Pennies from Heaven

A roguish yet good-hearted troubadour who becomes Patsy’s reluctant guardian. He pursues a path of protection and affection for the girl, even when it jeopardizes his own plans. His charm and stubborn optimism propel the search for a real family for Patsy and a future with Susan.

A bright, hopeful girl whose future hinges on whether she stays with family or is sent to an orphanage. Her resilience shows through as she navigates unstable guardianship and efforts to remain with those who care for her. Her presence drives the emotional core of the story.

The loyal, gentle grandfather who provides a home base and moral anchor for Patsy. He embodies quiet dignity and stubborn kindness, offering patience and protection amid hardship. His character underlines the theme of found family through care and perseverance.

A county welfare official who believes in Patsy’s chances but is initially stretched by difficult circumstances and misperceptions. Her commitment to the girl's welfare evolves into a personal romance with Larry. She balances professional duty with emotional investment in the child.

An inmate on death row who entrusts Larry with a letter and an act of atonement. His admission that he caused Patsy’s father’s death frames the story’s moral stakes and the theme of taking responsibility. Though his role is brief, his guilt catalyzes the present-day choices of the protagonists.

A musical figure connected to the circus backdrop who contributes warmth and rhythm to the story. His presence adds a sense of street-level humanity and optimism amid financial struggles. He embodies the era’s jazz-infused spirit that threads through Larry’s adventures.

A rough-edged figure encountered during the film’s broader misadventures. His role is peripheral, offering conflict or obstacle within the town’s social circles. He helps to paint the world as gritty and real as the main plot unfolds.

A welfare department staffer connected to Patsy’s care and the system overseeing her future. She embodies the institutional side of the story and interacts with Larry and Susan as they navigate Patsy’s guardianship. Her role highlights the real-world constraints surrounding child welfare.

A county official whose decisions influence Patsy’s placement and Larry’s attempts to keep the girl out of the orphanage. He represents the procedural, formal side of the story. His involvement emphasizes the friction between policy and personal mercy.

A minor hotel staff character who appears in the everyday scenes around Patsy’s world. Her presence adds texture to the environment and the sense of bustling city life. She contributes to the film’s realistic urban backdrop without affecting the main plot.

A brief, uncredited role providing a moment of movement and color in the film’s street scenes. His character helps to convey the film’s small-town-to-city transition and the bustle of daily life.