The Big Parade

Metro - Goldwyn - Mayer gratefully acknowledges the splendid co-operation of the Second Division, United States Army and Air Service Units, Kelly Field.

In the Spring of 1917, America was a nation occupied in peaceful progression. Mills were humming with activity -

Buildings climbed skyward, monuments to commerce and profession.

Here "Slim" Jensen worked..... just one of labor's millions, building a nation.

Along The Bowery were men of another trade. Among them was "Bull" O'Hara.

On life's other side were rich men, chiefs of industry... and rich men's sons - such as Jim Apperson.

"Are you for sure goin' to take a job in your father's mill?"

"Me... work? I should say not!"

"What's all that tootin' about?"

"For the love of Mike! They're making enough noise to wake up the whole country!"

In such an hour, most mothers are alike...and Jim's mother was no exception.

WAR DECLARED! TREMENDOUS RUSH FOR ENLISTMENT Washington, D. C. (Amalgamated Press Wire) President Wilson, after meeting this morning with Congress and the Cabinet

"I have enough war on my hands...with Dad."

As long as Jim could remember he had been in love with Justyn Reed.

"Aren't you thrilled that we're going to war?"

"You'll look gorgeous in an officer's uniform! I'll love you more than ever then."

What a thing is patriotism! We go for years not knowing we have it. Suddenly - Martial music! ....Native flags!....Friends cheer!....and it becomes life's greatest emotion!

"Come on! The whole gang's going over!"

WE'LL KNOCK THE L OUT OF BERLIN BERLIN OR BUST

KEEP THE HOME FIRES BURNING OVER THE TOP

Evening --

"It's come, Mother! Now we must all pitch in and do our bit!"

"Harry has already organized double shifts at the mill.... and he's going to work nights!"

"Look here, young man! I've stood all the nonsense and idleness from you that I'm going to stand!"

"We're in the fight now... and it's time for every man to jump in and get busy!"

"Look at your brother! See how he's putting his shoulder to the wheel!"

"The country's at war! There's no room in my house for idlers! You'll do something or.... get out!"

"Is that all?"

"Do you mind if I stay here tonight?"

"Is it all right with you?"

"Aren't you all proud of him?"

"Hasn't he told you?"

"Jim has enlisted!"

From avenue and alley they came.... ROOKIES.

"You're in the army now, You're not behind a plow; You'll never get rich, You son-of-a-gun, You're in the army now!"

"Pipe down!"

And so the "laughing American" boys, a song on their lips, marched into France.

One nightfall, after a march of twenty miles, they arrived in Champillon.... weary and ready for sleep.

"Orders for billeting!"

"Corporal! Have your men police this yard before they hit the hay!"

"Hey, you Bozoes! No sleep for you babies until you dress this manure pile!"

"Come on! Take the anchors off them shovels!"

"No use to raise a row; Shovel and chuck The goo and the muck, You're in the army now!"

"Say, I joined this army to fight.... not shovel!"

"You'll shovel and like it, dearie!"

"Now, you big stiff - SHOVEL!"

"Aw, nuts!"

"What do you birds think this is... a May party? Come on! Show me some speed!"

Dog-tired.

I wish you could be here but the thought that you will soon be leading your men into battle, fills me with pride. I suppose the fragrance of beautiful flowers fills the air of your picturesque surroundings.

I baked the cake for you my self. Forever, Justyn

"It's to eat...ain't it?"

"This ain't such a bad war."

March and sweat the whole damned day; Sleep at night in lousy hay; Turn out mornin's full o'dirt, And scrub the real estate off your shirt! That's....the....life....in.... the....arm-ee!

"We're in the army now, And we have all learned how To wash our shirty And still have it dirty, We're in the army now!"

"We rub our socks Till we wear out the rocks, We're in the army now!"

"We drown the fleas In our Bee Vee Dees, We're in the army now!"

"Hey, Slim! If I had a barrel I could make a shower bath."

"If I had a bow-and- arrow I could shoot a bear!"

"It's a great idea...but who's goin' to get the barrel?"

I am it

I am it

After an hour of his best sign language, convincing the wine-shop keeper that he wanted a barrel, and not a fat girl, Jim started on his way back.

"I AM it!"

"C'est vous qui m'a fait rire, n'est ce pas?"

"I don't understand a word you say...but I know what you mean."

"Voo...and...me...vooley voo....take....little.... petite....walk?"

"French is Greek to me."

"He...froggie! You... froggie!"

"Parley voo Francay... Chevrolet Coupe?"

"You big stiff! You don't handle girls the way you handle rivets!"

That evening Jim detailed himself to some more "skirt duty".

"Me...you...tres... much....love."

"Gee...aimy...vowse... boo....coop!"

"Je suis très contente."

"I...am...verree... happee!"

"Reviens à huit heures."

"Eight o'clock...me... returny."

"Come on, Bon Ami... slip Poppa a little kiss!"

"Your hat, Mister Hemingway ...I'm sorry I misplaced your cane."

"I got to hand it to you! You're certainly makin' this war a social success!"

Once a week, at Melisande's home, there was a patriotic gathering to read letters from loved ones at the front.

"Must he do that?"

"There's wine in that cellar, pardner! We can't leave Jim to tackle it all alone, can we?"

"Can you figure any guy settin' in his parlor....when he's got a cellar like this?"

"Can you imagine! Some guys was saps enough to join the navy!"

"Oh-h-h! You dirty M.P's!!"

"So you're the birds who go around swiping wine?"

"We got Jim in this trouble....now we gotta get him out, ain't we?"

"Get in it, gang! This ain't a private fight!"

"We weren't stealn' wine, sir. We were just doin' our duty."

"AH! Monsewer Demi Tasse!"

Eat your chow from tin mess-kits; Pick your teeth with bay-o-nits; Shine your shoes on hunks of pork; And the barber shaves you with a knife and fork! That's...the...life...in...the... arm-ee!

"Corporal Michael Olysíus O'Hara!"

"As soon as I've read my mail I'll have your chevrons removed."

"I'd like to see the little cootie try to break me!"