This just in a few minutes ago. What I had been hoping for! Posted by Kyle on the TCM boards. "The World Premiere of the recently restored King Vidor's *The Big Parade* will take place at the 2013 TCM Classic Film Festival in Hollywood this coming April. It will feature a pre-recorded original score composed by Carl Davis."
I've known about the pending Blu-ray and DVD for about a month now. At present THE BIG PARADE seems to be slated for a 4rth quarter release, so It probably won't be out until at least next November. Rather or not TCM airs it before then I don't know? The will likely save it until Veterans Day. I'm really gratified that they chose it for the Classic Film Festival though. Hope they have a sell out. It's a film that needs to be seen and its reputation as one of the great Masterworks of the Silent Era reestablished. In recent years the pictures standing has suffered. My main concern is that the Carl Davis score won't be in proper synch with the new print, since it was recorded originally in 1983. THE BIG PARADE was fully restored in 35 millimeter between 2002 and 2004. Completed in Mid 2004. That version has been screened a handful of times at live events. The actual West Cost Premiere was at AMPAS in March of 2005. I think this will probably be a digital screeening. I don't believe that any additional work has been done, other than to transfer it to a digital medium. Finally replacing the 1983 Thames Silents version that TCM has been saddled with since the early 90's.
The 2004 Fine-Grain master made from the long believed lost original camera negative found at Eastman House in 1997 never made it to TCM. Chuck Tabesh said that they helped to fund the new transfer. One regret is that Kevin Brownlow's Photoplay Productions is not involved in this project. After all Kevin did to keep this picture in the public memory during the early 80's. And he himself stumbling upon the Camera Negatives at George Eastman House while lecturing there. Just doesn't seem fair. Worse the same thing is happening with NAPOLEON! I kid you not! A French archive is restoring NAPOLEON with intent to distribute and it has nothing whatsoever to do with Kevin Brownlow. It's an independent venture on their part.
I two am somewhat concerned that not everyone's efforts will be acknowledged after the gap of around a decade. But surely Chuck Tabesh is aware of the work that was done at that time, and even saw the film screened as he told me. Hopefully, it will all be sorted out and all parties will receive their just do. Yourself included. And not to forget Kevin Brownlow who found the Camera Negatives at Eastman House in 1997 Thank you very for the most informative post.