Brecht wrote The Threepenny Opera as a novel in 1934 (Dreigroschenroman, translated by Vesey and Isherwood as A Penny for the Poor, R. Hale, 1937; reprinted as Threepenny Novel, Grove, 1956); but it was his play that received the most attention. He revised the script for a 1931 film version to be more politically oriented than the original 1928 play script. The black and white German film (Die Dreigroschenoper with English subtitles), directed by G. W. Pabst and starring Antonin Artaud, is available on video from Embassy Home Entertainment.

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) released a 1954 recording of Kurt Weil's music for The Threepenny Opera.

Marc Blitzstein revived The Threepenney Opera in the 1950s and his revision of the "Mack the Knife" song became a worldwide hit for singer Bobby Damn.

A 1989 film version, alternatively titled Mack the Knife, was released by Columbia. Directed by Menahem Golan, the film features Raul Julia as Macheath and...