That was an excellent one.

Best movie ever!

In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

It is an exhilarating, distressing, funny and profound film, with one of the more memorable film scores in years,

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.

A very moving and excellent movie version of the Seventh Heaven play that was the "talkie" remake of the silent version made 10 years earlier. James Stewart (Chico) and Simone Simon (Diane) play the street cleaner and prostitute whose paths cross and develop a special bond with each other. The movie presents a much gritty view of life in the 1914 Paris streets before World War I and has so many deep messages about life. The Chico character is an atheist who became cynical when his prayers were not answered. He helps Diane when she is beaten by her prostitute sister for not being sociable with potential clients. To prevent her from being arrested, Chico takes her in as his wife to live in his apartment. The climb is up 7 flights of steps, but the apartment becomes their own heavenly abode. As their feelings deepen between the two, Chico eventually proposes marriage to Diane. However, World War I intervenes and Chico must leave Diane to go to war. The two vow to think about each other at 11 AM every day. As the war comes to a close, Chico is injured in a gas attack and is reported to have died by his comrades and a priest (Jean Hersholt whose name is attached to the Humanitarian Academy Award given out every year during the Oscar award show). Another injured war veteran also is introduced during the time that Diane is working in the war hospital and appears to be the "other man" character who tries to win her over. As the end of the war is imminent, Diane refuses to believe that Chico was killed in the war. She, in turn, almost becomes an atheist when she feels that God could have let him die and to have abandoned her. She receives another revelation at 11 AM on November 11, 1918 as the armistice news is celebrated and races back to climb up the seven flight of stairs past all of the revelers to get back to her home. The ending of the movie could have been with a sad ending. But even if it did, the love that tied the two of them would still have resonated strongly at the end. Chico had given Diane a new outlook on life and she could have carried on in the future for the both of them.The movie had many closeups of Simone with the type of lighting that you would expect to showcase her beauty. It looked like you were seeing a photographer shifting the lights in the background when a closeup was called for. She has such an angelic face. Jimmy Stewart may have not fit the French sanitary worker role exactly since he spoke with no French accent. But, his acting fit the role of the street cleaner perfectly and you could see how his later movie roles in "Shop Around the Corner" and "It's a Wonderful Life" were an extension of his role in this movie.The movie was made just two years before World War II began. It showed the horror of battle in the trenches and is a sad reminder of the upcoming war that would soon envelop Europe again.This movie version provides many simple messages about life in general and also affirms the daily life struggles of the lower classes. Everyone has their own heaven if they look hard for it. Sometimes you have to look deep into your own heart. The most poignant scene in the movie for me is right after the policeman comes to visit Chico's apartment to verify his story that Diane and he were married. After he is satisfied when checking the apartment and leaves, Diane then knows that the charade about being married is over and that it is time for her to leave. She tidies up the kitchen area one more time and then takes a last look at the room as she heads out the door. Priceless moment. Highly recommended even though it is a little known movie.

Chico, a sewer worker in Paris rescues Diane, a prostitute, from the police. He not only offers his protection, but also his unending love. Diane, who up to that point had been abused by many people, suddenly realizes the love she receives from Chico lifts her from a dreary existence and helps her find her own voice. Alas, war intervenes at the time the couple decides to get married. Chico, an avowed atheist, invents his own wedding vows as he and Diane exchange chains to wear around their necks instead of the customary ring. Both make a promise to chant their names and pretend they are in heaven at 11am each day. The ritual keeps them hoping for an eventual happy life together in peaceful times. This 1937 release directed by Henry King, is seldom seen these days. The basic reason for watching it again is the sweet presence of Simone Simon and James Stewart. These two actors contributed to make the film much better than it should have been if played by others. Ms. Simon, one of the most beautiful faces in the French cinema, had a wonderful screen presence that works well opposite to the young and disarming James Stewart, at one of the best points of his budding career.Others in the cast included Jean Hersholt, who appears as the priest that tries to convert Chico. This is the same actor whose name is synonymous with worthwhile causes within the film industry and who died much to young to continue his humanitarian work. Also, Gregory Ratoff, Gale Sondergaard, Sig Ruman and J. Edward Bromberg and the rest do great work in the film.The copy shown on cable was not exactly the best, but as in other memorable films, what matters is the story and the great performances that Henry King got from everyone.

Being a younger Jimmy Stewart fan, I of course am prone to relish in his early works because of how dashing and handsome he was. Just like any other Jimmy Stewart film, you will not be disappointed and if you do not like the movie in all its entirety you will definitely find something that you did like to take with you. Seventh Heaven turned out to be exactly what I expected from the title. Simone Simon was beautiful and wonderful in her role and Jimmy Stewart was charming and endearing as always. It is true that this film is dated...it was made in 1936 but the message it carries of true love will remain timeless. It was very uplifting and if you are a Jimmy Stewart fan esp. of his romances from earlier years this is a great, seven star film to watch. It will give you a great dose of Jimmy Stewart and a good sprinkle of faith to believe that true love does indeed conquer all.