The Big Parade 1925

      This film is adapted from the autobiographical novel Plumes by Laurence Stallings.  The time setting is from 1917 to 1918 and this is the period the United States fought in WWI.  James Apperson is the son of a rich businessman and his father pressures him into joining the Army.  He is sent to France with the Army Rainbow Division and he makes friends with two working-class soldiers.  James receives a cake in the mail from his long time girlfriend and he shares it with his friends Bull and Slim.  James meets a young Frenchwoman in the village of Champillon in the Marne and they quickly fall in love.  James tells Melisande about his American fiancé Justyn and they aren’t sure what they are going to do about this new relationship.

      I didn’t know before viewing that this movie is a silent film and in black and white.  WWI was a very devastating war and the Rainbow Division is sent to advance against snipers and machine guns in the woods.  There is also poison gas and artillery shelling.  As the men march in a horizontal line, many are killed.  The survivors shelter in a shell hole during the night.  James is in a hole with Bull and Slim.  3 1/2* (I liked this movie)    

131 min, Drama directed by King Vidor, George W. Hill with John Gilbert, Renee Adoree, Hobart Bosworth, Claire McDowell, Claire Adams, Robert Ober, Tom O’Brien, Karl Dane, Rosita Marstini.

Note:  Imdb 8.3 out of 10, 100% critic 92% audience on Rotten Tomatoes, Amazon 4.4* out of 5* with 82 reviews, TCM Leonard Maltin 4* out of 4* 4.5* out of 5* user rating.

Special Note:  Filmed in Culver City, Orange and Los Angeles, California; San Antonio, Texas.  Originally, King Vidor had a contract that entitled him to 20% of the net profits.  MGM accountants persuaded him to sell his stake in the film for a small sum.  The film ran for 96 weeks at New York’s Astor Theater and grossed $5 million (approximately $50 million in 2003 dollars).  It was the most profitable release in MGM history.  Over time, the film grossed $22 million worldwide (approximately $220 million in 2003 dollars).  Vidor could’ve made $44 million in 2003 dollars.  The production cost was $245,000.  The War Department loaned the producers over 200 Army trucks, approximately 4,000 soldiers and over 100 airplanes.  The doughboy costume worn by John Gilbert was housed in The Crocker Museum in Hollywood for a time.  Included in the 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die list edited by Steven Schneider.