Raffles

Raffles 1939 DVDRip x264

Moviecut—Raffles

This 1939 "Raffles" remake, specifically following in the footsteps of the 1930 early talkie, but also based on the character from literature and theatre, as well as still earlier film versions in 1917 and 1925, is a slight scenario, but it's affable enough. Suave, soft-spoken Englishman Ronald Colman from 1930 iteration is swapped out for the suave, soft-spoken Englishman David Niven this time around. The plot is developed a bit more here and the ending is slightly altered, probably to submit to the Hays Code, but, for the most part, the 1930 and 1939 films are barely distinguishable outside of the former's creaky early synchronized-sound recording. Gregg Toland even worked as cinematographer on both pictures and seemed to have tried to replicate some of the same shots, including of the amateur cracksman's first jewelry heist. I think the 1930 scene is actually the better, which might be because the all-time-great art director William Cameron Menzies also worked on that production. Visually, the most notable thing the 1939 one adds is the early television, which detectives at Scotland Yard use to watch a cricket match featuring Raffles. A first theft from a museum of a painting is also added. With the amateur cracksman leaving his own mark with his card and, then, sending the painting to a retired actress to help her financially, as she may now collect reward money for the painting's return--the conflation seems to be that his thievery is an art form. As in the 1930 film, too, the amateurism of the heists and the cricket are paralleled. That's why he returns the stolen goods instead of profiting off of them; it's a sport to him. Moreover, there's the romantic interest, with Olivia de Havilland in the supporting role this outing, who seems to become attracted not only to the man, but also the excitement of his criminal activities. The spectator may be expected to similarly swoon.

With the amount of epic classics that were released in 1939, it's no wonder why lighter films from that year have been forgotten about. Raffles, while not worthy of any Academy Award nominations, is a very cute and entertaining movie. David Niven stars as the title character, a wealthy and famous cricket player who moonlights as a burglar. There are several stealth scenes, and even though we know we shouldn't be rooting for the criminal, the fact that he's a compulsive thief rather than a desperate one makes us root for him instead of the police. Those scenes are quite suspenseful, so don't be surprised if you find yourself holding your breath until The Niv is home safe and sound. There are lots of twists and turns in this movie, so I'll skimp on the plot overview so nothing will be ruined for you. It's much better if you experience it during the moment. This is a quick-paced, clever, romantic, classy, overlooked old movie that, had it been released in 1938 or 1940, might have become a classic. Check it out if you like heist movies, or if you like leading men with double lives and lots of secrets. You might get a new celebrity boyfriend from this movie!

David Niven and Olivia de Havilland star in this 1939 scene-for- scene, word-for-word remake of a 1930 Ronald Colman/Kay Francis film, "Raffles." The reason for the similarity is that director Sam Wood had just finished what Victor Fleming started on the making of "Gone with the Wind" and wanted to make this next film as easy as possible. That's what Robert Osborne of TCM says. But this outing is still just as good with the always debonair Niven as the "amateur cracksman" – a jewel thief who robs from the filthy rich. Just why he ever started isn't explained. But no one really cares. He had decided to quit, when a good friend in need of funds due to a gambling debt asked him for the dough. He said he didn't have it but could get it. Niven comes across more personable than Colman though; Colman has a superior air about himself and David is so much more laid back and down to earth. But, this film does feel less romantic compared with more sensuous pairing of Kay and Ronald. Kay gave the former film more underlying sex appeal, then Olivia does here. Olivia is given very little to do. The primary action is David's latest theft at a swank party of the elite and how the law has been always trying to get him. "Raffles" of 1939 is a enjoyable little film showcasing the gentleman-actor David Niven at his best, entertaining you and stealing your wallet. Watch it!

The film was originally titled Colonel Rowan of Scotland Yard and Inspector MacKenzie played by Dudley Digges has the most interesting role as the wily detective as if he was modelled somewhat on Sherlock Holmes. David Niven is the dashing cricket player who also has a sideline as a gentleman thief. We actually see footage of Raffles playing cricket on a television screen. Raffles needs to pull a job for his friend Bunny who has money troubles. He has also fallen in love with Bunny's sister, Gwen (Olivia de Havilland) who figures out that Raffles might be a part time burglar. Raffles is spending a weekend with as a guest of Lord and Lady Melrose. A valuable necklace is the tempting prize but Scotland Yard also thinks the same and turn up to the mansion. I have read the Raffles book and saw the wonderful ITV adaptation in the 1970s. This is a poor version of Raffles. It is almost a pedestrian country house whodunit. As the film goes on, everyone seems to have suspected Raffles as the gentleman thief, there is no suspense. This is just an example of a film stifled by the Hays Code.

"Raffles" seems like it was a quickie - it doesn't last very long and it has an abrupt ending. Nevertheless, "Raffles" features two dazzling stars - David Niven, well-cast as an upper class thief, and Olivia de Havilland as the beautiful object of his affections. One interesting thing about this film - which made me realize that I had seen it years before - is the early television in the inspector's office at the beginning of the movie. I regret not seeing the Ronald Colman version. In this one, Niven is charming, handsome, and debonair as a man who seems to steal as a lark and then somehow returns the merchandise, to the frustration of the police. At the film's start, he steals a valuable painting, sends it to his favorite retired actress, and has her return it for the reward money. But when he tries to steal a necklace to help a friend replace money he gambled away before an audit takes place, he runs into another crook attempting to do the same thing, and complications arise. There are some suspenseful moments toward the end of the movie, but all in all, it goes by too quickly, and the character of Raffles isn't sufficiently developed. It's almost as if the movie starts in the middle and ends before it's really over. De Havilland is absolutely beautiful, even if a couple of her hats are outrageous. She's really just doing an average ingénue role here. "Raffles" debuted in the U.S. just before "Gone With the Wind," and she probably made it right afterward. Entertaining but disappointing.

Wow, I was really underwhelmed by this film. Despite starring David Niven and Olivia de Havilland, this was an amazingly uninspired film. After all, the story is about a rich society thief who is a champion cricket player--you'd think there'd be more action and exotic or fashionable locales. But, instead, the film is very, very stagnant and the majority of the action (such as it is) takes place in a manor home where Raffles is staying along with a few other rich swells. It was so turgid, that at times I found myself falling asleep. I kept waiting and hoping for a fist fight or SOMETHING, but instead the film was very talky and all so well-mannered. A very uninspired script with an abrupt and senseless ending as well as lackluster direction conspired to keep this film in the category of 'mediocre', but it's still watchable due to the screen presence of its stars--especially the always lovely Miss de Havilland.

Cricketer A.J. Raffles is really a jewel thief nicknamed "The Amateur Cracksman" by the press. While staying at the country house of Lord and Lady Melrose, he plans to steal her jewels to pay off his friend Bunny's gambling debts. However, he encounters problems from another crooks trying to steal the jewels and Scotland Yard inspector McKenzie. An almost scene-by-scene remake of the 1930 Ronald Colman version, this is inferior to the previous film but is still entertaining. David Niven, while not as good as Colman, is still good, while Olivia de Havilland looks lovely as his love interest. Dudley Digges is good as the policeman, May Whitty appears as a dowager and E.E. Clive plays Raffles' butler. The Victor Young score is lovely as well. There's also a rather startling scene where the policemen start watching a cricket match on a TV!

In order to enjoy either version of Raffles, the Ronald Colman or this one, you have to be a fan of either Colman or David Niven in this case. If you don't like either, Raffles will not be your cup of English tea. Fortunately I like both of them. David Niven probably carried more films on his personal charm than any other player I know. Even more than Ronald Colman did, because Colman had the advantage of getting better scripts. This remake that Sam Goldwyn did of his own film had little change in it from the Colman version. David Niven is the debonair cricket player who has a nice sideline as a cat burglar. He's so good, he leaves taunting notes for Scotland Yard, particularly at Inspector Dudley Digges who's in charge of trying to catch him. The last job he does is for his friend Douglas Walton who has embezzled some mess company funds to gamble with and there's an audit come due. Raffles is a pal good and true and offers to help though Walton does not know about his sideline. Olivia DeHavilland is Walton's sister who has little to do but sit around and look beautiful. She had hoped that on the strength of her performance in Gone With the Wind, Warner Brothers would giver her more substantial material. That was not to be even on a loan out to Sam Goldwyn. Despite it being lightweight stuff, Raffles is a key film for David Niven. He was at last given first billing in a film. But as soon as the film was done, he was back to Great Britain to serve in the Armed Forces. Niven made two films in uniform, Spitfire and The Way Ahead, and also saw some combat. He wouldn't see Hollywood again for many years. Raffles is nice entertainment, but it helps to be a fan of David Niven.