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The Big Parade

Celebrating the films of the First World War

July 10, 2014 - Sarah Strohl

Publicity still of Clara Bow in "Wings" (1927).

The Harry Ransom Center’s current exhibition The World at War, 1914–1918 marks the centennial anniversary of the start of World War I. “The war to end all wars,” as it was optimistically dubbed, was one of the deadliest conflicts in history and paved the way for cultural and political change worldwide. This war, entrenched with heartbreak, heroes, villains, and camaraderie, inspired many stories both historical and fictional—some of which were captured for the silver screen.

 

Some of these films, including Wings (1927), The Big Parade (1925), and Sergeant York (1941), are highlighted in the current exhibition and the ongoing World War I Film Series, co-sponsored by the Austin Film Society and the Paramount Theatre.

 

Wings, released by Paramount Pictures in 1927, was filmed on location in San Antonio and was an homage to pilots of the First World War. The film tells the tale of two young fighter pilots who fall in love with the same woman. Hundreds of extras and some 300 pilots were involved in the filming, including pilots and planes of the United States Air Corps. It was directed by William “Wild Bill” Wellman, who had been both an ambulance driver and pilot during the war.

 

Starlet Clara Bow played Mary Preston, an irresistible Red Cross ambulance driver. Though Bow, known largely for her flapper dresses and pearls, despised the army uniforms required for her role, the film was one of her most successful. Wings costume designer Edith Head commented: “It’s pretty hard to look sexy in a U.S. Army uniform, but Clara managed.”

 

Wings went on to win the Academy Award for Best Picture at the first Academy Awards ceremony in 1929. A film still from Wings is on view in the galleries.

 

King Vidor’s poignant and humanizing silent film The Big Parade follows the spoiled, lazy son of a wealthy family as he joins the army and proceeds to make a few friends and fall in love amid the hardships of war.

 

The Big Parade portrayed the human costs of war and was influential in the creation of later war movies. Widely popular, the film earned MGM studios an almost instant profit of $3.4 million upon reception. Watch a screening of The Big Parade at the Paramount Theatre tomorrow at 7 p.m. as part of the World War I Film Series.

 

Directed by Howard Hawks and starring Gary Cooper, Sergeant York is the true story of one of World War I’s most decorated soldiers, Alvin York. York was a hillbilly sharpshooter who, despite his misgivings and claims of being a pacifist, was drafted into the war and became a hero. Sergeant York was the top grossing film in 1941, and Cooper won the Academy Award for best actor.

 

Warner Brothers is releasing these three films, along with Dawn Patrol, in the WWI Centennial Commemoration DVD set on July 22.

 

Please click on thumbnails below to view larger images.

 

Publicity still from “The Big Parade” (1925).
Publicity still from "The Dawn Patrol" (1938).
Publicity still from “The Dawn Patrol” (1938).
Publicity still of Clara Bow in "Wings" (1927).
Publicity still of Clara Bow in “Wings” (1927).
Publicity still from “Wings” (1927).
Publicity still from "Sergeant York" (1941).
Publicity still from “Sergeant York” (1941).
Publicity still from "Sergeant York" (1941).
Publicity still from “Sergeant York” (1941).
Publicity still from "Sergeant York" (1941).
Publicity still from “Sergeant York” (1941).
Publicity still from "Sergeant York" (1941).
Publicity still from “Sergeant York” (1941).
Film still from “The Big Parade” (1925).
Cover of a program for "The Big Parade" (1925).
Cover of a program for “The Big Parade” (1925).

 

 

Filed Under: Exhibitions + Events, Film Tagged With: Academy Awards, Clara Bow, Dawn Patrol, Film, Gary Cooper, Harry Ransom Center, Ransom Center, Sergeant York, The Big Parade, The World at War 1914-1918, Warner Brothers, Wings, World War I

World War I Film Series highlights films made during and about the First World War

May 5, 2014 - Gabrielle Inhofe

Film still from "A Farewell to Arms" (1932).

In conjunction with the current exhibition The World at War, 1914–1918, the Ransom Center, Austin Film Society, and Paramount Theatre are presenting a series of 13 films centered around World War I.

 

The films will be screened from May through July at the Ransom Center, Paramount Theatre, and Marchesa Hall & Theatre. Tonight, Grand Illusion (1937) will be screened at 7 p.m. at the Stateside Theater at the Paramount.

 

Other films in the series include All Quiet on the Western Front (1930), The African Queen (1951), The Big Parade (1925), Gallipoli (1981),  J’Accuse! (1919), Jules and Jim (1962), Paths of Glory (1957), The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp (1943), Sergeant York (1941), A Farewell to Arms (1932), Shoulder Arms (1918), and Lawrence of Arabia (1962).

 

Screenings at the Ransom Center are free. Tickets are required for screenings at the Paramount and Marchesa Theatre and may be purchased at their box offices or on the Paramount website or the Austin Film Society’s website.

 

The Ransom Center’s Charles Nelson Prothro Theater has limited seating. Line forms upon arrival of the first person, and doors open 30 minutes in advance. Patrons are encouraged to visit the exhibition, which is open until 7 p.m. on Thursdays, before attending the screenings.

Image: Film still from A Farewell to Arms (1932).

Filed Under: Exhibitions + Events, Film Tagged With: A Farewell to Arms, All Quiet on the Western Front, Austin Film Society, Gallipoli, Grand Illusion, J’Accuse!, Jules and Jim, Lawrence of Arabia, Marchesa Hall and Theatre, Paramount Theatre, Paths of Glory, Sergeant York, Shoulder Arms, The African Queen, The Big Parade, The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp, World War I Film Series

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