STRAND

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 281, 17 February 1928, Page 14

STRAND

“SEVENTH HEAVEN’S” POPULARITY Winding and twisting their tortuous way beneath the swirling metropolis of Paris axe the sewers. There are, too, the men who work in these underground lanes, who are responsible for the health of the great city. How many give them a thought as they walk or drive through the streets? It is just an insight into the lives of such people as these that is to be found in that great story, “Seventh Heaven,” which last night entered into its third week at the Strand Theatre to a packed house. It is not only a story of the sewers and the men who work therein, but it tells, too, of the lives of two girls—sisters, one of whom is a beautiful maid in looks and disposition, the other a veritable beast in human guise. Lured from their guardian in a quiet little country* district by her sister’s wild desire to see life, the pair journey to Paris. Romance, misery, misfortune, and happiness follow in turn. There comes then into the story Chico, die remarkable fellow in his own estimation, who is proud of the fact that he is an atheist, but he is a character as *rue and lovable as ever could be found. Janet Gaynor as Diane, and Charles Farrell as Chico, are the leading characters in this wonderful romance of Paris. Each gives a masterly interpretation of their respective roles. Diane, the sister, whom hardships and beatings from her drug-maddened sister cannot drag under, is a personality that will live forever. Miss Gaynor portrays this role with consummate skill and artistry. This is perhaps the finest role of hers to date. Charles Farrell makes a splendid Chico, and seems to have dropped right out of the book into his place on the screen. A well-known critic of the pictuie world has written the fololwing of this photo-play: “A romantic drama of the regeneration of lovers—one which surges with fine humanities, and tugs at the emotions with its heart touches, is ‘Seventh Heaven/ It was once a play—a good one. In the screen transcription it faithfully carries on its song of love and well-tempered notes of pathos and humour. Patrons will be impressed with its treatment, directed as it is with imagination and feeling. Frank Borzage has captured all of the moving qualities which served it so well upon the stage. Nothing has escaped the director in translating it to the screen. The characters are clearly defined, and never for an instant do they step out of the story. The theme of regeneration is strictly adhered to in the ten-* der, quaintly humorous story of the sewer man who would rise in the world to become a street washer, and the

abused waif who climbs to mm... heights in her escape from a vido-‘ drug-crazed sister.” The remainder of the programme it eludes "Solitude,” an excellent seem showing some of the world's mcr famous mountains. The prologue to "Seventh Heater, i. decidedly artistic, and brings ft, atmosphere of the picture very ck>& Mr. Birrell O’Malley, as Chico, ti.i Miss Phyllis Hazel as Diane, portrv a delightful little scena as they ait: from the roof-tops of Paris. The continued popularity of thie fib is not likely to wane, but everyone trite wishes to see it should lose no onpor tunity.