Seventh Heaven (1937)

I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

Wow! Such a good movie.

If you don't like this, we can't be friends.

This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.

Having been made famously as a silent film that won Janet Gaynor the first ever Best Actress Oscar (along with several other films made around the same time), this remake is beautifully remade, but in many ways, appears to have been meant to be silent. The era of World War I Paris is the setting for this romance of two outsiders: a sewer worker (James Stewart) who wants to work above ground, and a cabaret "hostess" (Simone Simon) whose cruel sister (Gale Sondergaard at her most sinister) passes her off to male clients as if she was a pair of old shoes. Tired of her sister's cruelty, Simon longs to get away, and thanks to Stewart who catches Sondergaard beating her, she does, threatening to dump her into the sewer if she doesn't stay away from her sister. Determined to protect the innocent young Simon, Stewart claims to be married to her, and moves her into his apartment building where their romance expands into love. But with the onslaught of World War I and Stewart's sudden draft, that leaves Simon open to the machinations of the vengeful Sondergaard, and tragedy rears its ugly head as Simon gains the strength to stand up for herself and find her own inner heaven.This has some fantastic moments throughout, from the beautiful but dangerous setting to the sequence where Stewart nearly dumps Sondergaard into the abyss of the Paris underground, to those small romantic moments between Simon and Stewart, and then Simon's response to Sondergaard's return and the tragic situation of Stewart being off at war and believed to be dead. Simon's girlish performance makes her seem weak at first, but even in a dooey eyed doe is a mama lioness in the making, and her roar is unforgettable in a triumphant scene that will have you cheering her on. Jean Hersholt is memorable as a local priest who questions Stewart on his atheism, and Sig Ruman is hilariously piggish as a customer of Sondergaard's who takes his date with Simon too far. Other memorable cast members include Gregory Ratoff as a local rebel, Rafaela Ottiano as a nosy neighbor of Stewart's, and Mady Christians as a motherly woman in Stewart's building who becomes Simon's protector, for as long as she needs one. For all of the silent elements transferred over with the use of dialog, this is still a very memorable melodrama that will leave you touched, right up to the inspiring fadeout.

This is a Love story among members of the Poor People of Paris, where Jimmy Stewart plays a working class sewer worker. Given his lot in life, Stewart's character expresses little faith in God, but after he befriends an abused prostitute (Diane), in her he finds the catalyst for an improved prospective on life. This symbolizes the potential power of positive relationships. This is a remake of the silent film of the same name from 10 years earlier that won three Academy awards, including one for Janet Gaynor for best actress.Interesting of note is the romantic music theme "Diane" which plays throughout the film. Although the tune was written in 1927 for the original silent movie version of this film, most today will remember it from the pop hit the Irish group 'The Bachelors' had in 1964. Singer Billy Daniels had actually previously made the tune popular in the 1940's, when he made it his #1 song to sing on his NY radio broadcasts. Jazz trumpeter Miles Davis was later perceptive enough to have recorded the tune with John Coltrane on his classic 1956 album "Steamin' with the Miles Davis Quintet." The lyrics are never heard in the film, but a review of the lyrics find them spot-on with the story: "I'm in Heaven when I see you smile; smile for me my Diane. And though everything is dark all the while; I can see you Diane. You have lighted the road leading home; Pray for me when you can. For no matter wherever I roam; Smile for me my Diane."

Simone Simon glowed. She was inspired by James Stewart's character. Her character was lit up by Chico whose pure innocence and positive attitude overshadowed any shortcomings of her character. Stewart came across so well that I could not stop watching the film even though he lacked a French accent. This movie must be seen by all of Jimmy Stewart's fans. It's as if Stewart's star quality is irrepressible. Its as if his personal good character comes across better than the script can tell;therefore,I can accept this story. I have to admit I have seen many of his movies before I saw this one, including many times "Its a Wonderful Life". But, in this film "Seventh Heaven" he allows Simone Simon to make the story work. The two actors are at their best in this old fashioned melodrama. This is a rare instance where the actors pulled the story to a much higher plain. Perhaps that is why it's called "Seventh Heaven".

I thought it was a very sweet movie. It made me believe in true romance, that there is such a thing as making love without...you know what I mean. It was uplifting because bravery and heaven were big in this movie. "Chico, Diane, Heaven" for example. That phrase kept me hanging on. Their bravery helped them achieve their heaven.