Copyright 18 January 1927 by The Harold Lloyd Corporation (general manager: William R. Fraser). Released through Paramount: 22 January 1927. New York opening at the Rialto: 23 January 1927. 7,654 feet. 83 minutes.
NOTES: Locations filmed on Catalina Island and near Alacentia, California.
SYNOPSIS: Unusually for a Lloyd movie, there is only one sarcastic sub-title. Significantly, it's the card that introduces the title character himself: The runt of the litter, this kid brother was delivered by a stork that was laughing so heartily it could hardly fly.
COMMENT: One of the best films ever made, The Kid Brother is a wonderful movie that has everything: beautiful direction, inventive photography, an engrossing plot, superb acting and out-of-the-box production values. (And thanks to Carl Davis, it now has a heart-tapping music score as well). To quote from a few of the many enlightened contemporary reviews. The critic for The New York Herald Tribune made the sage comment that "Mr Lloyd never repeats himself. This movie is filled with more things than are dreamt of in your philosophy..." Variety noted that "Lloyd is somewhat different in this picture, yet it is about as gaggy a gag picture as he has ever done. Jobyna Ralston also handles herself perfectly, while Walter James has a chance to show what he can do in a major part and acquits himself with honors." The Film Daily agreed that "the Lloyd comedies are always dependably original. Lloyd and his gag-men have again devised a corking set of comedy situations that fit consistently into a well-joined plot with the result that the laughs keep building from little chuckles to hilarious roars." What I like about this enchanting movie is that it's not only uproariously funny, but supremely beautiful to watch. Like all really good films, it's one that can be enjoyed, savored and appreciated time and time again with absolutely no lessening of its total enthrallment. When asked to name his best film, Lloyd once replied, "That's something for the critics. But my favorite film? The Kid Brother."
AVAILABLE on DVD through New Line. Quality rating: Ten out of ten.
NOTES: Locations filmed on Catalina Island and near Alacentia, California.
SYNOPSIS: Unusually for a Lloyd movie, there is only one sarcastic sub-title. Significantly, it's the card that introduces the title character himself: The runt of the litter, this kid brother was delivered by a stork that was laughing so heartily it could hardly fly.
COMMENT: One of the best films ever made, The Kid Brother is a wonderful movie that has everything: beautiful direction, inventive photography, an engrossing plot, superb acting and out-of-the-box production values. (And thanks to Carl Davis, it now has a heart-tapping music score as well). To quote from a few of the many enlightened contemporary reviews. The critic for The New York Herald Tribune made the sage comment that "Mr Lloyd never repeats himself. This movie is filled with more things than are dreamt of in your philosophy..." Variety noted that "Lloyd is somewhat different in this picture, yet it is about as gaggy a gag picture as he has ever done. Jobyna Ralston also handles herself perfectly, while Walter James has a chance to show what he can do in a major part and acquits himself with honors." The Film Daily agreed that "the Lloyd comedies are always dependably original. Lloyd and his gag-men have again devised a corking set of comedy situations that fit consistently into a well-joined plot with the result that the laughs keep building from little chuckles to hilarious roars." What I like about this enchanting movie is that it's not only uproariously funny, but supremely beautiful to watch. Like all really good films, it's one that can be enjoyed, savored and appreciated time and time again with absolutely no lessening of its total enthrallment. When asked to name his best film, Lloyd once replied, "That's something for the critics. But my favorite film? The Kid Brother."
AVAILABLE on DVD through New Line. Quality rating: Ten out of ten.