Raffles (1939 film)

Raffles is a 1939 American crime comedy film starring David Niven and Olivia de Havilland, and is one of several film adaptations of an 1899 short story collection by E. W. Hornung, The Amateur Cracksman.

Raffles
Directed bySam Wood
Written byJohn Van Druten
Sidney Howard
Based onThe Amateur Cracksman
1899 short story collection
by E. W. Hornung
Produced bySamuel Goldwyn
StarringDavid Niven
Olivia de Havilland
CinematographyGregg Toland
Edited bySherman Todd
Music byVictor Young
Production
company
Distributed byUnited Artists
Release date
December 29, 1939 (1939-12-29)
Running time
72 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Plot

A.J. Raffles, the celebrated cricketer, is welcomed in the parlours and country estates of high society. This circumstance he uses to his advantage in his secret career as "The Amateur Cracksman", a master burglar and safecracker who remains always one step ahead of Scotland Yard. An old school friend, Bunny Manders, reintroduces Raffles to his sister, Gwen, with whom Raffles had been infatuated a decade ago. Raffles falls in love with her all over again, and she with him. When Bunny confides a crushing gambling debt over which he is considering suicide, Raffles assures him the money can be obtained. He plans to accept a weekend invitation to the country house of Lord and Lady Melrose; Lady Melrose's famous jewelry can easily solve Bunny's problem. However, another guest is Inspector MacKenzie incognito, who strongly suspects Raffles of being the Cracksman. Raffles plots to frame a petty criminal with the theft, but keep the jewelry for himself.

Cast

Source material

There are several differences from Hornung's short stories. The plot takes inspiration from the 1898 short story "Gentlemen and Players," in its inclusion of Inspector Mackenzie, a country house setting, and the centrality of a necklace theft. Bunny Manders, described as an only child in the series, has a sister named Gwen, who is Raffles' love interest.

The 1939 movie was based heavily on the 1930 film Raffles starring Ronald Colman, which was reported at the time as part of a larger strategy to remake Colman films starring Niven.[1]

Production history

Screenplay

Sidney Howard was given credit as co-author of the screenplay with John Van Druten, due to his having been the writer of the 1930 version.[2] Howard had died four months prior to the release of this film. F. Scott Fitzgerald may also have worked on the script, as he is mentioned by Niven in his 2nd memoir, but Niven suggests Fitzgerald may actually have been working on his final novel - The Last Tycoon[3]

Filming

Olivia de Havilland, under contract with Warner Brothers at the time, was "lent" to Goldwyn for the film in April 1939.[4][5]

As World War II began during filming, and Niven was a British citizen, it was rumored that the project would have to be suspended if Niven were called up for the army.[6][7] Due to an accelerated schedule, by October 1939, filming had been completed and Niven left for England.[8][9] It was rumored that there would be a sequel if Niven returned from England, but this film was not made.[10]

References
  1. "Niven Becomes Star In Goldwyn Series". The Hollywood Reporter. 48 (11): 3. October 17, 1938 – via ProQuest.
  2. "Raffles (1939)". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved 2021-07-11.
  3. "Notes for Raffles (1939)". tcm.com. Retrieved 2007-11-26.
  4. Filmer, Fay (1939-06-03). "David Niven and Olivia de Havilland in "Raffles"". Picture Show. London. 41 (1049): 3.
  5. "Pictures: Olivia for 'Raffles'". Variety. Los Angeles. 134 (6): 5. April 19, 1939 – via ProQuest.
  6. "'Raffles' New Start With David Niven". The Hollywood Reporter. 53 (34): 1. Sep 7, 1939 – via ProQuest.
  7. Graham, Sheila (September 8, 1939). "Hollywood Today: David Niven to Carry On With 'Raffles' Film Despite Impending Recall to England and War". The Hartford Courant: 6 – via ProQuest.
  8. "Wood Rushing Niven". The Hollywood Reporter. 54 (12): 7. October 10, 1939 – via ProQuest.
  9. "'Raffles' Ended, Niven Pulls Out For England". The Hollywood Reporter. 54 (25): 3. October 25, 1939 – via ProQuest.
  10. "A "Raffles" Sequel". Boxoffice. New York. 35 (4): 18d. November 4, 1939 – via ProQuest.
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