If you are old enough, you may remember long before cable tv, silent movies being re-born on PBS. After all, we only had about five or six channels back in the day! What an education it was, and still is, to watch early film making at its most spectacular. You have to credit PBS for airing these golden oldies, and what may have inspired future historians to call for their preservation. The film with a message. THE BIG PARADE is the greatest one of them all, certainly "the" war film that opened the door to contemporary battle epics, both pro and con. John Gilbert, in what may be his greatest role, stars as a twenty-something American soldier who goes to war --and may never come back. The silent screen actress, beautiful Renee Adoree, is also in a one of a kind role which she is so remembered for. Romance, drama, comedy and tragedy all rolled into one epic film thanks to the mastery of King Vidor. In later years, Vidor taught classes on film making and appeared on PBS to discuss his pioneering days in Hollywood. Interviews never to be forgotten. Vidor also served as producer. Always being re-issued on dvd and now blu ray. Recommended.
Review of The Big Parade
