Bob Hoskins Videos : Dennis Potter's 'Pennies From Heaven' - 'Roll Along Prairie Moon'

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Dennis Potter's 'Pennies From Heaven' - 'Roll Along Prairie Moon'

'Pennies From Heaven' by Dennis Potter. Episode 1: 'Down Sunny Side Lane'. Sheet music salesman Arthur (Bob Hoskins) has motored West to the Gloucester prairie trying to foist this 1935 hit on reluctant shopkeepers when he spots the girl of his dreams, shy schoolteacher Eileen (Cheryl Campbell) in the pub and follows her. But as Arthur, who lives through his music, looks desperately for romance in the fantasy world of his songs, the harsh reality is a '10 bob' job in the back of his car with local good-time-girl, Marjorie (Rosemary Martin). The key song which features in a number of episodes by different artists and tempos is heard here with the key voice and slow and tender crooning of musical hero Al Bowlly who is used extensively throughout the series. A street light doubles as a 'prairie moon' and, as Hoskins, lip-synching to the lyrics, dissolves into the music cover to the rolling tempo of the song, the audience is drawn into Arthur's superficial dream of becoming one of his sheet music characters. With perfect ironic timing, the scene dissolves back to basic sexual gratification to the melody's finale. Potter's memorial service began with those in attendance singing 'Roll Along Prairie Moon' to the accompaniment of a jazz quintet. Music: 'Roll Along Prairie Moon'. (Vocal: Al Bowlly). Dennis Potter's award-winning 'Pennies From Heaven' (BBC 1978). Directed by Piers Haggard, produced by long-time Potter collaborator Kenith Trodd, with choreography and design by Tudor ...

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