STRAND

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 291, 29 February 1928, Page 15

STRAND

LAST OF “SEVENTH HEAVEN” TIIO triumphant season which has been enjoyed by “Seventh Heaven” at the Strand Theatre, is now drawing* 'to a close, for to-morrow marks the : final screening of this photoplay at ; that theatre. Simplicity is the keynote of the story, which relates the lives, love and self-reliance of two Parisians, a street-cleaner and an orphan girl of the poorest quarter, who are lifted into happiness by faith and sublime courage. As Diane, the younger sistv of a brutal drug-crazed woman of the lowest type, Janet Gaynor gives a most difficult characterisation in a manner | equal to anything previously seen on stage or screen. Her wonderful por- • trayal of the poor girl who is transformed by love and kindness into a beautiful woman, possesses a wonderful appeal. As Chico, “a most remarkable j fellow,” as he is fond of remarking, j Charles Farrell is perfect. Proud of j his status as one of the streetcleaners, who are among the elite of Montmartre, half-ashamed of his love for Diane, Chico is a truly human character. He scoffs at religion and believes himself an atheist, yet calls on ' God to guard his beloved when he! marches away with the French Army to defend Paris in the eventful days of 1914. Frank Borzage, who directed i the production, has achieved a masterpiece. It is a picture that cannot be | too highly praised, and one which no ’Aucklander should miss viewing. An artistic prologue, in which Mr. Birrell O’Malley and Miss Phyllis ’ Hazel appear, precedes the screening | of “Seventh Heaven.” “Chang” is the most remarkable picture of the age,” was the verdict of the Melbourne Press. This Paramount wonder picture, which is still playing to packed houses at the Athenaeum Theatre. Melbourne, will be j released in Zealand shortly.