7th Heaven (1927)

anet Gaynor ("Diane") could almost be a porcelain doll in this delightful depiction of a young girl who is rescued from a whipping from her violent sister by the handsome sewer worker "Chico" (Charles Farrell), who dreams of promotion one day to the become a street washer. When the police arrive and attempt to take her into custody, he claims she is his wife - and the two must co-habit for a while until the authorities satisfy themselves that this actually is the case (and that she is not a prostitute!). Initially sceptical and wary of each other, they gradually start to bond; to fall in love - until, that is, the call to arms for all young Frenchmen is issued to combat the approaching Boche. He must leave to defend his country, she is left having to do some defending of her own - from the gentle, but nonetheless unwanted, attentions of "Col. Brissac" (Ben Bard). The plot is simple, and straightforward. It takes us on an engaging journey as the couple discover the best in themselves, challenge a few of their long held views (particularly around the influence of God in their lives) and deal with the consequences of war - and the chemistry between the two is brought to the screen wonderfully by the illuminating score and some delicately intimate photography from Frank Borzage. There is humour here too - not least in the fact that he is about two foot taller - with Albert Gran, the curmudgeonly "Papa Boul" and David Butler, his fellow street washer "Gobin" who lives next door - via a pretty precarious plank of wood between their buildings! The inter-titles are perfectly paced to allow us to follow the gist of the dialogue, but mostly we are left to enjoy it as it is - and I have to say I found it well worth it.