Pennies from Heaven

Year: 1936

Runtime: 81 mins

Language: English

Director: Norman Z. McLeod

DramaComedyMusic

Larry Poole, wrongly imprisoned, vows to help a family after his release. He discovers the family consists of young Patsy Smith and her frail grandfather. His dream of becoming a Venetian gondolier is set aside as he turns to street singing. While performing, he meets welfare worker Susan Sprague, who seeks to place Patsy in an orphanage, creating a clash of interests.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Pennies from Heaven yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Pennies from Heaven (1936) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of Pennies from Heaven (1936), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.

In prison, Larry Poole [Bing Crosby] a self-described troubadour, is approached by an inmate named Hart [John Gallaudet], who is on his way to the electric chair. Hart asks Larry to deliver a letter to a family called Smith near Middletown, New Jersey. After locating the Smiths, which consist of a grandfather Gramp Smith and a young girl named Patsy Edith Fellows, Poole explains that the letter holds a key and reveals that the condemned man had unintentionally killed Patsy’s father, offering the Smiths his old house and former hideout as his only atonement.

Susan Sprague [Madge Evans] represents the county welfare department and her job is to see that Patsy is raised properly, or the girl will go to an orphanage. A string of misadventures befall Larry as he tries to help Gramps out with Patsy to save her from the orphanage, all while Susan and he fall in love.

To get cash for a restaurant license, Larry takes a stunt job at the circus, but is injured. While he is in the hospital, Gramps comes to let him know that the county has taken Patsy away. Larry believes Susan went behind his back and had Patsy placed in the orphanage. It is discovered that Susan had no part in it, but she loses her job defending Larry and Patsy.

Larry has the circus perform for the children so that he can “break Patsy out”, when Patsy lets Larry know how Susan feels about him. Their attempt to free Patsy fails. Afterwards, Larry finds out that Susan has gone to New York and he goes there to find her.

While in New York, Susan is approached by two policemen looking for Larry, not to arrest him as she suspects, but to bring him back to the head of the County Welfare Department to help deal with Patsy, who has gone on a hunger strike. The policemen are watching Susan’s apartment in the hopes that Larry will show up. When he does, they make him leave with them, after he and Susan reveal their feelings for each other.

When they return to the orphanage, the head of the welfare department begs Larry to help them with Patsy. Larry agrees to adopt Patsy and raise her with the help of Susan, who agrees to marry him and be a mother to Patsy.

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 09:33

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Found Family Movies Similar to Pennies from Heaven

Unlikely heroes building new bonds and homes through sacrifice and hope.Discover movies like Pennies from Heaven where characters find redemption and purpose by forming a new family. If you enjoyed the story of Larry, Patsy, and her grandfather, you'll love these heartfelt dramas about unlikely bonds, personal sacrifice, and building a home from the ground up.

heartfelthopefulsentimentaldramaticupliftingemotionalredemptive

Narrative Summary

These narratives typically begin with a protagonist who is isolated or adrift. Through circumstance, they become responsible for someone vulnerable, often a child. The central conflict involves protecting this new family from external threats (like bureaucracy or poverty), requiring the protagonist to set aside their own dreams. The journey is one of growth, leading to the formation of a stable, loving unit.

Why These Movies?

These films share a core emotional throughline of building connection from hardship. They balance dramatic challenges with a fundamentally hopeful tone, focusing on themes of redemption, responsibility, and the healing power of love. The pacing is often steady, allowing the audience to invest in the characters' emotional journeys.

Hopeful Musical Dramas Like Pennies from Heaven

Musicals where song and dance provide light during difficult, real-world struggles.If you liked the mix of music and drama in Pennies from Heaven, explore these films that blend song with heartfelt stories. These movies feature characters using music as a tool for survival and hope, navigating real-world problems like poverty and injustice on a steady path to a satisfying conclusion.

melancholichopefulmusicaldramaticromanticsentimentaluplifting

Narrative Summary

The narrative structure uses musical numbers as emotional punctuation within a dramatic plot. Protagonists often turn to performance as a means of income or emotional release while facing significant obstacles. The contrast between the brightness of the music and the gravity of the situation creates a unique, bittersweet-yet-hopeful vibe, with the art form itself symbolizing the characters' enduring spirit.

Why These Movies?

This thread groups films that share a specific tonal blend: the inherent warmth and escapism of musicals is grounded by real dramatic stakes. They maintain a steady pace, balancing song sequences with character development. The emotional weight is medium, deriving from the serious themes, but the presence of music and a hopeful arc prevents the story from feeling overly heavy.

Unlock the Full Story of Pennies from Heaven

Don't stop at just watching — explore Pennies from Heaven in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Pennies from Heaven is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Pennies from Heaven Timeline

Track the full timeline of Pennies from Heaven with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Pennies from Heaven

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Pennies from Heaven. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Pennies from Heaven Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Pennies from Heaven that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

More About Pennies from Heaven

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Pennies from Heaven: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

Similar Movies to Pennies from Heaven

Discover movies like Pennies from Heaven that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.