Pennies From Heaven

UPC: 794051196323

Studio: BBC Warner

Summary: Not to be confused with Herbert Ross' 1981 remake starring Steve Martin and Bernadette Peters, the highly acclaimed British television miniseries Pennies from Heaven was the breakthrough work of acclaimed screenwriter Dennis Potter, a rich drama set in 1930s London that uses popular songs as both subject and technique. The story, which centers on the dreams and romances of a sheet-music salesman named Arthur Parker (Bob Hoskins), is punctuated by musical numbers where the characters lip-sync to the original recording, providing the audience with a glimpse of the characters' inner worlds. A dreamer who believes in the perfect world depicted in the pop songs, Arthur is frustrated by financial worries and a strained, sexless marriage. Seeking an escape, on a business trip he falls in love with a small-town teacher; pretending to be a wealthy songwriter, he courts her, and finds a kindred spirit. However, despite the promises of the love songs, they soon finds themselves headed towards further challenges and a potentially tragic end. Potter and director Piers Haggard create a unique sort of musical by using pre-existing songs and setting them in distinctly realistic contexts, contrasting the idealistic, carefree songs with the harsher economic, social, and interpersonal realities of the surrounding world. ~ Judd Blaise, Rovi

Category: Drama

Awards: Film Presented – Telluride Film Festival

Features: Commentary by producer Kenith Trodd and director Piers Haggard

Pennies From Heaven

Format: DVD

Release Date: 07/27/2004

Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1 Pre-1954 Standard

Audio: DD1 Dolby Digital Mono

Runtime: 517 Minutes

Sides: 3

Number of Discs: 3

Subtitles: English

Chapters: Side #1 -- Disc 1
1. The Sweetest Thing [6:02]
2. Without That Certain Thing [10:40]
3. Dreaming a Dream [12:46]
4. You Couldn't Be Cuter [14:32]
5. Yes, Yes, My Baby Said Yes, Yes [11:08]
6. Just Let Me Look at You [8:57]
7. Halitosis and Lies [6:39]
8. Credits [1:12]
1. Down Sunnyside Lane [9:02]
2. Roll Along Prairie Moon [12:13]
3. Blue Moon [8:01]
4. Pennies From Heaven [10:49]
5. Zing Went the Strings of My Heart [14:30]
6. You Rascal You [7:44]
7. Paradise [13:52]
8. Credits [1:24]
Side #2 -- Disc 2
1. Easy Come, Easy Go [15:39]
2. A Shadow [5:17]
3. Love Is Good for Anything That Ails You [11:19]
4. Oh You Nasty Man [18:17]
5. September Apples [18:02]
6. Radio Times [10:44]
7. London [5:58]
8. Credits [1:42]
1. Better Think Twice [10:17]
2. Tom [5:26]
3. Love Affair [13:00]
4. Rip Tide [10:54]
5. No Rubbish [11:39]
6. Fancy Our Meeting [11:30]
7. Ok Toots [11:40]
8. Credits [2:37]
Side #3 -- Disc 3
1. Painting the Clouds [7:57]
2. Serenade in the Night [6:21]
3. I've Found the Right Girl [13:54]
4. On the Other Side of the Hill [12:02]
5. Anything Goes [6:42]
6. Damnation [13:58]
7. Fine World [17:02]
8. Credits [2:41]
1. Says My Heart [8:46]
2. In the Middle of a Kiss [10:25]
3. Paradise for Two [12:12]
4. Victoria Cross [15:12]
5. Whistling in the Dark [17:57]
6. Verdict [13:21]
7. The Melody Lingers On [4:31]
8. Credits [1:48]

Cast and Crew: Kenneth Colley  Actor 
Hywel Bennett  Actor 
Gemma Craven  Actor 
Piers Haggard  Director 
Dennis Potter  Screenwriter 
Kenith Trodd  Producer 
Bob Hoskins  Actor 

Country: UK