Dennis Potter's "Pennies From Heaven" (1978) Al Bowlly and Lew Stone - "You Couldn't Be Cuter"

Clip of Dennis Potter's 1978 drama "Pennies From Heaven" featuring Al Bowlly and Lew Stone's 1938 song "You Couldn't Be Cuter". One of my favourite Potter dramas, and one of my favourite Bowlly songs.

If you have any questions/ requests concerning either Potter or Bowlly, I have spent a worrying amount of time on both of these subjects (such is the anorak that I am) and I'll do my best to indulge you. Similarly, if you have any 1930s popular music requests, please do message me if you need help.

This is a version of a song from the 1938 film "The Joy of Living" and the lyrics were written by Dorothy Fields. In the drama it's used anachronistically; Pennies is set in 1932.

It isn't a particularly well known number of Al's but it does have a certain upbeat charm and anybody who is familiar with Al will know that by this point he had undergone a very difficult and risky operation in America on his vocal cords, but returned to singing, which makes this song even more special. For Al, this is a vocal style somewhat different from his normal 'Big Swoon' schmaltziness, but I think he does a wonderful job, full of his signature enthusiasm.

This Lew Stone arrangement, for me, heralds the start of the style of mid- 20th century popular music to which we're now so accustomed. If you know the 30s, or even some earlier Stone stuff, you'll note how it differs from the typical dance band arrangements of the period that featured very long intros and a small vocal refrain feature.

This is essentially a little three minute pop song, (all that would pretty much fit onto a 78 side), that as Potter would say, is 'so sweet you could almost lick it'. Enjoy! x

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Al
• Bowlly
• Dennis
• Potter
• Pennies
• From
• Heaven
• 1978
• 1938
• You
• Couldn't
• Be
• Cuter
• Bob
• Hoskins
• Lew
• Stone
• 1930s
• foxtrot

[allmoderncons]

best tv show EVER.

love al bowlly also.

xx

[newrochellephoenix]

A wonderful and amazing mini series it was .

[interwar35]

'Pennies' is set in 1935 and not 1932; there are several references to the Silver Jubilee of King George and Queen Mary and the date is mentioned by the prosecuting council in Arthur's criminal trial!

[superleahsophie]

Is that harry hill ?!

[hummlyhummly]

When the Indianapolis Colts won the Super Bowl, the announcer didn't have enough cultural literacy to reference Al Bowlly's great song, Hang Out The Stars In Indiana. What an ass.

[psyche250]

Me mum just saw Pennies from Heaven at her local theater and so totally loved it, despite not being a fan of musicals. Brought back memories - GREAT flick! Found this Dennis Potter 1978 version clip and LUV it!

[crashmonitor]

Best scene of the entire series...priceless

[MANFROMMARS46]

This is quite brilliant. I love this 1930s music. Al Bowlly is peerless. We need another Denis Potter.

[Somerandombloke1]

...and all that's left is the song...

[woofer32]

this was the series that really turned me on to 1930's music.