The Washington times., 1927-10-17
9TH HEAVEN" /
GIFT TO THE
MASSES

Although the Fox Theater is
already a Washington institution,
the movie going public aren't
We all?) cannot yet cease to
marvel at the wonders Roxy per.
forms.
This week, the screens super.
Snowman presents a film Of un.
usual distinction coupled with
stage advertisements OF glowing
beauty. Seventh Heaven" easily
ranks as one Of the years 10
best photoplays. Based on the
popular stage production, which
has been presented in Washing.
ton several times in the past
few years. the film does high
justice to the original, devIating
little from the plot structure,
often embellishing it.
IT IL the story of Chico, that
remarkable fellow, who, worked
In the sewers Of Paris, Chico
who wanted but two things from
lie Bon Dieu, a street cleaners
job and a good wife with golden
= hair. The good padre supplied
the one and he found the wife,
slightly soiled, in the gutter. 1t
Is hard to believe that an en-.
thralling romantic love story
: could be woven about these
characters. sewer rats, street
cleaners and street women. And
. film made of it that the movie
public would devour
Whereas the stage play makes
much of the character and phi
losophy of this boasting Chico,
the film necessarily sloughs over
much Of this and stresses the
love theme and action Thus
we have fine portrayal of the
love nest of Monsieur and Madame
Chico among the roof tops Of
Montmartre and the sending of
taxicabs to stem the Teuton adj
dance on Paris. What sight
this isl Poilus piled in and on
these quaint contraptions, rush.
ing at breakneck speed toward
the Marine. We doubt whether
the original episode was as pic
turesque.
Janet Gaynor, while not typl.
cally French, does a beautiful job
In the leading female role, that
of Diane who knew her Chico
would come back from the war,
though he had been officially re.
ported dead. Charles Farrell is
as good a Chico as the limitations
Of the screen will permit.
The other character roles are
exceedingly well handled. Gladys
Brockwell is the maniacal sister
of Diane, Emile Chautard the
Pere Chevillon; David Butler.
Goblin the street washer, and Ben,
Bard, the cab driver, Marie Mos.
quini, who was featured years
ago in slapstick two-reelers, has
q minor part.
film are vocal accompaniment to
the music, something new for
Washington. We believe.
The prologue consists of a war
pageant, booming Of guns and a
tableau, They Shall Not Pass"
with a chorus Of mems voices.
Marion Keller and James Melton
are in the two leading roles.
The other stage presentations
this week consist OF live depic.
Ion OIL mHleLS painting Ine An.
gelus," Rubenstein's ''Kamenol
Ostrow," against a Maxfield Par.
rish blue drop, and the Doll Dance
from the Tales of Hoffman, with
Beatrice Belkin, Adam Dockray
and ballet. Very good too.
A newsreel and a moviephone
mot unlike the vitaphone) of the
Legion meeting in Paris conclude
the program You will get good
laugh out OF General Pershing's
clearing his throat over the
moviephone. It's one of those
things that shouldn't be done.
Judging from the crowds storm.
ing the Fox Sunday our advice
not to miss. this weeks bill Is un.
necessary. and is just thrown in
gratis with this review.-L. p.