Raffles **** (1930, Ronald Colman, Kay Francis, David Torrence, Bramwell Fletcher, Alison Skipworth) – Classic Movie Review 9,526

Ronald Colman’s suave charisma is perfect for E W Hornung’s cricketer and amateur cracksman A J Raffles in the crisp, fast moving and very entertaining 1930 first talkie version of the perennially popular crime mystery Raffles.

‘A Silk Hat Sinner! A Suave Love Saint! The Cavalier of Crime.’

Ronald Colman’s suave charisma is absolutely perfect for E W Hornung’s cricketer and amateur cracksman A J Raffles in director George Fitzmaurice’s crisp, fast moving and very entertaining 1930 first talkie version of the perennially popular crime mystery movie Raffles (after silents in 1917 and 1925). It is sleek, smooth and sophisticated entertainment from an entirely different, much posher era of both crime and movies.

The notorious jewel thief Raffles falls all over again for socialite Gwen Manders (Kay Francis), but later steals a necklace to help out her brother and his old chum Bunny Manders (Bramwell Fletcher) at Lady Melrose (Alison Skipworth)’s house party. Is Scotland Yard Inspector Mackenzie (David Torrence) clever enough to catch him?

It was closely remade as Raffles with another ideal actor in David Niven in 1939, even crediting Sidney Howard again for his witty screenplay, though this 1930 version still has the edge. Gregg Toland is director of photography on both Raffles films.

After various rows, original director Harry D’Abbadie D’Arrast was dismissed, replaced and uncredited.

Also in the cast are Frances Dade, Frederick Kerr, John Rogers, Wilson Benge, Virginia Bruce, Robert Adair, Edmund Breon and Florence Wix.

Raffles is directed by George Fitzmaurice, runs 72 minutes, is made by Samuel Goldwyn Productions, is released by United Artists, is written by Sidney Howard, is shot in black and white by George Barnes and Gregg Toland, is produced by Samuel Goldwyn, is scored by Hugo Riesenfeld (composer: stock music/ musical director), and is designed by William Cameron Menzies and Park French.

It is the last Samuel Goldwyn Productions movie to be shot simultaneously in silent and talkie versions.

Bette Davis screen tested for Gwen but Kay Francis won the role.

World War One French army fighter Henri Charles Armand d’Abbadie d’Arrast often found himself in conflict with his producers for his refusal to speed production, and after a sparse output departed Hollywood for Europe in 1933, where made his living at the roulette tables in Monte Carlo.

© Derek Winnert 2020 Classic Movie Review 9,526

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