CHARGED WITH MURDER.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16530, 14 September 1921, Page 5

CHARGED WITH MURDER.

THE ARBUCKLE SENSATION, By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association NEW YORK, September 12. Arbuckle has been formally charged with murder in the- Police Court at San Francisco. (A cable message published yesterday stated that developments following upon the mysterious death of Virginia. Rappo, a pretty movie actress, had caused a sensation. Her death occurred after a supper party in Roscoe (“ Fatty ”) Arbuckle's rooms in San Francisco. Arbuckle told the police that several people attended the party, including Miss Rappe, who, after having several drinks, became hysterical and a physician was called in, but she died. On the other hand, other women members of the party give quite a different version, which Arbuckle denies.) ARBUCKLE FILMS BARRED. NEW YORK, September 12. Mrs Minta Durfee Arbuckle, wife of the actor, from whom she voluntarily separated last year under an agreement whereby each can live as he or she wishes, declared that Arbuckle was innocent, and she would proceed to California to be near him until he was cleared. A movement to bar Arbuckle films has spread throughout New York theatres. Owners are voluntarily excluding them from programmes. SAN FRANCISCO, September 12. The Arbuckle case, which promises to TSecome one of the most Sensational, as yet offers little definite information. The nurse and a friend of the actress swore the charge of murder, but details of the evidence are not available. Irresponsible newspapers publish harrowing descriptions of an alleged assault, moss of which are hardly printable. Arbuckle has l>een held over without bail mntil Friday. It is stated that the police sequestered persons who participated in the fatal party, and who will testify. Miss Rappo’s torn garments n*e believed to be held by the prosecution, which appears to be taking every imaginable step to prevent Arbuckle’s friends from influencing the course the State will take. Miss Rappe, who was twenty-five years old. was the designer of gowns and models before entering the moving pictures. She was engaged to marry a New York movie director, who at one time directed the Arbuckle pictures. Arbuckle is aged thirty-four, and was a juvenile actor when eight. He continued as a burlesque actor and dancer before entering the movies. Several theatres in Los Angeles have discontinued the exhibition of Arbuckle pictures;, while the Mayor of one small city lias ordered all theatres to discontinue tlrem until tho Arbuckle case is settled. INQUEST ADJOURNED. Reuter's Teiesrrams. NEW YORK. September 12. Arbuckle had recently completed a movie comedy -“Crazy to Marry.” which is now being cancelled all over the country by movie managers. The papers state that Miss Rappe’s former lover threatens to come to San Francisco and kill Arbuckle. The doctors agree that a ruptured bladder was the cause of Miss Rappe’s death. A. great crowd watched Arbuckle when taken to and from the Court handcuffed. He was remanded on a formal charge of murder. The inquest was adjourned after a session which rather favoured the accused.