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Trailer+1 trailer

Pennies from Heaven

1981Movie1 h 48 minR

DramaMusic
69
GoodGoodWatch score
IMDb6.5Metacritic647.3Rotten Tomatoes83%64%

A moving, campy drama movie about show business and class and money, with standout score.

Good for date night · friends night · thought-provoking

Where to watch

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Not for comfort or warmth.

Movies with

Story

There's a world on both sides of the rainbow where songs come true and every time it rains, it rains Pennies from Heaven.

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.

Feels like

  • Musical
  • Depression Era
  • Melancholy
  • Social Commentary
  • Nostalgic
  • Pastiche
  • Artistic
  • Unique Visual Style
  • Showbiz

Cast

24 of 27

Crew

Directed by
Herbert Ross
Written by
Dennis Potter
Produced by
Herbert Ross, Nora Kaye
Music by
Ralph Burns, Billy May

Everyone

Pick a department, or search for a name or a job (“editor”, “stunt”).

Facts

December 11, 1981 · 1 h 48 min · R

Released
December 11, 1981
Runtime
1 h 48 min
Age rating
R
Content
Sexual Content, Strong Language
Genres
Drama, Music, Romance
Original language
English
Made in
United States
Budget
$22 million
Box office
$9 million
Available in
14 countries

Tropes

Art Imitates Art, Corrupt the Cutie, Deconstruction +9

  • Art Imitates Art
  • Corrupt the Cutie
  • Deconstruction
  • Crapsack World
  • Driven to Suicide
  • Everyone Calls Him "Barkeep"
  • The Great Depression
  • Setting Update
  • Lighter and Softer
  • Nothing but Hits
  • Tranquil Fury
  • Jukebox Musical

12 of 18 tropes. From TV Tropes.

Q&A

5 questions, like "Where can I stream Pennies from Heaven?"

Questions about Pennies from Heaven

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Pennies from Heaven?

The RokuKanopyPlexTubi TV

In the United States, Pennies from Heaven is free with ads on The Roku, Kanopy, Plex, and Tubi TV. You can rent or buy it from Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. It also streams in 1 other country.

Is Pennies from Heaven worth watching?

69
GoodGoodWatch score

Mostly, it's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 69 (IMDb 6.5, Rotten Tomatoes 83%, and Metacritic 64).

Is Pennies from Heaven good for date night?

Date NightPartner WatchAdultsFriends NightSolo Watch

It can be: romance is 5 of 10, and the viewing guide lists it for date night.

Is Pennies from Heaven plot-driven or character-driven?

CharactersPlot

Mostly character-driven: it leans on pathos (8 of 10) and character depth (7 of 10) more than on its plot.

Was Pennies from Heaven a box office flop?

Budget$22 million
Box office$9 million

Yes: it cost about $22 million to make and earned $9 million worldwide, 42% of its budget.