Marching towards Veterans Day with John Gilbert in King Vidor's 'The Big Parade' (1925) on Sunday, Nov. 9 at Somerville Theatre

At the Crandell Theatre in Chatham, N.Y. Hey, that doesn't look like me on the marquee!

Pleased to report I've emerged intact from the annual Halloween silent film steeplechase. 

Yes, the last half of October is the busiest time of the year for this silent film accompanist, with screenings pretty much every night for two weeks straight.

But I'm not complaining! I played for audiences in six states, in venues ranging from a library basement to a genuinely spooky intact 1925 moviehouse. 

Made a lot of friends on the way, too, through which I hope to continue spreading the gospel of silent film with live music. 

And now comes Veterans Day. Next up is 'The Big Parade' (1925), the World War I epic from King Vidor starring John Gilbert and Renée Adorée. 

I'm accompanying it on Sunday, Nov. 9 at 2 p.m. at the Somerville Theatre, 55 Davis Square, Somerville, Mass.

It's a great film for music. Why? Not to give anything away, but I've found the film is divided into two very different parts, and if the music reflects that, it can amplify the overall impact. 

The first half almost plays like a romantic comedy as it follows the adventures of John Gilbert's character in rural France. I try to reflect that in the music: a "light opera" texture seems to fit just right.

But as soon as Gilbert's unit is called to the front, everything changes. And the music can bring that out, making use of the full orchestra to underscore the dramatic intensity.

If you're in the Greater Boston area this weekend, I encourage you to check out 'The Big Parade.' It's not only a great movie, but also a terrific way to get in the zone for Veterans Day on Tuesday, Nov. 11. 

And if you're not in the Greater Boston area—well, there's still time. It only takes six hours to fly in from the West Coast or Europe. You have plenty of time! 

To whet your appetite, check out the press release below.

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An original release poster for 'The Big Parade' (1925).

MONDAY, OCT. 20, 2025 / FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact Jeff Rapsis • (603) 236-9237 • jeffrapsis@gmail.com

Veterans Day special: 'The Big Parade' with live music on Sunday, Nov. 9 at Somerville Theatre

MGM's highest grossing film until 'Gone With The Wind'; blockbuster drama changed how Hollywood depicted war 

SOMERVILLE, Mass. — It was the 'Saving Private Ryan' of its time — a movie that showed audiences combat as experienced by a soldier whose life is changed forever by the horrors of war.

It was 'The Big Parade' (1925), a sprawling World War I epic and a box office sensation that made MGM into a powerhouse studio in Hollywood's golden years. It's the latest installment of 'Silents, Please!,' a silent film series with live music at the Somerville Theatre.

'The Big Parade' will be screened one time only at the Somerville Theatre on Sunday, Nov. 9 at 2 p.m. General admission is $17; members $13; seniors/students $12.

The show will feature live accompaniment by silent film musician Jeff Rapsis.

'The Big Parade,' released just a few years after World War I ended, was hailed by critics as the first Hollywood film to depict the harsh reality of combat and its impact of troops in the trenches and foxholes. Its hellish battle scenes were staged on a massive scale and still retain their ability to shock audiences.

Hey, get a room!

The picture, based on the best-selling novel "What Price Glory?", follows the story of a young man (John Gilbert) who rebels against a privileged background by enlisting in the army just before the U.S. enters World War I.

He is shipped out to France, where he falls in love with a local French woman before being transferred to the front. There, he and his squadmates face the German war machine, where they must endure the ultimate tests of duty and honor in a battle they come to see as meaningless.

In addition to vivid war scenes, the film contains a famous dramatic sequence in which the French woman (Renée Adorée) realizes her love for the soldier, and tries to find him to say goodbye as the massive convoy of troops pulls out for the front. Another celebrated sequence depicts the light-hearted first meeting of the soldier and the girl, in which he teaches her how to chew gum.

'The Big Parade' went on to become the top-grossing movie of the entire silent film era, earning $6.4 million domestically and making director King Vidor into the Steven Spielberg of his day. It stood as MGM's biggest single box office hit until the release of 'Gone With the Wind' in 1939.

Rapsis will improvise a musical score to the film in real time. In creating accompaniment for the 'The Big Parade' and other vintage classics, Rapsis tries to bridge the gap between silent film and modern audiences.

"Live music adds an element of energy to a silent film screening that's really crucial to the experience," Rapsis said. " 'The Big Parade' is filled with great scenes that lend themselves well to music. It's a real privilege to create a score to help this great picture come back to life," Rapsis said.

MGM's silent blockbuster ‘The Big Parade’ will be shown with live music on Sunday, Nov. 9 at 2 p.m. at Somerville Theatre, 55 Davis Square, Somerville, Mass.

General admission is $17; members $13; seniors/students $12. For more info, call (617) 625-5700 or visit www.somervilletheatreonline.com.