The Big Parade facts for kids

The Big Parade is a famous silent movie from 1925. A silent movie means it had no spoken words. Instead, it used music and written messages on screen to tell the story.

The movie was directed by King Vidor. It stars John Gilbert and Renée Adorée. The story was inspired by a play and a book about World War I.

What is The Big Parade About?

The Big Parade tells the story of a young man named James Apperson. He comes from a wealthy family. James decides to join the U.S. Army during World War I.

Joining the Army

James becomes part of the Rainbow Division. He is sent to France to fight. In the army, he meets two working-class men. They become good friends.

Life in the Trenches

The movie shows the difficult life of soldiers. It highlights the dangers of trench warfare. This was a common way of fighting in World War I. Soldiers lived and fought in long, narrow ditches.

Finding Love in France

While in France, James also finds love. He falls for a French girl named Melisande. The film shows their romance. It also shows the challenges they face during wartime.

Why is The Big Parade Important?

The Big Parade was a huge success. It was one of the most popular movies of the 1920s. Many people watched it.

A Big Hit

The movie earned a lot of money. It made about $4.99 million in North America. It also made over $1.14 million from other countries. This was a lot of money for a movie back then.

A Classic Film

In 1992, The Big Parade was chosen for the National Film Registry. This is a special list kept by the Library of Congress. Movies on this list are important. They are saved because they are "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant." This means they are very important to American culture and history.

Images for kids

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  Renée Adorée and John Gilbert in The Big Parade

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  Renée Adorée