Raffles (1939)

Man about town and First Class cricketer A.J. Raffles keeps himself solvent with daring robberies. Meeting Gwen from his schooldays and falling in love all over again, he spends the weekend... See full summary »

Director:

Sam Wood

Writers:

John Van Druten (screen play), Sidney Howard (screen play),

Stars:

David Niven, Olivia de Havilland, Dame May Whitty

Cast

Complete credited cast:
David Niven	...	Raffles
Olivia de Havilland	...	Gwen
Dame May Whitty	...	Lady Melrose
Dudley Digges	...	MacKenzie
Douglas Walton	...	Bunny
E.E. Clive	...	Barraclough
Lionel Pape	...	Lord Melrose
Peter Godfrey	...	Crawshay
Margaret Seddon	...	Maud Holden
Hilda Plowright	...	Wilson
Gilbert Emery	...	Bingham
Keith Hitchcock	...	Merton
Vesey O'Davoren	...	Butler
George Cathrey	...	Melrose Footman

Storyline

Man about town and First Class cricketer A.J. Raffles keeps himself solvent with daring robberies. Meeting Gwen from his schooldays and falling in love all over again, he spends the weekend with her parents, Lord and Lady Melrose. A necklace presents an irresistible temptation, but also in attendance is Scotland Yard's finest, finally on the trail.

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Plot Keywords:

scotland yard | necklace | love | estate | victorian era | 

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Genres:

Adventure | Comedy | Crime | Drama | History | Romance | Thriller

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

29 December 1939 (USA)

Also Known As:

Caballero y ladrón

Company Credits

Production Co:

Howard Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

72 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

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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Connections

Featured in The Jarvis Collection: Scotland Yard (1971)

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Soundtracks

"Fantaisie-Impromptu in C Sharp Minor, Op.66"
(1834) (uncredited)
Written by Frédéric Chopin
Played by an unidentified pianist at the party

User Reviews

A skilled thief and a detective go fishing studded

Do not know about you but as far as I am concerned, since a child I loved that movie heroes were marginal and risky to steal from the rich and give to the poor. The bank robbers, who without firing a shot-safes to leave the applause encouraged me, and anyone who exposed their lives to bring dignity to the people, deserved a good place on the corner of my heart grateful. Robin Hood was the prototype, and then met the Crimson Pirate the Captain Blood... up to this trendy Raffles who, besides being a famous cricketer, occasionally steals in an art gallery, in an ostentatious jewelry or steals any aristocratic lady a necklace, then, does one need to return, so, so, it will pay the reward. That is, a thief returner. Steal with elegance, but pretend.

And what we love about Raffles is that it is a handsome, elegant, well spoken, courteous and able to get along great even with the hound that pursues him ready to catch it as a good salmon. Meanwhile, love and ends up making her an accomplice to the same woman who, one day, also get into the heart of Hood and even the same Blood… ¿Do you can believe it? Well, I'll explain in case anyone is not up to date: David Niven ago Raffles "The thief cracksman" as he signs his messages of farewell. And Olivia de Havilland, the love with Erroll Flynn in "The Adventures of Robin Hood" and "Captain Blood", is now Gwen, the girl who wins back the heart of the hero of the day. And that is how: beauty, sweetness, consistency and accessibility. A donut with whipped cream.

The film is charming, curious tricks, sharpness of wit and some other really funny situation. The story catches without difficulty and you feel quite at ease with a handful of delightful characters. Believe me, is a detective film... and there's no bad, almost everyone is honest. No for nothing, the same story was made into a movie-in just 23 years-in four successful cases.