"THE BIG PARADE."

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19170, 29 November 1927, Page 13

"THE BIG PARADE."

GREAT WAR PICTURE. GRAND THEATRE ATTRACTION. Thero have been many war pictures screened in Chrlstchurch during the last few years, and it is safe to say that this week's attraction at the Grand Thoatre, "Tho Big Parade," compares favourably with any of them. It is, in the opinion of many picture patrons, a great film, but it must not be thought that it is perfect. There are several weaknesses in the picture, but only in details, and the general standard of the production is so high that these are readily overlooked. "The Big Parade" caused much discussion when it was screened in London. It was considered that as the picture purported to show the work 6f the Allies on the Wostern Front, too much attention was paid in it to the efforts of the Americana. As a matter of fact, there is nothing in the film to cause any offence in this connexion. No attempt is made to belittle the deods of the Allies, particularly of Britain, and, indeed, it is announced that while America lost 70,000 mon at.tho front, tho losses of Britain wore, no loss than 900,000. It is also stated that while the three principal characters are American, they might just as easily have boon soldiers of any other Allied country. These heroes are different in type, two of them being responsible for most of the humour of the production, while tho third man, John Gilbert, has a "straight" role. There are some remarkable battle scenes in tho picture—aeroplanoß, tanks, heavy guns, and all the other man-killing equipment of war being seen in action with realistic effect. The destruction of a German machino-gun nest by "Slim" is a really thrilling piece of work, and recalled to many returned soldiers present the horrors that they had passed through a few years ago. The attack by an enemy 'plane on a party of American troops on the march is another scene that is effectively produced. Nor could any fault be found with the scenes of French villages and refugees driven from their homes with just what proporty they could take away with them. The playing of John Gilbert as Jim Apperson is an excellent piece of acting, and Miss Reneo Adoreo as the French maiden Melisande is equally at home in comedy as well as the heavier moments. With its great appeal, "The Big Parado" should attract largo attendances at the theatre for the remainder of the season. Prior .to the screening "of the film Mr Arthur Macdonald, the well-known Christchurch baritone, sang "The' Big Parado" and "The Sergeant-Major on Parade," and was given a cordial reception. In support of the principal picture is the comedy, "Let George Do It," and the usual news film, which, contains an excellent view of the recent eruption of Mt. Vesuvius. The Grand Quality Orchestra play 3 a specially scored musical programme in conjunction with the big production.