanders, lip-synced by Christopher Walken, danced by Christopher Walken and bar patrons); [1:16] Life Is Just a Bowl of Cherries (sung by Walt Harrah, Gene Merlino, Vern Rowe, Robert Tebow and Al Vescovo; lip-synced by Bernadette Peters, Jessica Harper and Steve Martin); [1:29] Let's Face the Music and Dance (sung by Fred Astaire, excerpt playing in theater, lip-synced by Steve Martin, danced by Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers on theater screen, danced by Steve Martin and Bernadette Peters); [1:41] Pennies from Heaven (sung by Steve Martin); [1:43] The Glory of Love (sung by steve Martin, Bernadette Peters and Chorus); [1:44] Pennies from Heaven (sung by Arthur Tracy) / Love Is Good for Anything That Ails You (sung by Phyllis Robbins with Orlando and His Orchestra) played behind end credits