“The Kid Brother” (1927) starring Harold Lloyd / Z-View

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The Kid Brother (1927)

Director: Ted Wilde, J.A. Howe, Harold Lloyd (uncredited), Lewis Milestone (uncredited)

Screenplay:  Howard J. Green

Stars:  Harold Lloyd, Jobyna Ralston.

Tagline: THAR’S LAFF IN THEM THAR REELS! A Gold Mine of mirth…HAROLD LLOYD AS “THE KID BROTHER”

The Plot…

Jim Hickory is the respected Sheriff of Hickoryville, the town named after his family.  Big Jim has three sons.  Leo and Olin are huge, strong barrel chested men like their father.  The youngest son, Harold, has none of their qualities.  Although they love Harold, he doesn’t get the same respect.

The residents of Hickoryville have finally raised enough money to get the state to build a much needed dam.  Big Jim is entrusted to hold the cash until a state representative arrives to collect it.

A traveling show comes to town.  Harold is attracted to Mary, the daughter of the show’s recently deceased owner.  Since her father’s death Mary is influenced by a couple of con men.  Big Jim knows the con men mean trouble.  Harold gets the chance to prove his manhood by shutting down the show.

Things go from bad to worse when the money Big Jim was holding turns up missing.  Big Jim is taken into custody.  There’s talk of lynching Jim if the money doesn’t appear and fast.

It will be up to Harold to save the day… and his father.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

The Kid Brother was Harold Lloyd’s favorite of all his films.

Lewis Milestone was the original director.  He left after directing a few scenes because of contract issues with Warner Bros.  Ted Wilde to over.  Wilde became ill and was unable to continue.  J.A. Howe picked up the reins with Harold Lloyd assisting to finish the film.  Lloyd helped direct most of his films, but never accepted credit.

If you look closely, you’ll see the list of “Subscribers to County Dam” are actual names of supporting cast members.

The Kid Brother is one of Harold Lloyd’s best silent films but doesn’t get the same respect as Safety Last or The Freshman.  It should.

The Kid Brother (1927) rates 5 of 5 stars.