Pennies from Heaven
151978•1h 15m•7.7/10
Drama
Ratings
🎬TMDb
7.7/10(15)
Pennies From Heaven is a 1978 BBC television drama serial written by Dennis Potter. The title is taken from a song of the same name written by Johnny Burke and Arthur Johnston. It was one of several Potter serials to mix the reality of the drama with a dark fantasy content, and the earliest of his works where the characters burst into miming to popular 1930s songs. During the Great Depression, a sheet music salesman seeks to escape his dreary life through popular music and a love affair with an innocent schoolteacher.
Production
BBC, BBC One
Language
EN
Status
Ended
First Aired
March 7, 1978
Last Aired
April 11, 1978
Networks
BBC One
Created By
Dennis Potter
Where to Watch
Region US · Lang EN
US
No providers available for this region.
Seasons & Episodes
Select a season to view episodes. Reddit links may contain spoilers.
Season
E1
Down Sunnyside Lane
Air date: 1978-03-07
Arthur Parker is a music salesman with a song in his heart but trouble in his fortunes. On a trip to Gloucester, he meets two people who will change his life: a strange 'gentleman of the road', who plays hymns on a piano accordion and a beautiful young teacher. At home, Arthur's wife Joan waits apprehensively.
E2
The Sweetest Thing
Air date: 1978-03-14
As Eileen tells her schoolchildren their favourite fairytale, song salesman Arthur, Prince Charming in the tale, is coming back to make her his princess. He finds her in a magical forest. His wife Joan wonders if she has left him for good and the mysterious accordion player still haunts the story.
E3
Easy Come, Easy Go
Air date: 1978-03-21
Arthur has at last returned home to his anxious, waiting wife, who still cares enough to make a new bargain with him. She reluctantly agrees to finance his record shop.
E4
Better Think Twice
Air date: 1978-03-28
Arthur and Eileen are both back in London. While he seeks to start his own record shop, country girl Eileen wants the life that begins at Oxford Circus.
E5
Painting the Clouds
Air date: 1978-04-04
Arthur and Eileen have disappeared. Joan is receiving strange visits from a police inspector, and the case of the murdered blind girl is to be opened.
E6
Says My Heart
Air date: 1978-04-11
Now wanted for murder, Arthur takes Eileen on the run, hungry, desperate, but still together. They hide in a lonely farmhouse, but he makes a fatal error.
Cast
Bob Hoskins
Arthur Parker
Gemma Craven
Joan Parker
Cheryl Campbell
Eileen
Kenneth Colley
The Accordion Man
