Raffles, the Amateur Cracksman (1925 film)

Raffles, the Amateur Cracksman (1925) is a feature length silent adventure crime drama/romance motion picture starring House Peters, Miss DuPont, Hedda Hopper, Fred Esmelton, and Walter Long.

Raffles, the Amateur Cracksman
1925 theatrical poster
Directed byKing Baggot
Written byHarvey F. Thew
Based onThe Amateur Cracksman
1899 novel
by E. W. Hornung
Eugene Wiley Presbrey (1906 play)
Produced byUniversal Jewel (production company)
StarringHouse Peters
Miss DuPont
Hedda Hopper
Fred Esmelton
Walter Long
CinematographyCharles J. Stumar
Distributed byUniversal Pictures
Release date
  • May 24, 1925 (1925-05-24)
Running time
60 min. (6 reels)
CountryUnited States
LanguageSilent (English intertitles)

Directed by King Baggot and produced by Carl Laemmle's Universal Pictures, the screenplay was adapted by Harvey F. Thew from the play by Eugene W. Presbrey and the 1899 short story collection, The Amateur Cracksman, by E.W. Hornung.[1]

Background

The play on which the film was based was written by E.W. Hornung and Eugene Presbrey. A successful production played at the Princess Theatre in New York from 27 October 1903 for 168 performances before touring. Raffles was played by Kyrle Bellew and Manders by Stanton Elliot.[2]

Plot

Raffles (played by House Peters) is an English gentleman with a secret life—he is the notorious jewel thief known as "The Amateur Cracksman." While sailing from India to England accompanied by his friend, Bunny Manners (played by Freeman Wood), it is rumored that the infamous cracksman is aboard ship. Raffles warns a lady passenger to keep an eye on her necklace, which is stolen soon afterward. Although a search reveals no evidence, the necklace is returned upon reaching London.

Lord Amersteth (played by Winter Hall) and his wife, Lady Amersteth (played by Kate Lester), are having a party at their home and Raffles attends. Another guest, noted criminologist Captain Bedford (played by Fred Esmelton), makes the assertion that a very valuable string of pearls cannot be stolen. Encouraged by this, Raffles steals it.

He has also stolen the heart of Gwendolyn Amersteth (played by Miss DuPont), the daughter of his hosts. Capt. Bedford finally captures him, but he escapes with Gwendolyn's help and they run away to be married. Raffles returns the pearls and promises to retire from being a burglar.

Cast

References
  1. Progressive Silent Film List: Raffles, the Amateur Cracksman at silentera.com
  2. Lachman, Marvin (2014). The villainous stage : crime plays on Broadway and in the West End. McFarland. ISBN 978-0-7864-9534-4. OCLC 903807427.


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