7th Heaven

Set in Paris in the years before the First World War, 7th Heaven follows Chico, a sewer worker who dreams of a better life and has grown bitter in his prayers. He rescues Diane, a young woman abused by her older sister, and passes her off as his wife to keep her from the police. The two share his cramped attic apartment high above Montmartre and, despite their poverty, fall in love. Their plans to marry are overtaken by the outbreak of war, which brings new hardship to lives that were already difficult.

Frank Borzage directed the film, working from a screenplay by Benjamin Glazer, Katherine Hilliker and H.H. Caldwell, with William Fox producing for Fox Film Corporation. Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrell lead the cast as Diane and Chico, supported by Albert Gran, David Butler, Marie Mosquini and Gladys Brockwell. Made for about a million dollars, it returned roughly three million worldwide, a strong result for its time. On TMDB it holds a rating of 7.3 from 121 votes, indicating a warm response from those who have seen it.

The film stands first in the chronological list of Borzage's work given here, ahead of A Farewell to Arms, Desire, Mannequin, Strange Cargo and Moonrise.