There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

Having been made famously as a silent film that won Janet Gaynor the first ever Best Actress Oscar (along with several other films made around the same time), this remake is beautifully remade, but in many ways, appears to have been meant to be silent. The era of World War I Paris is the setting for this romance of two outsiders: a sewer worker (James Stewart) who wants to work above ground, and a cabaret "hostess" (Simone Simon) whose cruel sister (Gale Sondergaard at her most sinister) passes her off to male clients as if she was a pair of old shoes. Tired of her sister's cruelty, Simon longs to get away, and thanks to Stewart who catches Sondergaard beating her, she does, threatening to dump her into the sewer if she doesn't stay away from her sister. Determined to protect the innocent young Simon, Stewart claims to be married to her, and moves her into his apartment building where their romance expands into love. But with the onslaught of World War I and Stewart's sudden draft, that leaves Simon open to the machinations of the vengeful Sondergaard, and tragedy rears its ugly head as Simon gains the strength to stand up for herself and find her own inner heaven.This has some fantastic moments throughout, from the beautiful but dangerous setting to the sequence where Stewart nearly dumps Sondergaard into the abyss of the Paris underground, to those small romantic moments between Simon and Stewart, and then Simon's response to Sondergaard's return and the tragic situation of Stewart being off at war and believed to be dead. Simon's girlish performance makes her seem weak at first, but even in a dooey eyed doe is a mama lioness in the making, and her roar is unforgettable in a triumphant scene that will have you cheering her on. Jean Hersholt is memorable as a local priest who questions Stewart on his atheism, and Sig Ruman is hilariously piggish as a customer of Sondergaard's who takes his date with Simon too far. Other memorable cast members include Gregory Ratoff as a local rebel, Rafaela Ottiano as a nosy neighbor of Stewart's, and Mady Christians as a motherly woman in Stewart's building who becomes Simon's protector, for as long as she needs one. For all of the silent elements transferred over with the use of dialog, this is still a very memorable melodrama that will leave you touched, right up to the inspiring fadeout.

A remarkable movie about life and love,a wise poor cleaner drains underground who are in clash with God's existence and help a young prostitute that is about to goes to the jail saying to police officer that actually she is your wife and take her to own home and to cheat the police a while,along these few days together something grow up between them...a tale about true love and how it convert the people to another path,Simone Simon as Diane and James Stewart made a unmatched performance and a powerful set design to be a real Paris at this period of time,sweet and amazing story to all mankind!! Resume: First watch: 2017 / How many: 1 / Source: DVD / Rating: 9

This motion picture can now be seen at a well known website, and I just viewed it for the first time yesterday evening, and ... Now, firstly, how can anyone say that Jimmy Stewart was miscast? I thought that both Jimmy Stewart and Simone Simon were perfect. By the way, your website notes the circumstances as to how her father died, and after leaving behind such a wonderful daughter, he did not die in vain. Next, as Diane shows an evidently avid interest in the kitchen, some might now say that might be somewhat out of date - you know, not exactly a power situation. Well, there are still a number of good guys out there, and if they ever had a chance to meet someone like Diane, no matter what she asked, they wouldn't even dream of saying no. How's that for a power situation?Some reviewers also misunderstand who Diane was while she was under her sister's rule. For example, when Sig Rumann merely tried to offer a kiss, look what happened. Continuing, I also note that in real life, Simone Simon never married, and I wouldn't be surprised if this reflects her role in this movie - an angel and a saint. Finally, this motion picture didn't receive a hint of the recognition that it so richly deserved when it came out, and I wonder why?

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.