STRAND

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 555, 7 January 1929, Page 12

STRAND

LAST DAYS OF “SPEEDY” Harold Lloyd’s great picture, “Speedy," which has distributed so much laughter and happiness at the Strand Theatre during the last few weeks, will continue to be screened only until Thursday next. “Speedy” is the nickname of Harold Lloyd himself, who is a New Y r ork lad, notable for the ease with Avhich he loses every job. Part of Lloyd’s job is to run counter to all the recognised speed and traffic laws of the city, and to outwit the transport magnates. He does both things in his brightest style. To watch the progress of his motorcar through crowded streets is a new experience, but mild in comparison with a desperate drive to preserve the interests of a bus concern. Around this the plot is wound. To stonewall a traffic merger the bus must run once every 24 hours. A wild and willing braAvl takes place in the streets, folloAving which the bus disappears. In the sequel, time is the essence of the contract; and Lloyd exploits his opportunities with a master hand. One imagines the task he set the photographers must have been trying, and it is not his way to do a part by halves, or to accept defeat at the wheel of a motor-car. He gets the last kick from his petrol tank, and drives his horses like a chariot racer. Although “Speedy" is a lengthy comedy, an excellent supporting programme is also presented, including a cartoon and gazette. Most enjoyable music is provided by Eve Bentley’s Symphony Orchestra.

ROUND SHOWS fill ups —no heads.. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer officials announce that hereafter their contracts will not prohibit motion picture stars from riding in airplanes. Before the perfection of passenger planes and the establishment of recognised air routes, motion picture companies attempted to protect their rights to the services of stars by the precautionary clauses in contracts insuring the safety of players, among which was a clause prohibiting the use of airplanes for transportation.