Released in 1930, “Brother for Sale” is a two-reel silent film short produced by Stern Brothers Comedy and Universal Pictures as part of the “Newlyweds and Their Baby” series. The short stars Lawrence McKeen Jr. as resentful older brother Sunny, who tries to rid himself of baby brother Frisbie before realizing that his apparent sibling affection buys goodwill with his mother. Hijinx ensue along the way, with Sunny’s plot also threatening to break up an engagement. McKeen was featured in 39 “Newlyweds and Their Baby” shorts, first as Baby Snookums and then as Sunny Jim. The role reportedly turned him into a child star. (He even had a candy bar named after him.) McKeen went on to make six sound shorts before his untimely death in 1933 due to blood poisoning. He was eight years old. This film was digitized by the Library of Congress as part of the Silent Film Project.

TFC 1930s 1930’s silent film short film movie short Universal Universal Pictures Stern Brothers Comedy Newlyweds and Their Baby

The Newlyweds Brother for Sale Jo Van Ronkel Van Ronkel, Jo director directed by Lawrence David McKeen Jr. Lawrence David McKeen McKeen, Lawrence David Lawrence McKeen

McKeen, Lawrence Lawrence McKeen Jr. Lawrence “Sunny” McKeen Sunny McKeen McKeen, Sunny Sunny Jim family children comedy vaudeville

actor actress camera cast cinema comedic edit edited film filming

funny humor humorous movie production reel scene series set show

star starring parade intertitles nitrate film