Pennies from Heaven (1936)
| Movie | |
|---|---|
| Original title | Pennies from Heaven |
| Country of production | United States |
| original language | English |
| Publishing year | 1936 |
| length | 81 minutes |
| Rod | |
| Director | Norman Z. McLeod |
| script | Jo Swerling |
| production | Emanuel Cohen |
| music | William Grant Still |
| camera | Robert Pittack |
| cut | John Rawlins |
| occupation | |
| |
Pennies from Heaven is a 1936 American comedy film based on the novel The Peacock Feather by Katherine Leslie Moore.
action
Shortly before his execution, the criminal Hart gives his cell friend Larry Poole a message, which he is supposed to deliver to the Smith family in New Jersey. Larry is released from prison and makes some money singing in backyards with young Patsy Smith. He meets the social worker Susan Sprague, who Patsy wants to place in an orphanage. Patsy introduces Larry to her grandfather, Gramp Smith, to whom he delivers Hart's message over dinner. In redress for the murder of Patsy's father, Hart has attached a key to the message, which is meant to be hidden.
Mr. Carmichael of the Welfare Committee hires Susan to place Patsy in an orphanage because her grandfather cannot provide enough care for the girl. Larry, who found the hiding place as an abandoned house, has the idea of turning the house into a café. On the evening of the opening, however, Harry, the band leader of the orchestra, is arrested by the sheriff for stealing chicken. In order to be able to pay for the operator's license for the café, Larry hires himself out as an art pilot at the fair. But during a performance he crashes and comes to the hospital. Gramp notifies him that Patsy has been taken to an orphanage and that Larry is not allowed to see her. Susan hears of this requirement and resigns from her welfare service. She befriends Patsy.
Larry manages to give an introduction to the orphanage. He wants to get Patsy out of the home, but Patsy doesn't want to go with him because of her friendship with Susan. Larry searches for Susan in New York and is arrested. Patsy goes on a hunger strike and is able to convince the management of the orphanage that they are a constant trouble spot for the home. Larry and Susan, now married, adopt her.
Reviews
Frank S. Nugent of the New York Times described the film as a healthy, slightly sentimental, and lovable comedy.
Awards
In 1937 , the title song Pennies from Heaven by Arthur Johnston and Johnny Burke was nominated for an Oscar in the Best Song category
background
The film premiered on November 25, 1936.
Louis Armstrong, who appeared with his band, made his feature film debut.
Web links
- Pennies from Heaven in theInternet Movie Database(English)