Pennies from Heaven (1978)

7.7 (15 votes)

1 Season

March 7, 1978

English

Drama

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. 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.

Network

BBC One

Episodes

Down Sunnyside Lane

Mar 7, 1978

72 min

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.

The Sweetest Thing

Mar 14, 1978

78 min

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.

Easy Come, Easy Go

Mar 21, 1978

87 min

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.

Better Think Twice

Mar 28, 1978

77 min

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.

Painting the Clouds

Apr 4, 1978

81 min

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.

Says My Heart

Apr 11, 1978

84 min

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.