stallings' novel, the autobiographical "plumes", was published in 1924 and was a huge success, with nine printings in that year alone. it was adapted into king vidor's "the big parade", which was quite successful and remained mgm's largest-grossing film until "gone with the wind" in 1939. he was regarded as a key influence on three of john ford's greatest films, serving as writer or co-writer for "3 godfathers", "she wore a yellow ribbon", and "the sun shines bright". additional screenwriting credits included "northwest passage", "the man from dakota", and "on our merry way".