The Big Parade (1925)

Director:

King Vidor

Writers:

Harry Behn (scenario)
Joseph Farnham (titles)
Laurence Stallings (story)

Release Date:

1926 (Austria)

Genre:

Drama | Romance | War

Tagline:

King Vidor's PICTURIZATION of LAURENCE STALLINGS' GREAT STORY

Plot:

The idle son of a rich businessman joins the army when the U.S.A. enters World War One. He is sent to France...

Plot Keywords:

Gas Mask | WWI | Machine Gun | Sniper | Wine Cellar

Awards:

3 wins

Cast

  (Complete credited cast)

John Gilbert	...	James Apperson
Renée Adorée	...	Melisande
Hobart Bosworth	...	Mr. Apperson
Claire McDowell	...	Mrs. Apperson
Claire Adams	...	Justyn Reed
Robert Ober	...	Harry Apperson
Tom O'Brien	...	Bull
Karl Dane	...	Slim
Rosita Marstini	...	Melisande's mother

Also Known As:

Runtime:

141 min | USA:130 min (re-release) | 126 min (TCM print)

Country:

USA

Color:

Black and White (with tinted sequences)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

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

Certification:

Portugal:17 (short version) | Spain:13

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Trivia:

Is the highest grossing silent film of all time, making $22 million during its worldwide release

Goofs:

Errors in geography: The three future recruits live in New York City (one works construction on a skyscraper, another works a bar in the Bowery), but during the recruitment parade, there are shots of wide avenues lined with low buildings and palm trees - clearly shots of 1920s Los Angeles.

Quotes:

James Apperson:Waiting! Orders! Mud! Blood! Stinking stiffs! What the hell do we get out of this war anyway!

Movie Connections:

Featured in Some of the Best (1949)

Just magnificent silent film

The Big Parade is one of those films that left profound impact on me after single viewing. This focus on John Gilbert's character, Jim, whose experienced a major changes in his life, which has dire consquences and good results. It is easy why John Gilbert became superstar after this film because he's terrific actor, whose can commanded such a expression with his face. It is very seldom to see the actor like that one. Karl Dane did great job by providing comedy relief as Slim. Tom O'Brien did really fantastic job as Bull, a bartender, who keep in balance with John Gilbert.

I cannot think of single film that is perfect translated in 3 acts and The Big Parade is great example of that one. The 3 acts in The Big Parade represented significant changes in Gilbert's life. Some may disliked comedy relief but that was intend for making us caring more for the characters, which works for me.

Many films are lucky to have one great sequence. The Big Parade are being linked by series of magnificent sequences, which is rarity. Renee Adoree did great job by portraying Melisande, the French girl who had fell in love with Gilbert. Look for that moment between them when Gilbert had to leave for mission. Such a heartbreaking moment in cinema history. I was very sad at that moment.

Gilbert, had Academy Awards existed, would have probably won an Academy Award for best actor because it's one of the great performance I've ever seen. King Vidor did really great job directing this outstanding film. It is very seldom that silent cinema can move me as much as sounds does. I hope I can watch it again in future because it's truly fantastic film in its own rights.

****/****