RUNAWAYS MARRY

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 872, 16 January 1930, Page 14

RUNAWAYS MARRY

BOY -AND “ABDUCTED” GIRL “I should think it is obviously the best thing for both these young people to get married as soon as they can," said Mr. Justice Swift at Maidstone Assizes when Georgfe Harvey, aged 19, of Lime Hill Road, Tunbridge Wells, was charged with abducting Joan Mary Shoobridge, the 15-years-old daughter of a schoolmaster of Shorenam. ifr. Thesiger, prosecuting, said the couple formed an attachment for each other. The girl got out of the house, met the boy, and they went together to a place where his motor-cycle was waiting. They then drove to London, caught the boat-train to Folkestone, and went to Boulogne, where they lived together as Mr. and Mrs. Harvey. Counsel defending said it was a piece of romantic folly on the part of two young people who had fallen very much in love with each other. It was stated that the parents were willing for the couple to be married. Mr. Justice Swift, in discharging Harvey, said to the girl’s father: “I am not going to send a gaol-bird to your daughter.” After the case the members of the two families met in the hall of the court. The boy and girl held each other’s hand.

LUNA PARK

OPEN EVERY EVENING Luna Park, Auckland’s centre of laughs and thrills, continues to grow iu popularity and is .attracting large crowds of merrymakers nightly. All the familiar shows and devices, such as :he caterpillar, jay wheel, goofy house, river caves, fun factory, scenic railway, dodg'em and whip are well patronised, while the several new side-shows which have been introduced are also exercising a powerful appeal. Outstanding among the new features are “Doc.” Hamilton, with his “Death on the Guillotine” act, and Miss May Staig in a motor-cycle sensation. Buses run to the park from the bottom of Queen Street.

BRITANNIA, THREE LAMPS

“The Studio Murder Mystery,” the chief attraction at the Britannia Theatre this evening, is an all-talking mystery-thriller that is sure to thrill everyone. The plot revolves around a mysterious niurder committed on the huge stages in a Hollywood studio. Every effort at detection fails, and the murderer is discovered almost by accident. A strong cast enacts this powerful story, including Doris Hill, Neil Hamilton, Frederic March and Chester Conklin. An excellent talkie supporting programme is being presented. J. Harold Murray and Norma Terris. Broadway musical comedy stars, now under contract to Fox Movietone, hardly had returned to Hollywood from New York, Murray from a vacation and Miss Terris from her honeymoon, before they were whisked away to Sacramento to begin making their next Fox Movietone production, “Cameo Kirby.”

EMPRESS, NEWTON

Two splendid films are being shown at the Empress Theatre, Newton. William Boyd, the popular actor who scored a success in “The Leatherneck,” and has gained a reputation for his work in outdoor roles, has another fine part in “High Voltage.” There is a strong supporting cast, including Owen Moore, Carol Lombard, anil Liana Ellis. The other picture, “The Shady Lady,” is an amusing comedy-drama with an appealing love interest, in which Phyllis Haver plays the leading part. Sound synchronisation effects are introduced, and some well-rendered vocal numbers are incorporated in the picture.

RIALTO, NEWMARKET

Two most enjoyable silent films constitute the new programme at the Rialto Theatre, Newmarket, for this evening. “The Silent House,” the first picture, is based on the famous stage thriller by Edgar Wallace, which was staged in Auckland by Maurice Moscovitch some time ago. It concerns the efforts of an unscrupulous Chinese to secure a fortune hidden in an English country house. Another Chinese, friend of the heir, counteracts every move, and many thrilling situations result. The second attraction is “The Runaway Princess,” an amusing tale from the Balkans of a princess who tries to escape from the formalities and worry of court life. Mady Christians and Paul Cavanagh are the stars. Nedda Harrigan, who has starred in many New York stage successes, including “The Merry Widow” and “Dracula,” has been assigned to one of the featured roles in Paramount’s “The Laughing Lady,” starring Ruth Chatterton. Clive Brook plays the male lead and Dorothy Hall, Lan Healy and Hubert Duce have other principal

PLAZA

NEW PROGRAMME TOMORROW The current programme at the Plaza Theatre will have its final screening this evening. The items include short talkie features and the big all-talking aviation drama, “Plight,” starring Jack Holt, Lila Lee and Ralph Graves. From tomorrow a new programme will be presented with two big talkies on the same bill. The first of these is a comedy entitled “Two Weeks Off.” Making the picture “Two Weeks Off,” in which she is co-starred with Jack Mulhall, was just play for Dorothy Mackaill. For during the whole story Miss Mackaill is supposed to be enjoying her vacation. This meant trips to the beach, on the various amusement concessions and devices at Southern California resorts and at other play spots. “Two Weeks Off” is the story of the romance of a romantic young girl who spends her vacation at the seaside, and a young plumber who is mistaken for a movie actor. Miss Mackaill portrays the girl, and Mulhall is seen as the plumber. A splendid supporting cast includes Gertrude Astor. Eddie Gribbon, James Finlayson, Kate Price, Gerty Messenger, Dixie Gay and Jed Prouty. William Beaudine, noted for his comedy screen offerings, directed.

ST. JAMES

SUCCESS OF “THE GOLD DIGGERS" The “gold-digging” adventures of four Broadway stage girls fc-rm the absorbing theme of “Gold Diggers of Broadway,” the entertaining all-talking and all-colour production, which is now being screened before large and enthusiastic audiences at the St. James Theatre. Winnie Lightner, who, by her delightfully irresponsible portrayals, has earned the title of “Screen Tom Boy ” plays the leading role as one of the four girls, and gives a very fine performance. The film is notable for the number of novel and attractive dan« •» and vocal numbers, which have been incorporated, while spectacular stage settings have been used to good effect. Included in the imposing cast are Helen Foster, William Bakewe I, Nancy 'Wellford and Lilyari Tashman. The overture from “Orpheus,” items by \an and Schenck, an amusing comedy-drama, and a pleasing dance entitled “Serpentine,” by the Vitaphone Girls, are included in the programme.

PRINCE EDWARD

Colleen Moore’s first talking picture, “Smiling Irish Eyes,” continues to be shown at the Prince Edward Theatre. Miss Moore has been provided with a congenial role in the part of Kathleen O Connor, whose sweetheart, Rory O’Moore, a labourer in the peat bogs, displays considerable talent as a composer of love songs. Rory is asked to play before some Americans who are the guests of Sir Timothy Tyrone, his landlord, and they are so impressed with his skill that he is advised to go to New York, where he would be certain of a brilliant career. Kathleen pays the passage money to America, and the boy soon secures recognition of his ability. Meanwhile, Kathleen, who has received no news, and is unaware of his good fortune, is heartbroken, and follows him to New York. A bright supporting programme is being presented. One important player in “They Had to See Paris,” the Fox Movietone production, is “Lady,” a smoke-coloured Persian cat. “Lady” has performed before the camera for four years, but never before has she been threatened with punishment by a director, her owner, and three leading players, if she did not meouw naturally ~ into a long black thing called a “mike.” They Had to See Paris” introduces hack to the fold Will Rogers, who has been for so long on Broadway.

TIVOLI

“STRANGE CARGO” A great talking picture in every respect, “Strange Cargo,” a dramatic production, is the attraction at the Tivoli Theatre this evening. It is a murder mystery and the leading roles are in the hands of well-kndwn stage stars. Lee Patrick and George Barraud are featured among others in leading roles. A jolly party of strangely assorted people on a magnificent yacht — laughter, gaiety, an undercurrent of tension—and then swift murder! Who killed Sir Richard Barclay? Was it his jealous rival? A desperate anarchist? A Hindoo yogi? A fugitive expatriate doctor? A revenging brother? A thieving steward? —nil were aboard the strange yacht when the murder was committed —all had a motive and all acted strangely. Several shorter talkie items will presented on the same programme. The fine all-talking aviation drama, “Flight.” which has already delighted thousands of cinemagoers in Auckland, will commence a brief session at the Tivoli Theatre tomorrow.

BAND AT POINT CHEVALIER

-Vn enjoyable programme of music will be presented by the Municipal Band at Point Chevalier this eveningMany favourite numbers by both ban® and soloists will be given.