The Runaway Bride

The Runaway Bride is a 1930 American pre-Code crime film starring Mary Astor, Lloyd Hughes, and Paul Hurst. It was directed by Donald Crisp, from a screenplay by Jane Murfin, adapted from the play Cooking Her Goose by H. H. Van Loan and Lolita Ann Westman. The film is preserved in the Library of Congress collection. Plot Mary Gray (Mary Astor) and Dick Mercer (David Newell) elope, since Mary's wealthy parents would never approve of the marriage. In Atlantic City, they arrive at the humble efficiency hotel room Mary has taken. Dick is not impressed, and would prefer they stay in a fancier hotel. An argument ensues over whether Dick should remain an idle playboy or go to work. Mary decides to call it off, but Dick refuses to let her, locking her in the room while he goes for a minister. Meanwhile, Red Dugan (Maurice Black) robs a jewelry store and slips into Mary's room (formerly his). Dugan hides a stolen necklace in Mary's handbag, before he and a policeman fatally shoot each other.