Settimo cielo

Watching this movie, I can't understand why Simone Simon didn't become a great star. In this movie she's luminous on a level with Ingrid Bergman & Audrey Hepburn. Watch the scene where Jimmy Stewart really look at her for the first time as she turns her face to his with the melody of 'Diane' playing softly; movie magic!

She made two other well-known movies: Cat People & Curse of the Cat People, then her career dwindled into nothingness. Perhaps if she'd had more charismatic co-stars like James Stewart to play off against. She should have been James Cagney's unrequited love in "The Roaring Twenties" instead of that insipid Priscilla Lane (or was it Rosemary Lane?)

James Stewart is superb as Chico. He's awkward, gruff, reluctant to get involved with other people yet his core decency compels him prevent Diane's mistreatment and stop her suicide attempt. Stewart was probably that way in real life. I don't agree that he's miscast or that he should have a French accent. There are people like that in all countries. It's not about France or French people. Any urban setting like London, Rome, New York etc. would have done equally well.

I found the character played by J. Edward Bromberg rather disturbing. He kept showing up to rain on Diane's parade with those strange eyes. I kept hoping Diane would give him a beating like she did to Gale Sonergaard.

This movie has stuck with me since seeing it late at night on television 26 years ago. I became a Simon Simone fan and was already a Jimmy Stewart fan. An up lifting story showing that even the seemingly lowest people on the social scale can be courageous, serve a higher purpose, overcome hardships and past mistakes, and have a happy life shared with a true love. I have to admit to being a sucker for these types of movies though. This movie is similar to Cannery Row (Nick Nolte and Debra Winger) and The World Of Suzie Wong (William Holden and Nancy Kwan). I have never been able to find this movie showing on television since or on DVD or VHA. Wish I could find this one on DVD or VHS since I would love to share watching it with my wife.

A unique film - strangely haunting. Beautiful sets. I thought about this film for a long time after first seeing it. I've never seen another film quite like it. The story was very sweet, but also compelling, and unpredictable. I was frequently surprised by the plot which held my attention from beginning to end. Excellent acting and memorable characters. Recommended viewing.

This old romance takes place in Paris, with a fresh young star Simone Simon adding to the authenticity. It's not a very well known oldie, but if you like James Stewart and want to see him in one of his earlier dramas before he was typecast as George Bailey, check it out. Just don't pay attention to his lack of a French accent.

Jimmy plays a low-class street sweeper in Paris who wants to be highbrow. He just doesn't seem to get the right breaks (or arguably, his bad judgment keeps him stuck) and he never gets ahead. Even when he falls in love, he picks a girl as penniless and hopeless as he is. Simone gets in trouble with the police, and they don't have two sticks to rub together when they finally get married. They live in a leaky, crumbling apartment that's cold all the time. Will he end up kissing the banister, or will their troubles continue to get in the way of true love?

Surprisingly, my brother really liked this movie. He's seen more than his fair share of old movies, but given his druthers he would always rather watch a modern movie. He was impressed with Simone's talent and he liked seeing Jimmy in a darker role than he was used to.

Being a younger Jimmy Stewart fan, I of course am prone to relish in his early works because of how dashing and handsome he was. Just like any other Jimmy Stewart film, you will not be disappointed and if you do not like the movie in all its entirety you will definitely find something that you did like to take with you. Seventh Heaven turned out to be exactly what I expected from the title. Simone Simon was beautiful and wonderful in her role and Jimmy Stewart was charming and endearing as always. It is true that this film is dated...it was made in 1936 but the message it carries of true love will remain timeless. It was very uplifting and if you are a Jimmy Stewart fan esp. of his romances from earlier years this is a great, seven star film to watch. It will give you a great dose of Jimmy Stewart and a good sprinkle of faith to believe that true love does indeed conquer all.