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Raffles Overview:

Raffles (1939) was a Adventure - Comedy Film directed by Sam Wood and produced by Samuel Goldwyn.

SYNOPSIS

Niven takes the Colman role as an adventurous British cricket star and amateur thief who baffles the best of Scotland Yard. In this version, Niven decides to give up crime when he falls in love with de Havilland. He returns a purloined necklace and arouses the suspicion of inspector Digges. The nimble Niven slips the trap, saves the day for a desperate friend, and makes off with his leading lady. A well-produced updating with a charming performance by Niven.

(Source: available at Amazon AMC Classic Movie Companion).

Raffles BlogHub Articles:

Fun Size Review: Raffles (1925)

By Movies, Silently on Aug 11, 2013 From Movies Silently

He is none of these things in this film. House Peters robs from the rich and gives to charity as Raffles. Ill-advised take on colorful material. Everything that made Raffles Raffles is stripped away. Staid, repetitive, slow take on the Raffles tale. The direction is dull, the acting ranges from mild... Read full article

Fun Size Review: Raffles the Amateur Cracksman (1917)

By Movies, Silently on Jun 20, 2013 From Movies Silently

John Barrymore is a gentleman crook out to steal a priceless necklace. Frank Morgan (aka, Oz the Great and Powerful) is his best pal Bunny. Yes, Bunny. A shady lady from John’s past threatens to ruin everything but our hero is clever and intrepid. Fun plot and story done in by plodding pace an... Read full article

Raffles (1917 & 1925) A Silent Film Review

By Movies, Silently on Feb 4, 2013 From Movies Silently

A.J. Raffles, played by John Barrymore, rejoices in yet another escape— and a priceless pearl. E.W. Hornung’s A.J. Raffles was the favored antihero of late Victorian adventure. He is a gentleman crook that robs from the rich and gives to the poor. No too unusual? Well, you see, the “poor” in... Read full article

Raffles (1930)

By Angela on Nov 13, 2012 From Hollywood Revue

The Amateur Cracksman is a pro at breaking into safes and making off with jewelery, but he always manages to stay out of reach of Scotland Yard. The real identity of the Amateur Cracksman is none other than A.J. Raffles (Ronald Colman).  Raffles has recently fallen in love with Gwen (Kay Francis) a... Read full article

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Raffles Quotes:

No Quote for this film.
Raffles Facts
David Niven was due to join the British Army but was given a 21-day grace period to finish his scenes for the movie. The production crew worked double time and filmed Niven's scenes first to comply with his obligation to start his military service.
Although the movie was based on the 1899 novel by E.W. Hornung, he also co-wrote a play (called "Raffles, the Amateur Cracksman") with Eugene Wiley Presbrey, who staged it in New York. It opened on Broadway on 27 October 1903 with Clara Blandick as Gwendolyn, and it had 168 performances, closing in March, 1904.
A modern source also includes in the cast Olaf Hytten, Douglas Gordon, John Graham Spacey, Harry Allen and David Thursby, but they were not seen in the film.
Sidney Howard died before production began, and he may not have been involved in the preproduction planning. His 1930 screenplay was the basis of this screenplay and he is credited onscreen with John Van Druten for "screenplay."
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