Pennies from Heaven

Synopsis

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.

First Air Date: 1978-03-07

Last Air Date: 1978-04-11

Number of Seasons: 1

Number of Episodes: 6

Created By: Dennis Potter

Networks: BBC One

View Technical Specifications on IMDb

Top Cast

Bob Hoskins as Arthur Parker
Gemma Craven as Joan Parker
Cheryl Campbell as Eileen
Kenneth Colley as The Accordion Man
Jenny Logan as Irene
Dave King as Police Inspector
Freddie Jones as Headmaster
Arnold Peters as Barrett
Sam Avent as Pianist
Philip Jackson as Dave

Seasons

Miniseries (1978)

No overview available for this season.

Episodes:

Ep. 1: Down Sunnyside Lane (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.
Ep. 2: The Sweetest Thing (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.
Ep. 3: Easy Come, Easy Go (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.
Ep. 4: Better Think Twice (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.
Ep. 5: Painting the Clouds (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.
Ep. 6: Says My Heart (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.