Watch The Kid Brother For Free

Strong and Moving!

Redundant and unnecessary.

Absolutely Brilliant!

A movie that not only functions as a solid scarefest but a razor-sharp satire.

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.

Although there is a lot to like in Harold Lloyd's The Kid Brother, perhaps the most understated and least applauded aspect is the chemistry and intermixing shenanigans that results from Jobyna Ralston's character showing up on the scene. Both Lloyd and Ralston had shared the screen before in previous antics, but their interlocking here is as sweet and endearing as can be. It would be their last date on screen before Jobyna would retire a couple of movies into the "talkie" era because of an unfortunate lisp, but if anything, it's a fitting and memorable farewell. Aside from the romance, The Kid Brother also has more than a handful of laughs up its sleeves and while I'm not a big fan of the movie's switch to elaborate stunts in the third act, the majority of the film showcases a somewhat restrained and down to earth tone that is both laugh-out-loud funny and charming at the same time.

You can't go wrong with self-confidence. This was Harold Lloyd's recipe for life, and the same holds true with the characters he plays. The best example of this is Harold Hickory in "The Kid Brother."Harold is the youngest of three sons in the all-male Hickory clan who keep order in the town of Hickoryville. Harold desperately wants the approval of his father and brothers, but can't quite manage it. A new reason to shine comes in the form of beautiful dancer Mary (Jobyna Ralston), who rides into town with a medicine show. When Mary's partners steal the town treasury, it's up to Harold to save the day."The Kid Brother" isn't as iconic as "The Freshman" or "Safety Last," but it's right up there with the first and a good deal better than the other when it comes to showcasing the full range of Lloyd's cinematic talents. There are stunts and thrills and a big scary finish to keep an audience gasping between laughs, but the true beauty of the film is how well it sets up the sentimental side of Harold, which is where movie clowns often fall short.Right away, we are told Harold is a bit of a town joke, born on April 1: "The stork that brought him could hardly fly for laughing." When we first see him, watching his father and brothers easily lift a great trunk, Lloyd's face reflects pride and chagrin. He can't measure up, his eyes tell us."You're too modest, but I like you for it." That's Mary talking to Harold, but it could as well be us for the way we are introduced to him. There are many laughs in this film, but what makes "The Kid Brother" stand up so well 90 years later is the craft of the production.Even if he didn't take a director's credit, giving it instead to his ailing collaborator Ted Wilde and journeyman J. A. Howe, Lloyd's touch is both unmistakable and deft. An opening scene of a derelict boat on a sun-burnished bay not only introduces the dreamy, pastoral quality of the entire film, but sets the scene for where it all comes to an end, desperately and triumphantly, in 90 minutes.That final battle in the "Black Ghost" is a masterpiece of pure cinema, and so is a scene of Harold waving goodbye to Mary by climbing a tree that never seems to stop rising - without the camera ever losing Mary in the ever-deepening background. Likewise, Harold gets maximum use from the intense physiognomy of co-star Constantine Romanoff, who plays the heavy Sandoni, but could just as easily be Nosferatu for the way he is shot. He presents a horrific adversary, yet he's not only overcome but literally becomes a vehicle for Harold's final triumph."The Kid Brother" doesn't have the greatest gags of silent cinema. Harold's rivalry with an annoying neighbor who tries to steal Mary away is more trope than plot point. The crisis of the stolen money is kind of introduced out of left field. But craft and charm count for a lot in comedy, and so does timing, all of which this movie gives you. I never laughed once when I watched the scene where Harold's two brothers are caught out in their nightshirts by a sudden visit from Mary, but I never stopped smiling. It's not just some good gags, but the way the camera moves from room to room, and the way light and shade are used to suggest lurking menace, just before the tables are turned yet again and Harold escapes fraternal punishment.You watch other Harold Lloyd films and get blown away by the skill, the comedic chops, and the acrobatic daring he brought to the screen. "The Kid Brother" has a quieter, subtler power that only builds with repeat viewings. If it's not quite a masterpiece, it shows how a great screen comedy can be made.

*SPOILER* This delightful silent comedy with Harold as the kid brother in an all-male family is both moving and entertaining and what is more, very funny!Unlike his two brothers the fragile Harold is not the 'chip off the old block' and therefore regarded as a wimp by his family, the "Hickorys". But he turns out to be very shrewd and smarter than his whole family. In a stunning and breath-taking finale he prevails over a tough con-man and finally is able to make himself respected for his father (Jim, the sheriff). From what I can tell this is Lloyd's all-time best hence his ambitious "glassed character" has fully developed and is absolutely convincing. In contrast to his former "Lonesome Luke"- a rather rough and harddriving character the new bespectacled Harold, now being a believable human being, is charming and extremely hilarious. You cannot refrain yourself from laughing out loud when Harold disguises himself as his father to kid his narrow-minded brothers. Although the feature includes many individually hilarious scenes Lloyd artfully interwoves a thread of pathos, as well. Amazingly romantic scenes are always combined with great gags: Harold falls in love with bitter-sweet Jobyna Ralston (and you probably will, too because that beautiful girl has zing!)and climbs a tree towards the top in order to watch his beloved disappearing. Being lost in thought Harold who is enchanted by the girl's grace finally falls off the tree. Describing sight gags is a lost art hence you are not capable of pointing out the extent of wit and creativity of a certain idea- therefore I better throw in the towel and you should start watching Lloyd's top-notch gags. While one is touched by Harold's romantic love story the real treat is watching the potent and stunning finale which never takes a breath. Incredibly Lloyd is able to provide countless belly-laugh scenes as well as impressing the audience with genuine and deeply moving sentiment. His feature has just about everything one could ask for in a comedy: It is funny, exciting and even romantic. The astonishing carrer of Lloyd represents Hollywood's ideal. He developed a craft and- in my opinion- perfected the art of silent comedies. "Comedy can be manufactured, as television has proved but great comic personalities cannot"- Leonard Maltin. Lloyd's film is unique because Lloyd is unique. Sympathetic that I am to movie buffs who adore comedies of the fifties, sixties, etc. I nevertheless cannot help feeling that early silent comedies are the richest comedies in the cinema's history- worse still they have become mediums of a neglected art. Regarding "The Kid Brother" it is safe to say that this masterpiece with its brightest moments shines like a comic perfection that will glow forever. Let us keep alive his films for generations to come hence he deserves being honored.