37. The Kid Brother (1927)

Directed by Ted Wilde and J. A. Howe


Synopsis

Geeky kid brother falls in love with pretty girl who is with Medicine Show. Father of said geek has raised enough money to build a dam. Money gets stolen by other members of Medicine Show. Geek saves the day by recovering money and gets the girl in the process.

Review

Ok, this is a pretty good film. Harold Lloyd is considered the third great of silent comedies, after Chaplin and Keaton. He is definitely not as good as Keaton but there is a case when comparing him to Chaplin. I actually prefer Lloyd.

In terms of comedy, Lloyd is actually more similar to Keaton in terms of physical gags and endangering himself for our pleasure. His gags are not as elaborate, however, and he does not retain the stone-face of Keaton. Still he is pretty good.

If there is one thing I can say about Lloyd is that the film was not just about the comedy, it did in fact have quite a well paced plot and there is not a moment of boredom in it. Still, it doesn't leave you flabbergasted like Keaton. These might be unfair comparisons after all, and taken by himself Harold Lloyd is quite an entertaining performer.

So I advise you to watch this film, but if you miss it the world will not end. Buy it at Amazon UK or US.

Final Grade

7/10

Trivia

From Wikipedia:

* Lloyd wanted the film to have more gags than any of his previous features, so around eight writers and gagmen worked on the script. In later years, Lloyd said that this was his personal favourite of his own films.
* This was the last of Lloyd's features to star Jobyna Ralston, who starred as leading lady in five of his previous films. She would go on to play a supporting part in Wings.
* 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 and Altadena (near current-day Long Beach), 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.
* Lloyd made his final major public appearance in 1970 at a benefit screening of The Kid Brother in London.