"SEVENTH HEAVEN."

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19170, 29 November 1927, Page 13

"SEVENTH HEAVEN."

"CHICO—DIANE—HEAVEN." A list of Hie great personages who havo written voluntary appreciations of "Seventh Haaven" reads like "Who's Who." Lord Boavorbrook says: "This picture is the most charming I have seen"; Sir John Martin Harrey, inter-alia, says it is the most beautiful film he has ever seen, while with cheerful and characteristic loquacity Mr Seymour Hicks writes two glowing pages of praise and enthusiasm. Lilian Braithwnitc, Madge Tithoridgo, Hl.laline Terris, and Owen Nares are some of tho other great stage artists who havo eulogised this exquisite story of Paris slums, Paris misery, and Paris joy. The Fox production of Austin Strong'B delicate and enchanting play has been secured for a briof season nt the Grand Thoatre, whore it will open next Monday. The play lias a certain personal appeal to all New Zealanders, for Austin Strong received part of his education at "Victoria College, Wellington. The drama is set in the Paris slumß, and that immense seat of war when the hordes of grey-coated warriors from over tho Rhine were within 30 miles of the conquered of 1870, locales that do not spell delicacy and fancy. But "Seventh Heaven" is tho story that can cause the flowers of beauty and romance to bloom in any soil. Never, in the history of modorn photography, has anything been seen like tho ceaseless line of taxi-cabs hurrying their cargoes to stem tho oncoming tide, General Gallicni's impromptu army; one remembers that gallant and fantastic incident of tho Great War as something grimly humorous; in this picturo it receives flattering attention, and is one of the many amazing highlights of a flint that is replete with highlights. Tho story is, of course, centred in Ohico, the sowor-rat; Chico, who, in his own words, "was a very remarkable fellow," and, although an atheist, prayed the good God to grant him three things: to bo elevated to street cleaner, to ride in a taxi-cab, and to have a wife with golden hair. And thon there is Diano, unhappy, thin, terrified, halfcrazed by Nana, her wicked sister; Diane, whom Ohico so reluctantly rescues from Nana and takes to his garret up near tho stars. And it is only when Chico has taught Diane the meaning of "courage," and it is only when Ohico is rudely torn away to fight for France, and is nearly afraid, that they find their Seventh Heaveu. And what fbllows is as nearly tragedy as this innocent and picturesque romance possesses; very nearly tragody for Diane and her Chico. But then he is a very remarkable fellow, and it would bo grossly unfair to reveal how they regain their seventh heaven, in the garret up near the stars. Janet Gaynor as Diane is a pocket Duse in her gentler moods. A few mouths ago she was playing in average pictures with average talent; in one production she has leapt to the side of Norma Talmadge. Charles Forrell as Chico, the sewer-rat, plays his part with magnificent airiness that places him, with his partner in triumph, in tho front Jlne. Then there are Albert Gran, as Papa Boul, the dirty and lovable old taxidriver. David Butler as Gobin, tho quiet and dignified and ugly street cleaner, who could not recognise the sewor-rat as a neighbour until his promotion to n like profession; his little wife, restfully played by Marie Mosquini, and the Fere Chivillon of Emil Chautard, who might have stepped out of some grey old monastery. Finally the Nana of Gladys Brockwell, a thankless and disagreeable role, but Miss Brockwell is the greater actress for hor unselfish presentation of a character that has not one single redeeming feature. "Seventh Heaven" is the most artistic work of the screen.