The Kid Brother

There's plenty to love and admire about "The Kid Brother," but perhaps the most impressive aspect is that the film was made in 1927. Over 90 years have passed since its release, and yet the film - a fun, slapstick-heavy romp starring silent legend Harold Lloyd - emits inspired innovation at every turn. From its camera movements to its thrilling set pieces, the film is truly ahead of its time, so it's no wonder that The Criterion Collection has chosen to include the film amongst its March releases. It's a piece of film history, especially the silent era, that should never be forgotten.

Lloyd produces, stars and serves as an uncredited director on "The Kid Brother," which follows Lloyd's hapless character of Harold Hickory, the youngest son of the local sheriff and baby brother to his far more muscular, capable brothers. Belittled and bullied by his family, Harold is often left out of their physical activities and work-related duties. But due to a series of happenstances, Harold becomes far more involved in the town's law and order than he ever would've expected. The results arrive in the form of romance, excitement and invigorating filmmaking, all of which help define "The Kid Brother" as a highlight of Lloyd's eclectic career. He's a name who should never be forgotten amongst Chaplin and Keaton.

Complete with a new orchestral score, written in 1989 by Carl Davis, as well as the alternate archival organ score performed by Gaylord Carter, "The Kid Brother" arrives on Criterion Blu-ray in a new 4K digital restoration that is loaded with additional bonus features. These include:

� Audio commentary from 2005 featuring filmmaker and Harold Lloyd archivist Richard Correll, film historian Annette D'Agostino Lloyd, and Harold Lloyd's granddaughter Suzanne Lloyd
� "Harold's Leading Ladies," a new conversation between author Cari Beauchamp and Suzanne Lloyd
� "Anatomy of a Gag: Monkeyshoes" a new video essay by critic and filmmaker David Cairns
� Behind-the-scenes stills gallery curated by Harold Lloyd archivist Richard Simonton Jr.
� "Close to Home," a new video essay on the film's shooting locations by author John Bengtson
� Dutch television interview with Lloyd from 1962
� Featurette from 2005 about Greenacres, Lloyd's estate, hosted by Suzanne Lloyd
� Two restored rare early Lloyd shorts: "Over the Fence" (1917) and "That's Him" (1918), with new Wurlitzer theater pipe organ scores and a discussion of their early film formats by archivist Dino Everett
� A new tour of the Wurlitzer organ with composer Nathan Barr and organist Mark Herman
� An essay by critic Carrie Rickey

"The Kid Brother"
Blu-ray
$31.96
https://www.criterion.com/films/28499-the-kid-brother