7th Heaven (original) (raw)

A romance in which a seventh floor apartment represents heaven for a couple seeking to escap from time and the outside world.

Film Details

Genre

Silent

Adaptation

Drama

Romance

Release Date

Oct 30, 1927

Premiere Information

Los Angeles premiere: 6 May 1927

Production Company

Fox Film Corp.

Country

United States

Screenplay Information

Based on the novel Seventh Heaven by Austin Strong (New York, 1922).

Technical Specs

Duration

2h

Sound

Silent

Color

Black and White

Theatrical Aspect Ratio

1.33 : 1

Film Length

12 reels

Synopsis

Chico, a Paris sewer worker, desiring to be elevated to the position of street cleaner, burns prayer candles in the hope that God will give him another chance; he becomes embittered when his prayer for a blonde wife evokes no response. He rescues Diane, who has been victimized by her unscrupulous sister, Nana; and when denounced, Diane is saved from the police by Chico's claim that she is his wife. Their love is finally realized just as war breaks out, but their marriage is interrupted by the call to arms. Diane braves the war as a munitions worker and following the Armistice receives word that Chico is dead. He returns, however, though blinded, to restore the girl's faith and love.

Crew

Film Details

Genre

Silent

Adaptation

Drama

Romance

Release Date

Oct 30, 1927

Premiere Information

Los Angeles premiere: 6 May 1927

Production Company

Fox Film Corp.

Country

United States

Screenplay Information

Based on the novel Seventh Heaven by Austin Strong (New York, 1922).

Technical Specs

Duration

2h

Sound

Silent

Color

Black and White

Theatrical Aspect Ratio

1.33 : 1

Film Length

12 reels

Award Wins

Best Actress

1929

Janet Gaynor

Best Director

1929

Frank Borzage

Best Writing, Screenplay

1929

Award Nominations

Quotes

Trivia

This film was selected to the National Film Registry, Library of Congress, in 1995.

Notes

Janet Gaynor won the first Best Actress Academy Award for her work on this film, as well as for her work on Sunrise and Street Angel (see below). Frank Borzage won for Best Directing (Dramatic Picture), and Benjamin Glazer won Best Writing (Adaptation). The film also received certificates of honorable mention for art direction (Harry Oliver) and outstanding picture.

Miscellaneous Notes

Released in United States 1927

Released in United States 1997

Released in United States March 1985

Selected in 1995 for inclusion in the Library of Congress' National Film Registry.

Released in United States 1927

Released in United States March 1985 (Shown at FILMEX: Los Angeles International Film Exposition (Hollywood Tributes - Janet Gaynor) March 14-31, 1985.)

Released in United States 1997 (Shown in New York City (Walter Reade) as part of program "American Romantics: Frank Borzage and Margaret Sullavan" August 22 - September 16, 1997.)