Dennis Potter's 'Pennies From Heaven' - 'You Rascal, You'

Описание: 'Pennies From Heaven' by Dennis Potter. Episode 1: 'Down Sunny Side Lane'. Joan (Gemma Craven) is at home entertaining girlfriends Irene (Jenny Logan) and Betty (Tessa Dunne). Talk is inevitably of men and marriage, as well as their own unreliable husbands. Suddenly the trio burst into song and dance, releasing their secluded fears and resentments by dancing on Arthur's (Bob Hoskins) grave and finally consigning him to imaginary flames.

Potter's trademark mix of fantasy and reality comes to the fore in a scene which sets up a theme of betrayal so characteristic of his work. The use of filters on the studio set takes the hard edge off a videotaped image to achieve a smooth, milky effect . The trio of accomplished musical actresses vent powerful pent-up emotions as they take it in turns to lip-sync to the male voice of 1930s vocalist Joe Crossman . Bloodied hands and Craven tap-dancing on Arthur's coffin adds to the dark humour of this tightly choreographed and beautifully lit and designed show-stopper.

Music: 'You Rascal, You' by The Blue Lyres at the Dorchester Hotel. Directed by Arthur Lally (Vocal: Joe Crossman and Chorus). Recorded 1932.

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 Davies and Tim Harvey. One of the finest pieces of television the BBC has ever produced.