IMDb on iPhone and iPod touch Learn more Learn more Download from the App Store
IMDb > Penny Serenade (1941)
Penny Serenade
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

Penny Serenade (1941) More at IMDbPro »

Videos
Penny Serenade (1941) -- A couple's big dreams give way to a life full of unexpected sadness and unexpected joy.

IMDb Holiday Movie Guide

Overview

User Rating:
7.1/10   2,068 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 13% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
Martha Cheavens (story)
Morrie Ryskind (screenplay)
Contact:
View company contact information for Penny Serenade on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
24 April 1941 (USA) more
Genre:
Tagline:
Excitingly Re-united! Your favorites of "THE AWFUL TRUTH" in the kind of love story you have been waiting to see! more
Plot:
A couple's big dreams give way to a life full of unexpected sadness and unexpected joy. full summary | add synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for Oscar. more
User Comments:
Unusual, but sad story more (53 total)
US TV Schedule:

Cast

  (Complete credited cast)

Irene Dunne ... Julie Gardiner Adams

Cary Grant ... Roger Adams
Beulah Bondi ... Miss Oliver
Edgar Buchanan ... Applejack Carney
Ann Doran ... Dotty 'Dot'
Eva Lee Kuney ... Trina (at the Age of 6 Years)
Leonard Willey ... Doctor Hartley
Wallis Clark ... Judge
Walter Soderling ... Billings
Jane Biffle ... Trina (at the Age of 1 Year) (as Baby Biffle)
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Stanley Brown ... Man (scenes deleted)
Jack Buchanan ... Bit Part (scenes deleted)
Bess Flowers ... Mother (scenes deleted)
Eddie Laughton ... Cab Driver (scenes deleted)
Adrian Morris ... Bill Collector (scenes deleted)
Edward Peil Sr. ... Train Conductor (scenes deleted)
Grady Sutton ... Man (scenes deleted)
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Runtime:
119 min
Country:
Language:
Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)
Certification:
Australia:G | Canada:G (Ontario) | UK:PG (re-rating) (2005) | UK:U (original rating) (1941-2005) | Finland:S | Sweden:Btl | USA:Approved (PCA #6848)

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Irene Dunne often said that this was her favorite film because it reminded her of her own adopted daughter. more
Quotes:
Judge: [Judge firmly addressing two unseen attorneys] I'll give you an opportunity to better prepare your facts.
Man: [Hands Judge some papers] Adoption proceedings, the Adams case.
Judge: What?
Man: The Adams case.
Judge: [Looks disturbed] Oh yes, yes. Uh...
[turns back to attorneys]
Judge: if either one or both of you gentlemen conduct yourselves like you've been doing today I'll hold you in contempt, the both of ya!
Judge: [Walks into chambers, sees Roger, Miss Oliver, and the baby all seated. Sits at desk] Uh, oh this is the child in question. Ahem, let me see. Yes, I recall looking over these adoption papers. I see you have no income at present.
[Looks at Roger]
Judge: Is that correct?
[...]
more
Movie Connections:
Soundtrack:
Just a Memory more

FAQ

Is this available on DVD?
What have the critics said?
Watch this film online
more
36 out of 38 people found the following comment useful.
Unusual, but sad story, 21 January 2004
9/10
Author: misslv80

Cary Grant plays a newspaper reporter who falls in love and marries Irene Dunne, whom he meets at a record store. While abroad in Japan, tragedy strikes for the couple, which sets the course for the story. It really is a simple story about how a married couple long for having a home and a family of their own. Grant surprised me with his family man role, quite different from the sophisticated characters he played later on in his career. His monologue during the adoption hearing was one of the best scenes in the whole movie and very well done. Irene Dunne was great in her role as his wife. The little girl who plays their daughter was too cute for words. It was also an interesting insight into how a couple struggles to raise their first child, which is something many people can relate to, no matter what the time period. It was also interesting the way Dunne went through all the flashback scenes in the movie by playing records that reminded her of their life together. Beulah Bondi (who played George Bailey's mother from It's A Wonderful Life) has a great supporting role as the head of the adoption agency who has doubts about the couple at first, but then grows to care a great deal for them. The ending was a complete surprise. If you like Cary Grant or old Hollywood movies, this is something different. Sad, but sentimental. Recommended.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (53 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Penny Serenade (1941)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Yikes!! Don-91
why the letter? zgran
Their marriage was cheated out of a real chance. LaGypsyEyes
Notes on PENNY SERENADE JSlack3
Am I the only one who noticed? andrewgage
Beulah Bondi's sleazy adoption agency tmaj48
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Gone with the Wind Giant The Heart of Me The Miracle of Morgan's Creek High Fidelity
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
IMDb Drama section IMDb USA section Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.