44 Seventh Heaven”

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20247, 16 July 1937, Page 4

44 Seventh Heaven ”

Though ever searching for new stories, Hollywood may always turn to a seleot few that have been done before with Certainty that the results will be happy, for film history reveals that plays and pictures which have attained outstanding success In previous appearances repeat that happy reoord when filmed again. “ Seventh Heaven,” the famous Austin Strong play, has been made into a motion picture for the second time. It hat! enjoyed a recordbreaking pace during Its stage run, and, as a silent picture with Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrell as its stars, was a stand-out amongst silent motion pictures. The phenomenon Is not difficult to explain, says Henry King, Academy Prize winning director who was In charge of “ Seventh Heaven ’’ filming. First, of course, is the fact that a good play Is always good. Shakespeare's dramas prove that. In addition, however, It Is believed that with each repetition, a screen play Is Improved. When a film has once been an outstanding success, that record stands os a challenge to everyone concerned with its later production. That means that, while basically tho same plav, It emerges a different show In that writers, director and players have made upon It the impress of their efforts to exceed What has been done before. In the 20th Century-Fox production of Se\ cut !i Heaven” the leading toles are played by Simone Simon, who made her American film dehut In ** Girls’ Dormitory ” and in " Seventh Heaven" she has the role she was born to play—the street waif Diane who was afraid to believe in happiness; and James Stewart as the valiant " Chico.” Jean Hersholt. Thomas Beck. Gregory RatotT, John Qualen. Slgfrled Bumnnn and Mady Christians are In the supporting cast*.