Laughter Film

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 532, 8 December 1928, Page 23

Laughter Film

HAROLD LLOYD’S LATEST

“Speedy” Booked for the Strand

IX common with the leading motion picture comedians of the present day, Harold Lloyd is making fewer and better films. His latest is “Speedy,” a big production tobe screened at the Strand. This new laughter feature is a worthy successor to “Safety Last” and the other popular, full-length Lloyd comedies of the past.

Since his first appearance in pictures Harold Lloyd has never departed from his rule of offering clean, fresh fun to his host of admirers.

“Speedy is no exception to the rule. It is certainly one of his best productions to date; in fact, many will hold the opinion that nothing he has done in the past cjn equal it. From beginning to end it is a riot of laughter. Novelty is the outstanding feature of every situation. Lloyd uses no old gags and even those of the stereotyped sort are worked up in a new and refreshing way, invariably securing a hearty laugh. As usual, the comedian appears in

the role of a dreamy youth, bewildered by the rush and noise of a big city. He is called “Speedy” because of his’ aptitude for slipping in and out of jobs. Baseball is his weakness, and his habit of-stopping to study scores and reports brings about his repeated downfalls. Finally he secures a position as driver for the “Only One” Taxi Company. By chance he overhears a plot to rob the father of the girl he loves, and succeeds in turning the tables on the plotters after a series of wild and hilarious adventures in which the taxi figures prominently. It is said that IS months were spent in preparing the picture, and Lloyd, who works at his own studio, and is surrounded by a family group of coartists, introduces to the screen his newest leading lady, Ann Christie. She follows Bebe Daniels, Mildred Davis and Jobyna Ralston. “Speedy” is released by Paramount, and is considered by that corporation to be one of the best comedies put “on the road.”