No, it was shunned quickly and put out to pasture. This was 1980 and the world was in high tech, early franchise dream-land (Star Wars/Alien) and anything even slightly differing resembling originality or otherwise had entered into bad territory. Oh yes of course, then they sleep for say 45 years, until rediscoved by a discerning new generation of viewers on the internet etc for the masterworks they rightfully are and always were. Including this sparkling gem.All to do with getting the right flavour at the right time, that's Hollywood. Yuk.
Music like this during the Depression was meant to elevate people's spirits to a higher plane of celestial happiness to take their minds off the misery of their lives in the real world. Perhaps music can serve that purpose once again.
This should be America’s next President, right here. Give America back some of its splendid artistry, fun and deft daftness; plus Steve Martin is about the right age too...
Per Fred Astaire " I have never spent 2 more miserable hours in my life" Damn. I liked it yep its dark and a bit weird but I like movies that step outside the box
@@fredbloggs6080 FROM TWO DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES. IT WAS NO GOOD HOLLYWOOD COPYING THE REALISM OF THE TV SERIES, WHICH WAS HELD BACK FROM BEING SHOWN , FOR AT LEAST A YEAR, AFTER THE FILM WAS LAUNCHED. THEY FEARD THAT A COMPARISON WOULD EFFECT BOX-OFFICE NEGATIVELY. I NOW REGARD THEM BOTH, FOR WHAT THEY ARE, TWO VERY DIFFERENT STORY'S.
I saw the movie in december of '81and it was entertaining true -but the BBC -mini series with Bob hoskins and Cheryl campbell -where it was adapted from was a -far superior production,had twice -the music and it was thoroughly -enjoyably start to finish.👍👍🔚
I had the opposite reaction. The Bob Hoskins production was entertaining, but inferior to the Steve Martin film for me. But I have no problem with your feeling differently, and know that many agree with you.
I think the people that did go to see the film were expecting a big, splashy musical; the kind that 'they don't make anymore.' The fact that the film was so dark and had a tragic storyline killed any positive word of mouth it might have had. Plus, people were expecting to see a funny, 'wild-and-crazy-guy' Steve Martin, not a serious Steve Martin. So many films fail their audience. For "Pennies from Heaven," it was the audience that failed the film.
It's understandable. The movie undercuts everything that Fred Astaire films were trying to do, and it's quite depressing overall. He probably had artistic disagreements with a lot of the production as well. Much as I love Fred Astaire, I can see why this would not appeal to him.
perfect choice for Steve martin's second movie...this movie kept him from being pigeoned holed from being ONLY a comedy guy...granted, all he did was comedies AFTER (becuse im sure no production company would touch him after this unless it was a comedy) this but imo it was a good detour to show he was more than comedy..the movie bombed big ..it does suck tbh. maybe it was something he had to get out of his system like Jim Carrey's "The Majestic". By that point Carrey made billions for movie studios and he wanted to try his hand at non comedy drama so the production companies probably saud "eh..let him get his rocks off..let him have a mulligan..we'll get 5 more comedies out of him after to make up the loss."
A real classic. I don't think the public truly understood how great this film was when it came out.
Back in the 1980s, I saw this (and many other movies of the decade) many times over.
I did. I’m still hurt by it 😢
No, it was shunned quickly and put out to pasture. This was 1980 and the world was in high tech, early franchise dream-land (Star Wars/Alien) and anything even slightly differing resembling originality or otherwise had entered into bad territory. Oh yes of course, then they sleep for say 45 years, until rediscoved by a discerning new generation of viewers on the internet etc for the masterworks they rightfully are and always were. Including this sparkling gem.All to do with getting the right flavour at the right time, that's Hollywood. Yuk.
Steve Martin learned to tap dance, for this movie.... What a talented man....
Steve Martin was SO handsome in this, wow!
Music like this during the Depression was meant to elevate people's spirits to a higher plane of celestial happiness to take their minds off the misery of their lives in the real world. Perhaps music can serve that purpose once again.
The costumes are marvelous.... and this was in 1981...Wow!
A hidden masterpiece.
Steve Martin had legs! The Rockettes, too!
Utterly fantastic.
This should be America’s next President, right here. Give America back some of its splendid artistry, fun and deft daftness; plus Steve Martin is about the right age too...
Utterly fantastic!
Utterly fantastic production & music! CHEERS!
Ive read almost all of Pauline Kaels reviews and this particular movie is one of the few she actually seemed to like completely.
awesome movie! I love it
OMG! I love it too. Sheer entertainment!
Wonderful. And the movie itself is a true work of art. But be warned: the movie is depressing, and meant to make you think.
Yes...bitter.💔
That's the genius of writer Dennis Potter
A bleak ending but a great film
Per Fred Astaire " I have never spent 2 more miserable hours in my life" Damn. I liked it yep its dark and a bit weird but I like movies that step outside the box
I really appreciate that heads up.
Brilliant!!
& expensive!
Fabulous!
This American version was entertaining. The English version was truly great!!!
The BBC series starring Bob Hoskins was much better.
@@fredbloggs6080 FROM TWO DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES. IT WAS NO GOOD HOLLYWOOD COPYING THE REALISM OF THE TV SERIES, WHICH WAS HELD BACK FROM BEING SHOWN , FOR AT LEAST A YEAR, AFTER THE FILM WAS LAUNCHED. THEY FEARD THAT A COMPARISON WOULD EFFECT BOX-OFFICE NEGATIVELY. I NOW REGARD THEM BOTH, FOR WHAT THEY ARE, TWO VERY DIFFERENT STORY'S.
Awesome!
Is this what it really feels like for a man when a woman says yes? I wouldn’t know because I’m gay LOL
Well, imagine Harry Styles (or whoever floats your boat) saying "yes."
Gran peli...Brillante;pero muy amarga tambien.
0:46 when the direct deposit comes
changethewords2 I bet it did 😭
Absolutamente MARAVILLOSA.
0:05 YUSSSS
Where is the Blu-ray Warner Archive?
I saw the movie in december of '81and it was entertaining true
-but the BBC -mini series with
Bob hoskins and Cheryl campbell
-where it was adapted from was a
-far superior production,had twice
-the music and it was thoroughly
-enjoyably start to finish.👍👍🔚
I had the opposite reaction. The Bob Hoskins production was entertaining, but inferior to the Steve Martin film for me. But I have no problem with your feeling differently, and know that many agree with you.
I love the film - but the Bob Hoskins BBC version is a classic
WARNER ARCHIVE PENNIES FROM HEAVEN
I think the people that did go to see the film were expecting a big, splashy musical; the kind that 'they don't make anymore.' The fact that the film was so dark and had a tragic storyline killed any positive word of mouth it might have had. Plus, people were expecting to see a funny, 'wild-and-crazy-guy' Steve Martin, not a serious Steve Martin.
So many films fail their audience. For "Pennies from Heaven," it was the audience that failed the film.
Fred Astaire said watching this was the most miserable two hours of his life.
Sometimes wonderful people who I love have terrible opinions. That's life.
It's understandable. The movie undercuts everything that Fred Astaire films were trying to do, and it's quite depressing overall. He probably had artistic disagreements with a lot of the production as well. Much as I love Fred Astaire, I can see why this would not appeal to him.
This guy is not from this world.
The original show was intended as a parody of 1920s musicals
perfect choice for Steve martin's second movie...this movie kept him from being pigeoned holed from being ONLY a comedy guy...granted, all he did was comedies AFTER (becuse im sure no production company would touch him after this unless it was a comedy) this but imo it was a good detour to show he was more than comedy..the movie bombed big ..it does suck tbh. maybe it was something he had to get out of his system like Jim Carrey's "The Majestic". By that point Carrey made billions for movie studios and he wanted to try his hand at non comedy drama so the production companies probably saud "eh..let him get his rocks off..let him have a mulligan..we'll get 5 more comedies out of him after to make up the loss."
depressing movie....
Dennis Potter's world. Life isn't always a bowl of cherries.
Way below the original bbc tv series with bob hoskins