7th Heaven (1927)

Winner of 3 Academy Awards:

Best Directing (Dramatic Picture)

Frank Borzage

Best Actress

Janet Gaynor

Best Writing (Adaptation)

Benjamin Glazer

Nominated for 2 Academy Awards:

Best Production

Fox

Best Art Direction

Harry Oliver

It won 3 Oscars out of a total of 5 nominations in 1927-28.


7th Heaven is the story of a Parisian street cleaner (a truly remarkable fellow named Chico), who rescues Diane, a young lady of the night.  In order to avoid incarceration, the two must pretend that they are a happily married couple.  As the charade progresses, they slowly fall in love only to be separated by war.

Janet Gaynor became the first Best Actress winner for her performance in this film, along with two others: Sunrise (1927) and Street Angel (1928). Originally, persons could be awarded for a single achievement, multiple achievements or an entire body of work.  Her performance in the film was one of three for which she was recognized. She would also hold the record of being the youngest person to have won Best Actress for an astonishing 58 years, before Marlee Matlin claimed the title in 1986.

Frank Borzage also became the only person to be awarded an Oscar for the Best Directing of a Dramatic Picture.  In the first year, directing had been divided into two separate categories to recognize achievements in both Comedy and Dramatic pictures.


Editorial:

Of most interest is that this film surprisingly spends a great deal of time pontificating on matters of faith.  Major characters take time to discuss at length the existence of God, with both atheism and theism being represented.  Thematically, it is actually one of the most important elements of the film, and religious medallions serve as a critical plot device.

Score  |  05/10  |  This motion picture may be worth watching.