TREASURE TROVE

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 696, 22 June 1929, Page 15

TREASURE TROVE

THE SOUTH SEA BUBBLE SEARCH FOR PIRATES’ GOLD A tropic island set ‘in a southern sea, the treasure trove of a pirate bold, and a happy young band of adventurers. There you have the story of "A South Sea Bubble," which was screened to a capacity house at the Majestic last evening. Roger Winslowe, who sailed the Spanish Main with very satisfactory results, hid his treasure on a lonely island, after the manner of his kind, and bequeathed to his heirs and successors a plan of the locality. Unfortunately, the exact spot was not marked with a cross, or in this instance with a skull and crossbones, as indicated in the pirate’s instructions, the gallant pirate having inconsiderately died before completing the plan. It was generally held to be useless until Vernon Winslowe, a descendant of the pirate chief, having lost all his money, decided to institute a search for the treasure on strictly business lines. He gathered a very assorted little party around him, the members of which contributed the needful cash.

An eccentric millionaire, and a pretty little reporter (Annette Benson) were Included in the party, and are two of the principal characters of the film. They sailed on the millionaire’s yacht, and, en route, were joined by Frank Sullivan, who had previously cheated Winslowe out of some money, and who had been engaged to the little newspaper girl, leaving her with a good deal of her capital in his possession a day or so before the wedding was to have taken place. Sullivan stowed away on the vessel, and when he made his appearance he claimed that the treasure hunt was a fraud, as the plan on which it was based did not contain adequate directions. In short, the spot where it was hidden was not marked with a skull and crossbones. When Sullivan last saw the map in Winslowe’s rooms it certainly did not contain a skull and crossbones, but Winslowe conveniently added them. He confessed this to the reporter, with whom he had fallen in love, but added that he honestly believed that there was a treasure. Thus the plot develops. Sullivan goes mad, and on the island is a constant menace. The discovery of the treasure, and also the attack on the party by the armed madman, who carries off Winslowe's girl, makes a thrilling story. She is rescued by Winslowe, however, and one is led to assume that all live happily ever afterward. Ivor Novello makes a handsome and dashing young lead, and he is well supported by a strong cast. Excellent photography is contained in many of the island scenes. "Hot Quite Decent" is the name of the second feature. Featuring Louise Dresser and that charming little actress, June Collyer, it portrays the fight put up by an old actress to save her daughter from the clutches of an unscrupulous man. A Majestic Magazine, and an Eve’s Review, are also included in a very interesting programme. Mr. Whiteford Waugh and his orchestra complete an excellent entertainment.