The Big Parade (1925)

A young American soldier witnesses the horrors of the Great War.

Directors:

King Vidor, George W. Hill (uncredited)

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:

national film registry | bozo as epithet | 1910s | france | world war one | 

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Taglines:

Laurence Stallings' great motion picture story following his stage success with "What Price Glory"

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Genres:

Drama | Romance | War

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

USA

Release Date:

1926 (Austria)

Also Known As:

Die Parade des Todes

Filming Locations:

Chapman Ave. Orange, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$245,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$11,000,000

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$22,000,000, 31 December 1985

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

140 min 130 min 128 min (1988 TCM print) 151 min (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

In an ironic turn, this film that dealt so intensely with the death of young men was plagued by the deaths at an early age of several people associated with it. Star John Gilbert died at 38 and Renée Adorée died at 35. In addition, the movie's uncredited, though legendary, producer Irving Thalberg died at 37, and co-star Karl Dane ("Slim") died at 47.

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Goofs

The soldiers march past eucalyptus trees during the Belleau Wood sequence. Native to Australia, eucalyptus trees are not found in that region of France. They can, however, be found in Griffith Park, Los Angeles, where the sequence was shot.

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Quotes

James Apperson: Do you think he'll make it all right?
Bull: Sure! Slim'll come back wearin' the Kaiser's moustache!

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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 Widows' Peak (1994)

User Reviews

One of the Finest Movies of Its Own or Any Other Era

A fine silent classic that has held up very well, "The Big Parade" is one of the very best films of its era and of its genre. It has a nice blend of drama, action, and lighter moments, with plenty of good photography and settings. The characters are simple, believable, and unpretentious, and they are brought to life well by the cast. Its commentary on the war is to the point, yet in a thoughtful way, without the heavy-handed cinematic ranting that mars so many films about war.

The early scenes work very well in introducing some of the characters and themes. Its portrayal of the USA's entry into the war is intelligently done, while holding nothing back in its perspective. By not assigning blame or responsibility to any specific persons or countries, it enhances its portrayal of the kind of mentality that so often prevails in such situations. It is a believable, and sometimes subtle, sequence that works quite well.

Once the movie gets into the main story, it uses the "parade" imagery well, and combines it effectively with the personal development of the characters.

John Gilbert and Renée Adorée work quite well together, and Gilbert's army pals are both used effectively. There are quite a few memorable scenes as it depicts a full variety of wartime experiences. The lighter sequences are used particularly well, not as raucous humor but as moments of the more sensitive side of human nature that is still there somewhere amidst all of the turmoil.

There's much more that could be said about such an absorbing film, but watching the movie is more rewarding than reading about it. It's neither an action-heavy war film nor a superficial, easily understood movie contrived to prove a particular point; it's something much better that fully repays careful attention and appreciation.