7th HEAVEN

US, 1927, 110 minutes, Black and white.
Janet Gaynor, Charles Farrell, Ben Bard, Albert Gran, Gladys Brockwell, Emile Chautard.
Directed by Frank Borzage.
7th Heaven is considered a silent classic, coming at the end of the silent era and winning Oscars for the director and the Janet Gaynor along with Sunrise, for 1928.

The story has a French setting, in Paris, prior to World War I, a focus on poverty with two young women (whose parents are away travelling and are disappointed in their daughters), forced to go on the streets because of poverty. A young man, played by Charles Farrell, who works in the sewers befriends the younger daughter, played by Janet Gaynor, and to save her from the police says she is his wife.

The film shows them happy together but the tone of the film changes completely with the outbreak of the war, the young man going off to war, some vivid battle sequences, his being wounded, his coming home – and facing his future with his wife.

An abbe crosses paths with them several times, supporting the woman, giving the young man some medals even though he does not believe. He intervenes several times to help them both, a traditional picture of a kindly priest. Matters come to a head at the end when the woman is distraught at news of her husband’s death in the war, only to find that he has survived – the medals, faith and God. A standard American portrayal of a priest.

1. A silent classic? Awards? Janet Gaynor and her reputation? Oscars?

2. The end of the silent era, silent film techniques, style in photography, light and shade, acting and performance, the captions, the effect of the fixed camera for dramatic impact?

3. French story, the French settings, Paris, the city, the period?

4. The atmosphere of poverty, homes, the workers, the streets, the police?

5. Diane and her sister, the bond between them, tensions? The family background, the absent parents? Poverty? Rivalry? Suffering?

6. Diane sister, her life, prostitution, men? The domination of Diane? Challenges and confrontations?

7. Chico, his work, genial, the sewers? Diane and the situation, his stepping in, claiming her as his wife, marriage, their life together, her happiness?

8. The role of the police, checking with Chico, the interrogations, suspicions about Diane?

9. The parents, return, the reactions, disowning their children?

10. Ordinary life in Paris, the outbreak of World War I, the vast changes? Diane in Paris, waiting, her ordinary life?

11. The war sequences, and strongly staged? The dangers, the bombardments? Chico and his wound?

12. The role of the priest, his concern for Diane, helping, the medals, even though he did not believe? His survival?

13. Chico, his injuries, the return, the effect on both of them – acceptance, their future?