Raffles, the Amateur Cracksman

For other film versions, see Raffles (1925 film), Raffles (1930 film) and Raffles (1939 film)

Raffles, the Amateur Cracksman
1917 theatrical poster
Directed by	George Irving
Produced by	L. Lawrence Weber
Written by	Anthony P. Kelly (scenario)
Based on	The Amateur Cracksman  by E. W. Hornung
Starring	John Barrymore Evelyn Brent Frank Morgan Mike Donlin Christine Mayo
Cinematography	Harry B. Harris
Production company	Hyclass Producing Company L. Lawrence Weber Photo Dramas
Distributed by	Hiller & Wilk (on State's Rights basis)
Release dates	December 1917 (1917-12)
Running time	70 minutes
Country	United States
Language	Silent (English intertitles)

Raffles, the Amateur Cracksman is a 1917 American silent film starring John Barrymore and Evelyn Brent. The movie also co-stars Frank Morgan and Mike Donlin, and was directed by George Irving.^[1] The film has been released on DVD.^[1]

Plot

As described in a film magazine,^[2] A. J. Raffles (Barrymore), a highly educated crook with entree to the best social circles, steals for the love of it and the thrill of the chase, enjoying outwitting the police and amateur detectives. An international swindler who has possession of a priceless ruby takes passage on a steamship and Raffles does likewise. Miles from land, Raffles determines that the swindler has hidden the gem in a cavity in his shoe. After getting the ruby, Raffles empties a cartridge from his revolver and substitutes the ruby in its place. There is an outcry over the theft, and on searching Raffles a ship's officer takes the gun and removes all of the cartridges. Raffles grabs the cartridges and places them in his mouth and then jumps overboard, swimming to land. During his escape he was seen by Mrs. Vidal (Mayo), an English society woman. Raffles reappears in London, mixing with the upper class, where he is recognized by Mrs. Vidal. She falls in love with him, and attempts to force him to love her by threatening to tell of his past theft. Raffles, who is in love with Gwendolyn (Adams), defies her. The famous jewels of Lady Melrose (Brundage) disappear while Raffles is a guest of the house. Mrs. Vidal immediately suspects that Raffles is the thief and again threatens to expose him, but he laughs at her. Captain Bedford (Perry), an amateur detective, declares that he will find the thief responsible for the Melrose robbery and even makes a bet with Raffles that the thief will be arrested. Bedford is sure that Raffles is the thief. Raffles then uses some ingenious methods to get the Melrose jewelry out of his possession, but still have them at his disposal when needed. Finally, but not until after he loses the bet, Bedford proves that Raffles is the thief and Raffles shows that he took them only to prevent a professional thief from stealing them.

Cast

• John Barrymore as A. J. Raffles
• Evelyn Brent as Ethel, Lord Amersteth's Daughter
• Frank Morgan as Bunny Manders
• Mike Donlin as Crawshay
• Christine Mayo as Mrs. Vidal
• Kathryn Adams as Gwendolyn, Lord Amersteth's Ward
• Dudley Hill as Crawley (credited as Dudley S. Hill)
• H. Cooper Cliffe as Lord Amersteth
• Mathilde Brundage as Lady Melrose (credited as Mrs. Mathilde Brundage)
• Frederick Perry as Captain Bedford
• Nita Allen as Marie

Production

The film is set in England and was filmed in Livingston, Staten Island, New York. There are scenes filmed at the Staten Island Cricket Club.

Reception

Like many American films of the time, Raffles, the Amateur Cracksman was subject to cuts by city and state film censorship boards. For example, the Chicago Board of Censors required cuts, in Reel 1, of the intertitle "Relieving such as he of their ill-gotten gain would be an ideal occupation", closeup of stealing pearl from slipper, hiding pearl in empty cartridge, Reel 2, the intertitle "He strolled through life taking from the rich to give to the poor", Reel 4, maid taking key from under pillow and stealing necklace, closeup views of tearing man's mouth(*these scenes are extant in surviving prints), two closeups of biting hand, Reel 5, two intertitles "Oh Bunny, there is nothing equal to it, your very life hangs in the balance" and "I've never stolen a farthing for personal gain. I've robbed the rich to give to the poor", Reel 6, the intertitle "Get the sparklers and be quick about it", and holdup scenes before and after.^[3]

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Raffles, the Amateur Cracksman.

• Raffles, the Amateur Cracksman at the Internet Movie Database
• Raffles, the Amateur Cracksman at AllMovie
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