7th Heaven
Directed by Frank Borzage
Written by Benjamin Glazer from a play by Austin Strong
1927/US
Fox Film Corporation
IMDb page
First viewing/YouTube (free)
Chico: Not bad, eh? I work in the sewer – but I live near the stars!
Once in a great while, I find a new-to-me film that moves me to tears. This was one of those occasions.
The setting is Paris in the weeks before the outbreak of WWI. Chico (Charles Farrell) works in the city sewers. He is a happy-go-lucky guy who thinks of himself as a “very remarkable fellow”. He is mad at God for not granting his prayers for promotion to a street washer position.
On day, Chico spots Diane (Janet Gaynor) who is being viciously beaten by her alcoholic sister. He rescues her. Shortly thereafter, a cleric gives him several religious medals and an appointment as street washer. To keep his job, Chico must have a wife. So he reluctantly invites Diane to live with him just until the police come to check on his marital status. They will live in a seventh story walk-up garret apartment. It’s not much but Chico thinks of it as heaven because of the view and Diane agrees completely.
We follow the development of the couple’s relationship. At the last minute, Chico is called up by the Army to go to the front lines of WWI. Will the couple reunite?
This plot might sound like a corny melodrama but I wept for most of the last half hour and thoroughly enjoyed it. There is plenty of comedy in the first half to balance out the tears. The direction and production are first-rate with lots of atmospheric lighting. I love these actors. Highly recommended.
Frank Borzage won the first and only Oscar for Best Director, Dramatic Picture. Janet Gaynor won for Best Actress for her performances in this, Street Angel, and Sunrise. Benjamin Glazer won for Best Writing, Adaptation. The film was nominated for Best Picture, Production and for Best Art Direction.
Clip – Do you think the makers of “The Artist” saw this movie?
Theme song with photo montage from the movie
