Seventh Heaven (1937 film)
| Seventh Heaven | |
|---|---|
Theatrical release poster by Joseph A. Maturo
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| Directed by | Henry King |
| Produced by | Darryl F. Zanuck |
| Written by |
Melville Baker Austin Strong (play) |
| Starring |
Simone Simon James Stewart |
| Music by |
David Buttolph Cyril J. Mockridge |
| Cinematography | Merritt B. Gerstad |
| Edited by | Barbara McLean |
| Distributed by | 20th Century Fox |
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Release date
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March 25, 1937 |
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Running time
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102 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Seventh Heaven is an American romantic drama film released in 1937 by 20th Century Fox, directed by Henry King, and starring Simone Simon and James Stewart.
The film is a remake of the 1927 silent film of the same name, which featured Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrell. Both versions were based on the play Seventh Heaven by Austin Strong.
In a 1914 lower class district of Paris, content sewer worker named Chico (James Stewart) is criticized by his fellow citizens for being an atheist. One day, he witnesses a young woman (Simone Simon) being brutally beaten by her sister (Gale Sondergaard) for not entertaining a senior wealthy man in her sleazy bar. He sympathizes with the girl, Diane, and stops the fight. Later, Father Chevillon (Jean Hersholt), who is worried about Chico's lack of faith, offers him a deal: he will grant him a street washer job if he takes in Diane and opens his mind about believing in God. Chico agrees, and he prevents Diane's sister from turning her in to the police by claiming that she is his wife.
Because Diane has become very suicidal, Chico shares his optimistic views with her and takes her to his garret, above seven flights of stairs. Even though there is no luxury, Diane — used to worse surroundings — thinks of the place as heaven. The same night, Chico and Diane realize that they like each other, though they ignore their feelings.
The next morning, unbeknownst to Chico, a gendarme visits Diane to check the reliability of her 'marriage'. Later that day, they celebrate Chico's new job at his neighbours, the Gobins. Eccentric neighbour Aristide the Astrologer (J. Edward Bromberg) chastises Diane for keeping secrets from Chico and accuses her of taking advantage of him, as well as blaming her for ruining his chances of a wealthy life. Upset, Diane leaves and finds comfort in a bar, where she allows a man to seduce her. Chico finds out about the confrontation and finds her in the bar. There, he beats up the man, takes Diane home and assures her that he is not too good for her.
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