The Big Parade (1925)

The idle son of a rich businessman joins the army when the U.S.A. enters World War One. He is sent to France, where he becomes friends with two working-class soldiers. He also falls in love... See full summary »

Director:

King Vidor

Writers:

Laurence Stallings (story), Harry Behn (scenario),

Stars:

John Gilbert, Renée Adorée, Hobart Bosworth

3 wins.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
John Gilbert	...	James Apperson
Renée Adorée	...	Melisande (as Renee Adoree)
Hobart Bosworth	...	Mr. Apperson
Claire McDowell	...	Mrs. Apperson
Claire Adams	...	Justyn Reed
Robert Ober	...	Harry
Tom O'Brien	...	Bull
Karl Dane	...	Slim
Rosita Marstini	...	French Mother

Storyline

The idle son of a rich businessman joins the army when the U.S.A. enters World War One. He is sent to France, where he becomes friends with two working-class soldiers. He also falls in love with a Frenchwoman, but has to leave her to move to the frontline.

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Plot Keywords:

world war one | france | lost technicolor scene | infantry | battlefield | 

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Taglines:

King Vidor's PICTURIZATION of LAURENCE STALLINGS' GREAT STORY

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Genres:

Drama | Romance | War

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Certificate:

Passed

Details

Country:

USA

Release Date:

1926 (Austria)

Also Known As:

Die Parade des Todes

Filming Locations:

Griffith Park - 4730 Crystal Springs Drive, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$245,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

140 min 140 min 130 min 128 min (1988 TCM print)

Sound Mix:

Silent Mono (music and sound effects) (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Black and White (with tinted sequences)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Officially MGM Released that Studio electrician Carl Barlow died during production when he slipped and fell off a platform. However what actually happened was a shelf collapsed above him and he was crushed to death by lighting equipment.

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Goofs

Early in the movie, we see James Apperson announce that he has enlisted. His father, who had been sternly lecturing him moments before, comes up and congratulates him. Suddenly, the father now has a lit cigar in his mouth, with a long ash, indicating he's been smoking it for at least a while. But all the time prior, we saw no sign that the father had a lit cigar anywhere on him or near him.

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Quotes

James Apperson: [to Melisande, who speaks French] French is Greek to me.

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Crazy Credits

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer gratefully acknowledges the splendid co-operation of the Second Division, United States Army and Air Service Units, Kelly Field.

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Connections

Referenced in Show People (1928)

User Reviews

A great silent classic

Even though I have already heard a great deal about this film, I was surprised to see the strength of the movie. It holds up very well, and it´s not very dated, except for some short comic scenes where John Gilbert is with his friends.

There are several great and memorable moments, especially the one in which Gilbert and Reneé Adoreé are separated and the end of the movie, which is still very powerfull. An almost perfect film.