Pennies from Heaven

REVIEW
Martin, trying to escape his "wild and crazy guy" persona, had long wanted to do this transplanted version of Dennis Potter's tale of a Depression-era sheet music salesman whose dreary life is in stark contrast to the cheerful songs he sells. With the original recordings of the songs of the era acting as a Greek chorus, Potter's world remains every bit as bleak here as in his other works ("The Singing Detective," "Dreamchild"). Beautifully photographed by Gordon Willis, on stylized sets designed by Ken Adams. And Walken's dance sequence is a show-stopper.