Trivia / Pennies from Heaven

• Box Office Bomb: Budget, $22 million. Box office, $2.4 million.
• The Cast Showoff: Christopher Walken put his dancing skills to good use.
• Executive Meddling: According to a 1990 edition of The Times, MGM made Dennis Potter re-write the script thirteen times.
• Playing Against Type: At the time the film version was released, Steve Martin was mainly known for his standup routines, Saturday Night Live appearances and The Jerk. In the film, he plays a completely dramatic role with none of his famous theatricality, goofiness or biting sarcasm.
• What Could Have Been: Jack Nicholson turned down the role of Arthur Parker. Alan Bates was considered for the role in the television version.

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