What Price Glory

Plot

U.S. Marine sergeants Quirt and Flagg are inveterate romantic rivals whose competitive antics span peacetime assignments in China and the Philippines. When World War I erupts in 1917, the two men are deployed to France, where Flagg has been promoted to captain and quickly becomes involved with Charmaine, the flirtatious daughter of a local innkeeper. Their rivalry reignites when Quirt arrives at the same post and immediately sets his sights on Charmaine, leading to a series of comic confrontations and schemes to outdo each other. As the harsh realities of war intrude upon their romantic competition, both men must confront their mortality and the possibility of a shotgun marriage to Charmaine, forcing them to find common cause in the face of battlefield dangers and personal responsibilities.

Historical Background

Released in 1926, 'What Price Glory' emerged during a pivotal period in American cinema and society. The film was produced less than a decade after World War I, when memories of the conflict were still fresh in the American consciousness. This timing allowed the film to resonate deeply with audiences who had either experienced the war personally or lost loved ones to it. The mid-1920s represented the height of the silent film era, just before the transition to sound would revolutionize the industry. Hollywood was experimenting with longer, more ambitious productions, and 'What Price Glory' was part of this trend toward bigger-budget, more sophisticated films. The movie also reflected the Roaring Twenties' complex attitude toward war - a mixture of nostalgia, trauma, and romanticization. Its success demonstrated that audiences were ready for films that could balance serious themes with entertainment, paving the way for more complex war narratives in cinema.

Making Of

The production of 'What Price Glory' was a massive undertaking for Fox Film Corporation, representing one of their most ambitious projects of 1926. Director Raoul Walsh, drawing from his own experiences as a soldier in the Pancho Villa Expedition, insisted on authenticity in every aspect of the military portrayal. The casting of Victor McLaglen as Flagg and Edmund Lowe as Quirt created instant chemistry, as both actors had military backgrounds and understood the competitive camaraderie central to the story. Dolores del Río, though relatively new to Hollywood, impressed Walsh with her natural screen presence and ability to convey emotion without dialogue. The battle sequences required weeks of preparation, with Walsh employing innovative camera techniques including early uses of crane shots to capture the scale of the combat. The film's success was largely attributed to Walsh's ability to balance the comedic elements with the serious war themes, creating a template that would influence war comedies for decades. The production also benefited from the technical expertise of cinematographer Barney McGill, who developed new methods for filming action sequences in natural light.

Visual Style

The cinematography of 'What Price Glory' was groundbreaking for its time, employing innovative techniques that enhanced both the intimate character moments and epic battle sequences. Barney McGill's camera work utilized moving shots that were relatively rare in silent films, creating a sense of dynamism and immediacy particularly in the combat scenes. The film made extensive use of natural lighting, especially in the outdoor sequences, which gave the battle scenes a gritty, documentary-like quality that audiences found compelling. McGill employed deep focus techniques that allowed both foreground and background action to remain sharp, creating a sense of spatial depth that enhanced the scale of the war sequences. The cinematography also made effective use of close-ups to capture the emotional nuances of the performances, particularly in the romantic scenes between the characters and the moments of battlefield reflection. The visual style balanced the romanticized beauty of the French countryside with the brutal reality of trench warfare, creating a visual dichotomy that mirrored the film's thematic concerns. The camera movement during action sequences was particularly innovative, with McGill employing techniques that would later become standard in war film cinematography.

Innovations

'What Price Glory' featured several technical innovations that advanced the art of filmmaking in the silent era. The battle sequences employed some of the most sophisticated miniature work of the time, combining scale models with full-size sets to create convincing depictions of warfare. The film's use of multiple cameras for action scenes was relatively innovative, allowing Walsh to capture complex battle choreography from various angles and edit them together for maximum impact. The production developed new techniques for simulating explosions and gunfire that were both realistic and safe for the actors and crew. The film's editing, particularly in the action sequences, was ahead of its time, employing rapid cuts and cross-cutting between different aspects of the battle that created tension and excitement. The makeup and prosthetics used for depicting war injuries were particularly advanced for the period, contributing to the film's realistic portrayal of combat. The production also pioneered techniques for filming in difficult weather conditions, using specially designed camera housing to protect equipment during outdoor battle sequences. These technical achievements not only enhanced the film's quality but also influenced subsequent war films, establishing new standards for realistic combat depiction in cinema.

Music

As a silent film, 'What Price Glory' originally relied on musical accompaniment provided by theater orchestras or organists, with cue sheets provided by Fox Film Corporation to guide the musical selection. The score was designed to enhance the emotional impact of key scenes, with martial themes for the battle sequences, romantic melodies for the Charmaine scenes, and comedic motifs for the rivalry between Quirt and Flagg. When the film was re-released in 1929 to compete with talkies, it was given a synchronized musical score and sound effects by Fox Movietone, making it one of the early examples of a silent film being retrofitted with sound. This version included original compositions by Ernö Rapée, Fox's music director, who created a full orchestral score that followed the dramatic arc of the film. The sound effects included realistic battle noises, marching feet, and ambient sounds that enhanced the wartime atmosphere. The musical themes for the main characters were particularly memorable, with Quirt and Flagg each having distinctive leitmotifs that evolved throughout the film to reflect their character development. The soundtrack's success demonstrated how music could elevate silent storytelling, influencing the approach to scoring in early sound films.

Memorable Scenes

• The opening sequence in China where Quirt and Flagg compete for the attention of a local woman, establishing their rivalry through a series of increasingly elaborate pranks and one-upmanship.
• The battle scene in France where both men must work together to save their unit, showing their underlying friendship beneath the competitive surface.
• The scene at the French inn where Charmaine first appears, captivating both soldiers and setting up the romantic triangle that drives much of the plot.
• The comedic sequence where Quirt attempts to woo Charmaine using increasingly ridiculous methods, only to be thwarted by Flagg's interference.
• The final confrontation where both men face the possibility of a shotgun marriage, forcing them to confront their feelings and priorities.

What Critics Said

Contemporary critics praised 'What Price Glory' as a groundbreaking achievement in cinema, with particular acclaim for its balance of comedy and drama. The New York Times hailed it as 'a masterpiece of the silent screen' that 'captures both the horror of war and the indomitable spirit of the men who fight it.' Critics especially lauded the performances of McLaglen and Lowe, noting their natural chemistry and authentic portrayal of military men. The film's technical aspects, particularly its battle sequences, were considered revolutionary for their time. Modern critics continue to regard the film highly, with many considering it one of Raoul Walsh's finest works and a landmark of silent cinema. The movie is frequently cited in film studies as an early example of the buddy film genre and as an important war film that avoided simplistic patriotism. Critics have also noted how the film's treatment of romance and rivalry between soldiers influenced countless later films. The preservation of the film has allowed contemporary critics to appreciate its visual sophistication and narrative complexity, with many expressing surprise at how well it holds up nearly a century after its release.

What Audiences Thought

Audiences in 1926 embraced 'What Price Glory' with tremendous enthusiasm, making it one of the biggest box office hits of the year. The film's combination of humor, romance, and action appealed to a broad demographic, from war veterans to young couples on dates. Movie theaters reported packed houses for weeks, with many venues requiring additional showtimes to meet demand. The chemistry between McLaglen and Lowe became a major talking point among filmgoers, with audiences particularly enjoying their competitive antics and witty exchanges (conveyed through title cards). Dolores del Río's performance as Charmaine made her an instant star, with many audience members writing fan letters to the studio praising her beauty and screen presence. The film's success led to increased attendance at subsequent war films and buddy comedies, as audiences sought more movies with similar appeal. Even after the transition to sound, the film retained its popularity through re-releases with synchronized scores, demonstrating its enduring appeal across different technological eras.

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