The Kid Brother
Encyclopedia
The Kid Brother is a 1927 American Classic comedy silent film
starring Harold Lloyd
. It was successful and popular upon release and today is considered by critics and fans to be one of Lloyd's best films, integrating elements of comedy, romance, drama, and character development. Its storyline is an homage to a 1921
film called Tol'able David
, although it is essentially a re-make of a little-known 1924 Hal Roach
feature, The White Sheep, starring Glenn Tryon
.
, who starred as leading lady in five of his previous films. She would go on to play a supporting part in Wings
.
Lloyd wanted the film to have more gags than any of his previous features, so around eight writers and gagmen worked on the script. Many of these bits were cut from the finished film, and some were incorporated into Lloyd's subsequent films. The rural setting was a contrast to most of Lloyd's urban films of the mid to late 1920s. It was filmed in then-rural Glendale, Burbank, and Altadena (near current-day Pasadena), and the derelict ship scenes were filmed at Catalina Island.
Lewis Milestone
directed a majority of the film, in an uncredited capacity. He left the production due to contract problems with another studio.
Silent film
A silent film is a film with no synchronized recorded sound, especially with no spoken dialogue. In silent films for entertainment the dialogue is transmitted through muted gestures, pantomime and title cards...
starring Harold Lloyd
Harold Lloyd
Harold Clayton Lloyd, Sr. was an American film actor and producer, most famous for his silent comedies....
. It was successful and popular upon release and today is considered by critics and fans to be one of Lloyd's best films, integrating elements of comedy, romance, drama, and character development. Its storyline is an homage to a 1921
1921 in film
-Top grossing films :-Films released in 1921:U.S.A. unless stated*$10,000 Under a Pillow, silent film directed by Frank Moser*The Ace of Hearts, silent film directed by Wallace Worsley*Across the Divide, silent film directed by John Holloway...
film called Tol'able David
Tol'able David
Tol'able David is a 1921 American silent film based on the Joseph Hergesheimer short story. It was adapted to the screen by Edmund Goulding and directed by Henry King for Inspiration Pictures....
, although it is essentially a re-make of a little-known 1924 Hal Roach
Hal Roach
Harold Eugene "Hal" Roach, Sr. was an American film and television producer and director, and from the 1910s to the 1990s.- Early life and career :Hal Roach was born in Elmira, New York...
feature, The White Sheep, starring Glenn Tryon
Glenn Tryon
Glenn Tryon was an American film actor, screenwriter, director and producer. He appeared in 67 films between 1923 and 1951.He was born in Julietta, Idaho and died in Orlando, Florida.-Selected filmography:...
.
Plot
1877: The most important family in Hickoryville is (naturally enough) the Hickorys, with sheriff Jim and his tough manly sons Leo and Olin. The timid youngest son, Harold, doesn't have the muscles to match up to them, so he has to use his wits to win the respect of his strong father and also the love of beautiful Mary.Cast
- Harold LloydHarold LloydHarold Clayton Lloyd, Sr. was an American film actor and producer, most famous for his silent comedies....
as Harold Hickory - Jobyna RalstonJobyna RalstonJobyna Ralston was an American stage and film actress.-Early life and career:Born Jobyna Lancaster Raulston in South Pittsburg, Tennessee in 1899 to parents who named her after famed entertainer of the time, Jobyna Howland...
as Mary Powers - Walter James as Jim Hickory
- Leo WillisLeo WillisLeo Willis was an American actor in films from the silent days. He played mainly tough guys and comic villains, notably opposite Harold Lloyd, Charley Chase and Laurel and Hardy at the Hal Roach Studios.-Selected filmography:...
as Leo Hickory - Olin Francis as Olin Hickory
- Constantine Romanoff as Sandoni
- Eddie BolandEddie BolandEddie Boland was an American film actor. He appeared in 112 films between 1912 and 1937.He was born in San Francisco, California and died in Santa Monica, California from a heart attack.-Selected filmography:...
as "Flash" Farrell - Frank LanningFrank LanningFrank Lanning was an American actor of the silent era. He appeared in 84 films between 1910 and 1934.He was born in Marion, Iowa and died in Los Angeles, California.-Selected filmography:...
as Sam Hooper - Ralph YearsleyRalph YearsleyRalph Yearsley was a British-born character actor who worked in Hollywood films.Born in London, England, he was trained in a medical school, but left to go to the United States to pursue a career in the film industry...
as Hank Hooper
Production
This was the last of Lloyd's features to star Jobyna RalstonJobyna Ralston
Jobyna Ralston was an American stage and film actress.-Early life and career:Born Jobyna Lancaster Raulston in South Pittsburg, Tennessee in 1899 to parents who named her after famed entertainer of the time, Jobyna Howland...
, who starred as leading lady in five of his previous films. She would go on to play a supporting part in Wings
Wings (film)
Wings is a silent film about World War I fighter pilots, produced by Lucien Hubbard, directed by William A. Wellman and released by Paramount Pictures. Wings was the first film, and the only silent film, to win the Academy Award for Best Picture. Wings stars Clara Bow, Charles "Buddy" Rogers, and...
.
Lloyd wanted the film to have more gags than any of his previous features, so around eight writers and gagmen worked on the script. Many of these bits were cut from the finished film, and some were incorporated into Lloyd's subsequent films. The rural setting was a contrast to most of Lloyd's urban films of the mid to late 1920s. It was filmed in then-rural Glendale, Burbank, and Altadena (near current-day Pasadena), and the derelict ship scenes were filmed at Catalina Island.
Lewis Milestone
Lewis Milestone
Lewis Milestone was a Russian-American motion picture director. He is known for directing Two Arabian Knights and All Quiet on the Western Front , both of which received Academy Awards for Best Director...
directed a majority of the film, in an uncredited capacity. He left the production due to contract problems with another studio.
Restoration
- A restored version of The Kid Brother with a new score by Carl DavisCarl DavisCarl Davis CBE is an American born conductor and composer who has made his home in the UK since 1961. In 1970 he married the English actress Jean Boht....
was prepared by Kevin BrownlowKevin BrownlowKevin Brownlow is a filmmaker, film historian, television documentary-maker, author, and Academy Award recipient. Brownlow is best known for his work documenting the history of the silent era. Brownlow became interested in silent film at the age of eleven. This interest grew into a career spent...
and David GillDavid Gill (film historian)David Ian Gill was born in Papua New Guinea, the son of Cecil Gill, a missionary doctor. His uncle was the sculptor Eric Gill. The family returned to England in 1933 where Gill attended the Belmont Abbey School, Hereford...
in the early 1990s. It is now available on DVD.